Southern Hemisphere Mining has revealed a promising discovery of high-grade oxide copper mineralisation at surface during drill pad preparation at its Ferro South prospect in Chile’s Llahuin Project. Preliminary readings suggest a robust near-surface copper system that could accelerate development plans.
- High-grade oxide copper mineralisation exposed at surface during drill pad clearing
- Preliminary pXRF readings indicate copper content up to 15%
- Discovery supports potential for shallow, low-strip ratio mineralisation
- Samples dispatched for laboratory assay with results pending
- Upcoming drilling to test continuity and link to nearby MT geophysical anomaly
Discovery at Ferro South
Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited (ASX – SUH) has announced a significant find of high-grade oxide copper mineralisation at surface while preparing a drill pad at its Ferro South prospect, part of the flagship Llahuin Copper-Gold-Molybdenum Project in central Chile. The discovery was made during mechanical clearing operations, revealing copper oxides such as chrysocolla and atacamite within fractured and altered host rock.
Preliminary field analysis using a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) device recorded copper concentrations as high as 15%, a notably elevated grade for near-surface oxide mineralisation. While these readings are preliminary and require laboratory confirmation, they reinforce the company’s interpretation of a robust, shallow copper system with potential for low-strip ratio mining.
Strategic Implications for Llahuin
The Ferro South prospect sits within the broader Llahuin project, which already hosts a substantial JORC-compliant resource base comprising copper, gold, and molybdenum. The near-surface nature of this newly discovered mineralisation could offer early-stage mining opportunities that complement the deeper porphyry systems currently targeted.
Chairman Mark Stowell highlighted the significance of the find, noting that uncovering high-grade copper simply through drill pad preparation validates the company’s targeting strategy and strengthens confidence in the prospect’s near-surface potential. This could translate into accelerated development timelines and improved project economics if confirmed by upcoming drilling and assays.
Next Steps and Exploration Plans
Samples collected from the exposed mineralisation have been sent to ALS Laboratories for detailed assay, with results expected in the coming weeks. The forthcoming drill program is designed to test the strike and depth continuity of the oxide copper zone, investigate structural controls on mineralisation, and explore potential connections to a recently identified magneto-telluric (MT) anomaly west of Ferro South.
This MT anomaly, characterized by low resistivity, may indicate additional mineralised zones, making the integration of geophysical and geological data critical for expanding the resource footprint. Southern Hemisphere’s comprehensive exploration approach, including geochemical footprint modelling and detailed geological mapping, underpins these efforts.
Technical Rigor and Resource Context
The announcement is supported by extensive technical data, including detailed sampling protocols, drilling techniques, and quality assurance measures consistent with industry standards. Competent Persons with relevant expertise have verified the exploration results and resource estimates, ensuring transparency and reliability.
Southern Hemisphere’s Llahuin project already boasts over 170 million tonnes of measured and indicated resources at an average copper equivalent grade of approximately 0.39%, positioning it as a significant copper-gold-molybdenum asset in Chile’s prolific mining landscape.
Bottom Line?
As assay results and drilling progress unfold, Southern Hemisphere’s Ferro South discovery could mark a pivotal step toward unlocking near-surface copper resources with promising economic potential.
Questions in the middle?
- What will laboratory assays reveal about the true grade and extent of the oxide copper mineralisation?
- How might the new MT anomaly west of Ferro South influence the overall resource model and exploration strategy?
- What are the implications of this discovery for the timing and scale of potential mining operations at Llahuin?