High-Grade Copper Finds at Mt Isa North Could Signal New Mining Era
Antares Metals has reported striking rock chip assay results from its Mt Isa North project, revealing copper grades as high as 22.3% at Startle and 16.2% at Moonside, alongside promising gold values. These findings underscore the company’s advancing exploration efforts in a historically rich copper region.
- Rock chip assays up to 22.3% copper at Startle prospect
- Moonside samples show up to 16.2% copper and 1.0 g/t gold
- Multiple high-potential copper prospects identified across Mt Isa North
- Exploration ongoing with soil geochemistry and mapping underway
- Plans for further drilling at Surprise and Marvel prospects
Exploration Breakthroughs at Mt Isa North
Antares Metals Limited (ASX, AM5) has delivered a compelling update from its Mt Isa North Copper and Uranium Project in Queensland, revealing exceptionally high-grade copper mineralisation from recent rock chip sampling. The standout results include assays of up to 22.3% copper at the Startle prospect and 16.2% copper with accompanying gold values at Moonside, signalling robust potential for economic deposits in this historically prolific mining region.
Startle Prospect, A New Focus
Startle, located roughly 6km northeast of the Surprise Mine project, has emerged as a promising target following Antares’ initial reconnaissance. Despite limited prior exploration, recent fieldwork uncovered copper oxide mineralisation, predominantly malachite, with rock chip assays ranging from modest to a remarkable 22.3% copper. These results validate Startle’s potential to contribute significantly to the company’s regional copper portfolio.
Moonside Prospect, High-Grade Copper and Gold
At Moonside, Antares identified a multi-vein copper system extending over 240 metres at surface, with rock chip samples consistently exceeding 1.3% copper and peaking at 16.2%. Notably, one sample also returned 1.0 g/t gold, hinting at a broader hydrothermal system that could enhance the project’s value. The presence of associated elements such as bismuth, selenium, and tellurium further supports the complexity and potential scale of mineralisation.
Strategic Exploration and Future Plans
These encouraging results come as part of Antares’ systematic, geology-driven approach to exploration across multiple prospects within the Mt Isa North tenure. The company is actively ranking targets and conducting soil geochemical surveys to refine its understanding of subsurface mineralisation. Alongside Startle and Moonside, prospects such as Surprise and Marvel are earmarked for upcoming drilling campaigns aimed at confirming extensions and resource potential.
Chief Executive Officer Johan Lambrechts emphasised the significance of these early successes, noting that while the historic Mt Isa copper mine has closed, the region’s copper story is far from over. Antares is positioning itself to be a key player in the next chapter of copper discovery and development in this world-class mining district.
Bottom Line?
Antares Metals’ high-grade copper discoveries at Mt Isa North set the stage for a pivotal exploration phase that could reshape the region’s mining future.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming drilling at Surprise and Marvel confirm continuous mineralisation?
- How extensive is the hydrothermal system suggested by gold and trace elements at Moonside?
- What timeline can investors expect for resource estimation and potential development?