Somerset Minerals Extends Copper Mineralisation Over 150m at Coppermine
Somerset Minerals reports multiple wide zones of visible copper mineralisation from Phase-2 drilling at its Coppermine Project in Nunavut, Canada, with assays pending. The results extend known mineralisation over 150m below surface and set the stage for a major drilling scale-up.
- Phase-2 drilling at Jura North intersects extensive visible copper sulphides
- Multiple drill holes show intense mineralisation zones up to 88.4m long
- Mineralisation remains open along strike and down dip beyond 150m depth
- Ground geophysical surveys (IP and EM) completed to guide next drilling phase
- Assay results for initial holes expected within 1-2 weeks, remainder in 4-6 weeks
Phase-2 Drilling Success at Jura North
Somerset Minerals Limited (ASX – SMM) has announced encouraging results from its recent Phase-2 reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Jura North area of its flagship Coppermine Project in Nunavut, Canada. All six newly completed drill holes intersected wide zones of visible copper mineralisation, including multiple intense sulphide intervals, extending the mineralised system more than 150 metres below surface. These results build on a standout intercept from earlier drilling that returned 42.7 metres at 2.69% copper starting near surface.
Visible Mineralisation Highlights and Geophysical Work
Notable drill holes such as JURC008 and JURC012 revealed multiple zones of intense visible sulphides over intervals of 88.4 metres and 38.1 metres respectively, with pervasive chalcocite copper mineralisation observed. The company has completed induced polarisation (IP) and electromagnetic (EM) geophysical surveys over the area to test the depth and strike continuity of the mineralisation, with results expected shortly. These surveys, combined with the drilling data, will inform the design of a significantly expanded drilling program planned for the near future.
Project Scale and Regional Context
The Coppermine Project covers a vast 1,665 square kilometre landholding in the Kitikmeot region, positioning Somerset as the largest landholder in the area. The geology is highly prospective, hosting high-grade copper mineralisation styles analogous to historic copper districts such as Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. The project includes multiple priority targets across four districts, with recent drilling confirming continuity and potential thickening of mineralisation at depth.
Pending Assays and Next Steps
While visual estimates of mineralisation are promising, Somerset cautions that laboratory assays are required to confirm grades and widths. Assay results for the first two holes of the Phase-2 program are expected within 1-2 weeks, with the remainder anticipated over the following 4-6 weeks. The company plans to leverage these results alongside geophysical data to accelerate exploration and resource definition, aiming to unlock value amid a tightening global copper market.
Exploration Outlook
Somerset’s Managing Director, Chris Hansen, emphasised the growing scale of the system and the company's intention to materially increase drilling activity. The integration of historical data with new fieldwork, including rock chip sampling and structural mapping, will guide future exploration efforts. This comprehensive approach aims to delineate a significant copper resource in a region that has seen limited modern exploration since the 1960s.
Bottom Line?
Somerset’s upcoming assay results and geophysical data will be pivotal in shaping a major drilling expansion at Coppermine, potentially advancing the project’s copper resource profile significantly.
Questions in the middle?
- What grades and true widths will the pending assays confirm for the visible mineralisation zones?
- How will the geophysical survey results influence the targeting and scale of the next drilling phase?
- What is the timeline for Somerset to move from exploration to resource definition and potential development?
