Copper Grades Up to 7.71% Define Diablo’s Phoenix Project Drill Targets
Diablo Resources has identified significant high-grade copper and silver mineralisation at its Phoenix Copper Project in the US, setting the stage for its inaugural drilling campaign in Q3 2025.
- High-grade copper up to 7.71% and silver up to 92 g/t in rock samples
- Three key prospects – Philadelphia, Trenton, and Fair Dinkum
- Project located near producing Lisbon Valley Copper Mine in Utah/Colorado
- Maiden drilling program planned for Q3 2025 with permits submitted
- Exploration includes geological mapping, pXRF surveys, and rock sampling
Strategic Location and Project Overview
Diablo Resources Ltd (ASX, DBO) has made a compelling case for its Phoenix Copper Project, situated along strike from the operating Lisbon Valley Copper Mine in the prolific Lisbon Valley Mining District straddling Utah and Colorado. The project covers 292 unpatented lode claims over 23.6 square kilometres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, offering year-round access and proximity to established copper operations.
Encouraging Exploration Results
Recent exploration activities, including detailed geological mapping, handheld portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) surveys, and targeted rock sampling, have yielded high-grade copper and silver results. At the Trenton Prospect within the CC Claim Block, grab samples returned copper grades as high as 7.71% and silver up to 37 grams per tonne, with an average copper grade of 2.53% across multiple samples. Similarly, the Fair Dinkum Prospect in the Stateline Claim Block produced samples with copper up to 2.76% and silver reaching 92 grams per tonne.
Advancing Towards Drilling
These promising surface results complement previously reported high-grade samples at the Philadelphia Prospect, collectively defining robust drill targets. Notably, no prior drilling has been conducted at Trenton or Fair Dinkum, underscoring the potential for new discoveries. Diablo has submitted drill permits to the BLM for all three priority prospects and is actively reviewing contractor proposals, aiming to commence its maiden drilling program in the third quarter of 2025.
Exploration Potential and Market Implications
The geological setting of the Phoenix Project, characterized by sediment-hosted copper mineralisation within structurally controlled Paleozoic formations, mirrors that of the nearby Lisbon Valley Mine. This similarity enhances the prospectivity of Diablo’s claims. The company’s swift progression from acquisition to drill permit submission within six months reflects a focused and efficient exploration strategy. Investors will be watching closely as drilling results will be pivotal in confirming the continuity and scale of mineralisation, which could significantly impact the project’s valuation and development trajectory.
Bottom Line?
With maiden drilling imminent, Diablo Resources is poised to transform promising surface anomalies into tangible resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will drilling confirm the continuity and extent of the high-grade copper mineralisation?
- How might the results influence Diablo’s resource estimates and project valuation?
- What are the timelines and logistics for the upcoming drilling campaign?
