How High-Grade Copper at Fiery Creek Could Transform Aruma’s Prospects
Aruma Resources has intersected promising high-grade copper mineralisation in its first drilling campaign at the Fiery Creek Copper Project, signalling renewed potential in the Mt Isa copper belt after two decades of limited exploration.
- Maiden drilling at Piper Prospect yields up to 1.67% copper over 2 metres
- Six reverse circulation holes drilled targeting two key IP geophysical conductors
- Discovery of mineralised breccia zones and presence of Lady Loretta Formation
- Fiery Creek project underexplored for over 20 years with multiple untested targets
- Next steps include reprocessing geophysical data and 3D geological modelling
Renewed Exploration in a Historic Copper Belt
Aruma Resources Limited (ASX – AAJ) has delivered encouraging results from its maiden drilling program at the Fiery Creek Copper Project, located within the prolific Mt Isa copper belt in northern Queensland. This first phase of reverse circulation drilling targeted the Piper Prospect, a priority area identified through a combination of historical data and recent geophysical surveys.
The program comprised six holes totaling 858 metres, designed to test beneath known surface copper anomalies and two significant induced polarisation (IP) conductors. The results confirmed the presence of high-grade copper mineralisation, including a standout intercept of 2 metres grading 1.67% copper, alongside broader zones of anomalous copper sulphides.
Geological Significance and Regional Context
Importantly, the drilling intersected mineralised breccia zones and visual chalcopyrite, indicative of a robust copper system. The presence of the Lady Loretta Formation, a geological unit known to host significant base metal deposits such as Glencore’s Lady Loretta zinc-lead-silver mine, adds weight to the prospectivity of the area. This formation’s identification within the project area suggests potential for not only copper but also zinc and lead mineralisation.
Fiery Creek has seen limited systematic exploration for over 20 years, despite its location within a world-class metallogenic province. Previous drilling by MIM Exploration in the 1990s returned wide zones of copper mineralisation, but Aruma’s recent work is the first to integrate modern geophysical techniques with targeted drilling in this area.
Strategic Next Steps and Exploration Outlook
Building on these promising results, Aruma plans to reprocess existing IP geophysical data and develop a detailed 3D structural and geological model. This approach aims to refine target zones and guide follow-up drilling campaigns, focusing on both the northern and southern IP conductors identified at Piper.
Managing Director Grant Ferguson highlighted the significance of the findings, noting that the drilling validates the company’s exploration model and underscores Fiery Creek’s potential to host a significant mineralised system. The company’s methodical approach, combining historical insights with modern exploration tools, positions it well to unlock further value from this underexplored copper belt.
As Aruma advances its exploration efforts, the Fiery Creek Project could emerge as a key asset within its portfolio, which also includes copper and uranium projects in South Australia and Queensland, alongside gold, lithium, and rare earth element prospects in Western Australia.
Bottom Line?
Aruma’s maiden drilling success at Fiery Creek sets the stage for a deeper exploration push in a historically rich copper province.
Questions in the middle?
- What will reprocessed geophysical data reveal about the extent of mineralisation?
- How might the presence of the Lady Loretta Formation influence the discovery of other base metals?
- When can investors expect results from the planned second-phase drilling program?
