QMines Strikes Strong Sulphides in Diamond Drill at Sulphide City
QMines Limited reports promising visual sulphide mineralisation in the first diamond tail drill hole at Sulphide City, advancing its Develin Creek copper-zinc project resource upgrade.
- First diamond tail hole intersects broad semi-massive and massive sulphides
- Visible pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite confirm copper-zinc mineralisation continuity
- Diamond drilling overcomes challenging ground conditions faced by RC drilling
- Assay results expected in September 2025 to validate visual estimates
- Ongoing drilling supports strategy to upgrade inferred resources to indicated category
Diamond Drilling Breakthrough at Sulphide City
QMines Limited (ASX – QML) has reported a significant milestone in its Develin Creek Copper-Zinc Project with the first diamond tail drill hole (DCRD062) intersecting a broad zone of semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralisation. This includes abundant pyrite alongside visible chalcopyrite and sphalerite, key indicators of copper and zinc presence. The diamond tail successfully extended the initial reverse circulation (RC) precollar hole to its planned target depth, overcoming previous drilling challenges caused by water inflows and broken ground.
Context and Significance of the Findings
Sulphide City is a volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) system located about 90 kilometres northwest of Rockhampton, Queensland. The visual sulphide estimates from the diamond core reveal a substantial 21.54-metre interval with approximately 80% pyrite, 2% chalcopyrite, and 6% sphalerite. These textures suggest remobilised sulphides, a hallmark of mature VMS deposits, indicating potential for a sizeable and economically viable mineralised zone.
While these visual observations are encouraging, QMines cautions that assay results, expected in September 2025, will provide the definitive measure of grade and economic potential. The diamond drilling program is part of a broader strategy to upgrade and expand the Develin Creek resource base, converting a large portion of inferred and unclassified material into the more confident indicated category.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
Executive Chairman Andrew Sparke highlighted the positive momentum generated by these early diamond drilling results, reinforcing confidence in the deposit's potential to extend beyond previously defined boundaries. Alongside ongoing RC drilling successes, the program aims to underpin an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Sulphide City, which will feed into future mine planning and development studies.
QMines is concurrently advancing metallurgical testwork, pit optimisation studies at the nearby Scorpion deposit, and a scoping study to evaluate integrating feed from multiple regional projects. An updated pre-feasibility study is slated for the first half of 2026, aiming to assess the economic viability of a larger-scale, integrated mining and processing operation in central Queensland.
Challenges and Cautionary Notes
The company notes that visual sulphide abundance estimates are preliminary and qualitative, emphasizing that assay results may materially differ. The true width of mineralisation remains undetermined, and the economic implications will depend on forthcoming chemical analyses and metallurgical outcomes. Nonetheless, the successful use of diamond tails to complete RC holes in difficult ground conditions marks a technical advancement for the project.
QMines’ comprehensive approach, including infill and step-out drilling, aims to validate historical data and test for new mineralisation extensions, particularly at depth. The company’s 100% ownership of the Develin Creek project and proximity to existing infrastructure further support its development ambitions.
Bottom Line?
As QMines awaits assay results, the Sulphide City diamond drilling success sets the stage for a pivotal resource upgrade and project advancement.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming assay results confirm the high-grade visual sulphide estimates?
- How will the resource upgrade impact the overall economics and mine planning at Develin Creek?
- What are the implications of integrating Sulphide City with nearby deposits in the planned pre-feasibility study?