American West Metals reports outstanding high-grade copper assay results from the Cyclone deposit at its Storm Project, Nunavut, signaling strong resource expansion potential and advancing mine development plans.
- Diamond drilling reveals copper grades up to 27.3% Cu near surface
- Significant intersections extend beyond current open-pit designs
- Reverse Circulation drilling supports resource upgrade across multiple deposits
- JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate update and Pre-Feasibility Study underway
- US government engagement intensifies for West Desert Project supply chain development
Outstanding Copper Grades at Cyclone Deposit
American West Metals Limited (ASX – AW1) has announced a series of impressive assay results from its ongoing drilling campaign at the Cyclone copper deposit, part of the broader Storm Project located on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The latest diamond drilling has intersected thick, high-grade copper mineralisation close to surface, with individual assays reaching an exceptional 27.3% copper. These results not only confirm the quality of the existing resource but also highlight significant potential to expand the current open-pit mine designs.
Drill hole PFS-002, for example, returned 12.1 meters at 5.6% copper and 21 grams per tonne silver starting from 70 meters depth, including a remarkable 0.5 meters at 27.3% copper. Meanwhile, PFS-001 intersected 18.2 meters at 1.1% copper from just 30 meters downhole, with mineralisation extending beyond the current pit boundaries. These findings underscore the continuity and robustness of the Cyclone deposit’s mineralisation.
Resource Expansion Supported by Reverse Circulation Drilling
Complementing the diamond drilling, Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling across the Cyclone, Chinook, Thunder, and Cirrus deposits continues to yield thick copper intervals, reinforcing the potential for a resource upgrade. The RC results have consistently intersected copper sulphides both within and outside the existing resource envelopes, suggesting that the Storm Project’s mineral inventory could grow substantially with further drilling.
American West Metals is actively progressing an updated JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Storm Project, incorporating these new assay results. This update will be followed by a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) aimed at evaluating the economic viability and development pathways for a potential mine at Storm.
Advancing Mine Development and Strategic US Engagement
Beyond exploration, the company is advancing multiple mine development workstreams, including metallurgical testing, geotechnical assessments, and environmental studies. Notably, American West Metals is intensifying its engagement with US government agencies to support the West Desert Project in Utah, a complementary asset in its portfolio. This includes a scheduled meeting with the Governor of Utah, reflecting the strategic importance of building a domestic supply chain for critical metals in North America.
Managing Director Dave O’Neill emphasized the significance of these results, stating that the high-grade, near-surface copper mineralisation at Cyclone enhances the project’s development and expansion prospects. He also highlighted the recognition by Canadian government bodies of Storm’s potential as a near-term copper development, underscoring the project’s alignment with global critical metal supply priorities.
Environmental and Permitting Progress
Environmental assessments are underway, encompassing flora and fauna surveys, marine studies, water quality monitoring, and geochemical evaluations. These efforts aim to ensure that the project meets stringent environmental standards and supports sustainable mining practices. Permitting activities continue in parallel, positioning the company to advance towards development decisions as more data becomes available.
With assays pending for remaining drill holes and ongoing feasibility work, American West Metals is poised to deliver further updates that could reshape the outlook for copper supply from this Arctic region.
Bottom Line?
As American West Metals advances its resource upgrade and feasibility studies, the Storm Project is emerging as a compelling near-term copper development with strategic North American supply chain implications.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assay results influence the updated Mineral Resource Estimate and mine plan?
- What are the potential geotechnical constraints on pit slope design given the new drilling data?
- How might US government engagement accelerate development timelines or funding for the West Desert Project?