Mechanical Setback Pauses FMR Drilling as Copper Porphyry Target Remains Elusive
FMR Resources has reached 1,198.9 metres in drilling at its Southern Porphyry target in Chile, revealing encouraging copper mineralisation and potassic alteration above the main target zone. Despite a temporary pause due to mechanical issues, drilling is set to resume soon, reinforcing confidence in the project’s geological model.
- Drilling at Target A reached 1,198.9m with copper-bearing veins observed
- Strong potassic–biotite alteration detected above main magnetotelluric target
- Temporary drilling pause due to mechanical failure; replacement gear mobilised
- Geophysical data confirms drillhole remains above primary porphyry centre
- Ongoing geochemical and petrographic analyses to refine mineralisation understanding
Drilling Progress and Geological Insights
FMR Resources Limited (ASX, FMR) has provided a detailed update on its ongoing drilling campaign at the Southern Porphyry target within the Llahuin Project Joint Venture in Chile. The diamond drillhole at Target A has advanced to nearly 1,200 metres, intersecting copper-bearing quartz-sulphide veins accompanied by strong potassic and biotite alteration. These geological features are consistent with the upper alteration halo expected above a porphyry copper-gold system, validating the company’s geophysical and geochemical targeting models.
Despite a temporary halt caused by mechanical failure, replacement equipment has been mobilised, and drilling is expected to resume shortly to reach the planned depth of 1,600 metres. Importantly, ground conditions remain excellent, facilitating continued exploration progress.
Integration of Geophysical and Geological Data
FMR’s exploration team continues to integrate downhole geophysical measurements, including magnetic susceptibility and conductivity, with surface geophysical data such as magnetotelluric (MT) and induced polarisation (IP) surveys. This real-time calibration confirms that the current drillhole remains above the main MT conductive anomaly, interpreted as the core of the porphyry system. The presence of crackle breccia and anhydrite-pyrite veins at depth further supports proximity to the mineralising intrusion.
These observations reinforce the robustness of the 3D geophysical models and provide critical vectors for targeting the deeper, high-grade porphyry core.
Ongoing Analytical Work and Next Steps
Complementing the drilling, whole-rock geochemical analyses are underway to determine the origin of the anhydrite-pyrite veins and their relationship to the porphyry mineralisation event. Petrographic thin-section studies are also being conducted to characterise mineral textures and alteration zoning, which will enhance the geological framework of the system.
FMR plans to resume drilling imminently, continuing to the target depth while maintaining rigorous geological logging and sample collection. Downhole geophysical surveys will follow completion of drilling to further refine the understanding of the mineral system.
Strategic Significance within the Llahuin Project
The Southern Porphyry target lies within a six-kilometre mineralised corridor hosting multiple copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry centres. Surface mapping and historic drilling have identified alteration and mineralisation signatures typical of a telescoped porphyry-epithermal system. FMR’s current drilling campaign is a critical step in delineating the deeper porphyry core, which could significantly enhance the project’s resource potential.
Bottom Line?
With drilling set to resume and analytical results pending, FMR’s Southern Porphyry target remains a compelling copper exploration story to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming assay results confirm economically significant copper grades?
- How deep and extensive is the main porphyry core beneath the current drillhole?
- What implications will geochemical analyses have on refining the exploration model?
