Southern Porphyry Drilling Begins: Will FMR Unlock Chile’s Next Copper Discovery?
FMR Resources has initiated a 4,000-metre maiden diamond drilling program at the Southern Porphyry target within its Llahuin Project joint venture with Southern Hemisphere Mining in Chile. This program aims to validate geophysical models and explore a potentially large porphyry copper system.
- Maiden 4,000m diamond drilling program commenced at Southern Porphyry
- First drillhole planned to 1,600m with directional drilling capability
- Downhole geophysics to refine 3D models and identify new targets
- Assay results expected 4–6 weeks after each hole completion
- Southern Hemisphere Mining provides background on copper-gold-moly and manganese resources
Maiden Drilling Begins at Southern Porphyry
FMR Resources Limited (ASX – FMR) has officially commenced its maiden diamond drilling program at the Southern Porphyry target, part of the Llahuin Project joint venture with Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited (ASX – SUH) in Chile. This approximately 4,000-metre drilling campaign, expected to span three months, represents a critical step in testing the potential of a large-scale porphyry copper system identified through extensive geophysical modelling and surface mapping.
Strategic Approach to Exploration
The first drillhole, targeting the so-called Target A, is planned to reach a depth of 1,600 metres and is designed with directional drilling capabilities. This flexibility allows for multiple daughter holes from the same platform, enabling rapid follow-up if mineralisation is encountered. The drilling will initially test shallow induced polarisation and magnetotelluric geophysical features linked to the Santa Maria epithermal vein system before probing a deeper, high-amplitude magnetotelluric anomaly.
Complementing the drilling, downhole geophysical logging, including induced polarisation, electromagnetic conductivity, and spectral gamma, is planned for all holes. These measurements will refine existing 3D geophysical models and help identify new drill targets, enhancing the precision of ongoing exploration efforts.
Context Within the Llahuin Project
The Southern Porphyry target lies within a six-kilometre mineralised corridor of the Llahuin Project, which hosts multiple copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry centres. Surface mapping and re-logging of historic drillholes have revealed alteration zones and mineral assemblages typical of porphyry systems, suggesting a telescoped geological structure with epithermal mineralisation overlying a deeper porphyry core.
Southern Hemisphere Mining’s background on the Llahuin Project highlights significant measured and indicated resources, with copper equivalent grades around 0.4%, alongside gold and molybdenum. The company also holds the Los Pumas Manganese Project, which adds diversification to its portfolio.
Looking Ahead
Assay results from the first drillhole are anticipated 4 to 6 weeks after completion, with subsequent results to be released progressively. These findings will be pivotal in guiding follow-up drilling priorities, including potential additional holes at Target A or advancing to Target D, where further drilling is planned.
FMR’s Managing Director, Oliver Kiddie, emphasised the program’s importance in validating geophysical interpretations and advancing the understanding of the system. The integration of directional drilling and downhole geophysics is designed to maximise geological insights and enable swift responses to promising results.
Bottom Line?
As assay results start to flow, the market will be watching closely to see if this maiden drilling unlocks a new chapter in Chilean copper exploration.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the maiden drilling confirm the presence of economically viable copper mineralisation at Southern Porphyry?
- How will assay results influence the prioritisation of follow-up drilling targets within the Llahuin Project?
- What impact could successful exploration have on the valuation and strategic direction of both FMR Resources and Southern Hemisphere Mining?
