Encounter Resources’ recent drilling at the Haddon prospect reveals a substantial copper anomaly with strong silver mineralisation, setting the stage for deeper exploration in 2026.
- Nine-hole reverse circulation drilling identifies 700m x 700m copper anomaly
- Strong silver anomalism coincides with major regional fault structure
- Diamond drilling intersects upper black shale horizon; assays pending
- Follow-up deeper drilling planned for April 2026
- Exploration targets geological setting analogous to nearby Nifty copper deposit
Expansive Copper Anomaly Discovered at Haddon
Encounter Resources Limited (ASX, ENR) has announced promising results from its recent reconnaissance reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Haddon prospect, part of its wholly owned Yeneena Copper Project in Western Australia's Paterson Province. The nine-hole program, completed in late 2025, delineated a laterally extensive copper anomaly spanning approximately 700 metres by 700 metres, centred on a significant regional fault.
The copper anomaly is complemented by a core zone exhibiting strong silver mineralisation, with assays showing silver concentrations exceeding 6 grams per tonne. This combination of copper and silver anomalism is particularly encouraging given the prospect's geological setting within the Broadhurst Formation, which is analogous to the nearby Nifty copper deposit located about 50 kilometres to the northwest.
Diamond Drilling Advances Understanding Despite Challenges
Following the RC drilling, Encounter mobilised a diamond drill rig in December 2025 to test the depth potential of the copper sulphide mineralisation. The diamond drill hole successfully intersected the upper portion of the prospective black shale horizon, a key host rock for copper deposits in the region. However, challenging field conditions forced an early demobilisation before reaching the target depth. Assay results from this diamond drilling are still pending, with further core analysis underway in Perth.
Executive Chairman Will Robinson emphasised the significance of these early results, noting that the black shale horizon hosts major regional deposits such as Nifty and Maroochydore. He confirmed plans to complete the diamond drill hole in April 2026, targeting the basal contact of the black shale horizon, which is considered the most prospective zone for primary copper sulphide mineralisation.
Strategic Exploration in a Tier 1 Jurisdiction
The Haddon prospect’s copper and silver anomalies were initially identified through earlier aircore drilling campaigns in 2023 and 2024, which targeted hydrogeochemical anomalies and intersected multi-element mineralisation including lead, zinc, and cobalt. The recent RC drilling has now confirmed the lateral extent and strength of the copper-silver system, reinforcing Encounter’s strategy of high-impact exploration in Tier 1 jurisdictions.
Beyond Haddon, Encounter is advancing a broader copper exploration program across the Paterson Province, including its Yeneena and Lamil projects. The company’s Aileron exploration team is also preparing for an expanded drilling campaign in 2026, with multiple rounds of assay results from the 2025 season expected to be released in the coming months.
These developments underscore Encounter’s commitment to unlocking value from its extensive portfolio of copper and critical mineral projects in Western Australia, leveraging strong technical expertise and a proven track record of attracting industry partners.
Bottom Line?
With follow-up drilling poised to test deeper targets, Encounter Resources is positioning itself for a potentially transformative copper discovery in the Paterson Province.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming diamond drilling confirm the presence of primary copper sulphide mineralisation at depth?
- How might the assay results from the black shale horizon influence Encounter’s resource estimates and project valuation?
- What are the implications of the Haddon discovery for Encounter’s broader exploration strategy across the Paterson Province?