Airborne MT Survey Defines 800m Diameter Porphyry System Extending Over 1km Deep at Mt. Olom
Tolu Minerals’ recent airborne magneto-telluric survey has identified a large, deep porphyry system at Mt. Olom, Papua New Guinea, supported by significant historical copper, molybdenum, gold, and silver mineralisation. The company plans systematic follow-up including drilling to unlock this promising copper-gold opportunity.
- Airborne MT survey defines 800m diameter porphyry system extending beyond 1km depth
- Historical rock chips show up to 33.53g/t gold, 0.33% copper, and 1.68% lead
- Two key geochemical targets identified, Cu-Mo porphyry and Au-Ag-base metal epithermal zones
- High conductivity sulphide drill target located 1.5km west at Kone prospect
- Exploration strategy accelerated with new road access enabling efficient follow-up
Transformative Geophysical Survey
Tolu Minerals Limited has announced compelling results from its recent airborne magneto-telluric (MT) survey over the Mt. Olom and Kone prospects in Papua New Guinea. The survey delineated a substantial porphyry system with an 800-metre surface footprint and extending to depths exceeding one kilometre. This discovery significantly enhances the prospectivity of the Tolukuma corridor, a region already known for its mineral potential.
Historical Sampling Validates Targets
Historical rock chip sampling within the Mt. Olom area reveals impressive grades, including gold assays up to 33.53 grams per tonne, copper concentrations reaching 0.33%, and lead values as high as 1.68%. Two prominent geochemical targets have been defined – a copper-molybdenum anomaly closely associated with the porphyry core, and a gold-silver-base metal anomaly interpreted as an epithermal system on the periphery. These findings provide a strong foundation for targeted exploration.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
The Mt. Olom and Kone prospects lie approximately 9 kilometres northwest of the Tolukuma mine, with new road infrastructure linking the site directly to Port Moresby. This access facilitates low-cost and efficient exploration activities, enabling Tolu Minerals to rapidly advance geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling, trenching, and ultimately drilling programs.
Kone Prospect Adds Depth to Pipeline
Approximately 1.5 kilometres west of Mt. Olom, the Kone prospect exhibits a high conductivity sulphide anomaly at around 300 metres depth, interpreted as a potential massive sulphide zone. Historical data describe Kone as a low-grade porphyry copper-molybdenum system with significant sulphide mineralisation, making it a compelling drill target to complement the Mt. Olom discovery.
Next Steps in Exploration
Tolu Minerals plans a systematic follow-up program including detailed geological mapping, comprehensive soil and rock chip sampling, trenching, and initial drilling to test the near-surface pyritic halo and central copper-molybdenum mineralised zones. These efforts aim to validate the geophysical and geochemical targets and potentially define a new resource that could underpin future mining operations.
Bottom Line?
With a large porphyry system now mapped and high-grade historical assays in hand, Tolu Minerals is poised to unlock significant value in Papua New Guinea’s Tolukuma corridor.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming drilling results confirm the size and grade of the Mt. Olom porphyry system?
- What is the timeline and likelihood of securing license renewals critical for ongoing exploration?
- How might fluctuating copper and gold prices impact the economic viability of these targets?
