Copper Veining and Potassic Alteration Confirmed Above Southern Porphyry Target
FMR Resources’ drilling at the Llahuin Project’s Southern Porphyry target has confirmed copper-bearing veining and potassic alteration above the main geophysical anomaly, reinforcing exploration models despite a temporary pause in drilling.
- Drilling reached 1,198.9m depth, encountering copper mineralisation
- Strong potassic–biotite alteration observed above main MT target zone
- Geophysical data confirms drillhole remains above primary porphyry centre
- Drilling temporarily paused due to mechanical failure; resumption imminent
- Ongoing geochemical and petrographic analyses to refine mineralisation understanding
Exploration Progress at Llahuin’s Southern Porphyry
FMR Resources Limited has provided a detailed update on its ongoing drilling campaign at Target A within the Southern Porphyry zone of the Llahuin Project, a joint venture with Southern Hemisphere Mining in Chile. The diamond drillhole has advanced to nearly 1,200 metres, revealing encouraging signs of copper mineralisation and potassic alteration consistent with the company’s geological and geophysical models.
Despite a temporary halt caused by mechanical issues, the drillhole remains in excellent ground conditions and is positioned above the main magnetotelluric (MT) anomaly that defines the core porphyry target. This positioning is critical as it suggests the drill has yet to penetrate the primary mineralised intrusion, preserving the potential for significant discoveries at greater depths.
Geological Validation and Analytical Work
Core logging has identified copper-bearing quartz-sulphide veins accompanied by biotite and potassic alteration; hallmarks of porphyry copper systems. These observations align closely with the 3D geophysical models integrating induced polarisation, magnetics, and MT data, reinforcing confidence in the targeting strategy. The presence of anhydrite–pyrite veins and crackle breccia structures further supports proximity to a mineralising porphyry core.
Complementing the drilling, whole-rock geochemical analyses and thin-section petrographic studies are underway to clarify the origin and timing of alteration events. Distinguishing hydrothermal anhydrite linked to porphyry mineralisation from sedimentary variants will provide key vectors for future drilling and resource definition.
Context Within the Llahuin Project
The Llahuin Project hosts substantial JORC-compliant copper-gold-molybdenum resources, with measured and indicated resources exceeding 170 million tonnes at a copper equivalent grade near 0.4%. The Southern Porphyry target lies within a six-kilometre mineralised corridor featuring multiple porphyry centres, making it a highly prospective area for further resource growth.
FMR’s update confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning previous resource estimates remain valid, with no material changes reported. The company continues to integrate new geophysical data and downhole measurements to refine its understanding of the system’s geometry and mineralisation pathways.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Drilling is expected to resume imminently with replacement equipment mobilised to site, aiming to reach the planned 1,600-metre depth. Further assay results and geological interpretations will be reported as they become available, potentially unlocking new insights into the scale and grade of the mineralisation.
For investors and industry watchers, the ongoing validation of exploration models and the methodical approach to integrating geological, geochemical, and geophysical data underscore the project’s potential to contribute meaningfully to copper supply amid growing demand for battery and critical metals.
Bottom Line?
As drilling recommences, all eyes will be on assay results that could unlock the next chapter of Llahuin’s copper story.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the deeper drilling intersect the main porphyry core and higher-grade mineralisation?
- How will geochemical analyses of anhydrite veins influence future targeting strategies?
- What impact might assay results have on resource estimates and project valuation?
