Loyal Metals has confirmed a large, thick, near-surface copper-gold-silver mineralised zone at its Highway Reward project, alongside a new zinc-rich polymetallic discovery, signalling a potential shift to bulk-minable resources.
- Two drillholes confirm over 100m wide high-grade copper-gold-silver zone
- Drillhole 25HRDD001 intercepts 145m at 1.50% copper equivalent
- New shallow zinc-rich polymetallic zone discovered near surface
- Results support bulk-minable development beneath existing open pit
- Loyal Metals holds $8.2 million to accelerate exploration and AI-driven targeting
Exploration Breakthrough at Highway Reward
Loyal Metals Ltd (ASX – LLM) has announced compelling assay results from its initial drilling campaign at the Highway Reward open pit in Queensland. The first two drillholes targeting the eastern wall have intersected a large, thick, and near-surface mineralised zone rich in copper, gold, and silver. These results reveal strong continuity and multiple high-grade lenses within a mineralised system exceeding 100 metres in true width, with significant vertical extent.
Drillhole 25HRDD001, located about 40 metres from the pit wall, returned an impressive 145 metres at 1.50% copper equivalent (CuEq), including higher-grade intervals such as 17 metres at 3.15% CuEq. Meanwhile, drillhole 25HRDD002, drilled from an opposing angle roughly 50 metres from the pit wall, intersected 86 metres at 2.34% CuEq, featuring lenses up to 8.69% CuEq. These thick and consistent intercepts suggest a mineral system far more extensive and continuous than previously understood.
A New Polymetallic Discovery
Adding to the excitement, drillhole 25HRDD001 also uncovered a new shallow zinc-rich polymetallic zone approximately 80 metres from surface. This massive sulphide zone returned 17 metres at 2.72% CuEq, including 2 metres at an exceptional 10.93% CuEq, with notable lead and zinc grades. This discovery highlights the polymetallic nature of the Highway Reward system and expands the potential resource beyond copper and gold.
Implications for Development Strategy
The thickness, continuity, and shallow depth of mineralisation intersected support the potential for a large, bulk-minable copper-gold-silver system beneath the existing open pit. This contrasts with the historically mined narrow-lens deposits, representing a materially different opportunity for development. Loyal Metals’ Managing Director, Adam Ritchie, emphasised that these results confirm a broad, coherent system with meaningful scale and untested potential both at depth and along strike.
The geological model, supported by over 122,000 metres of historical drilling and extensive research, aligns with the classic volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) system known in the region. The new drilling validates the presence of stacked mineralised lenses and broad alteration envelopes, indicating a complex hydrothermal system ripe for further exploration.
Advanced Exploration and Funding
Loyal Metals is well-positioned to accelerate exploration with $8.2 million in funding. The company is integrating advanced geophysical surveys; including 3D induced polarisation, magnetotellurics, gravity, and drone-based LiDAR; with AI-enhanced data analysis via the VRIFY DORA platform. This cutting-edge approach aims to rapidly identify concealed mineralised corridors and generate new drill targets beyond the current known zones.
Upcoming assay results from drillhole 25HRDD003 and the integration of geophysical data are expected to provide further clarity on the continuity and extent of the mineralised system. Loyal Metals plans to expand its drilling program to test along strike, at depth, and on newly identified high-priority targets, potentially unlocking significant value in one of Australia’s premier VHMS districts.
Historical Context and Future Potential
The Highway Reward deposits have a rich exploration and mining history dating back to the 1950s, with multiple phases of drilling and production by various companies. However, previous mining focused on narrow, high-grade lenses, often undervaluing the gold component and the broader mineralised envelope. Loyal Metals’ findings suggest a paradigm shift, with the potential to define a bulk-minable resource that could transform the project’s economics.
With a robust geological framework, modern technology, and strong financial backing, Loyal Metals is poised to redefine the Highway Reward project’s future. The company’s systematic and technology-enhanced exploration strategy could accelerate the delineation of a significant copper-gold-silver resource, attracting investor interest and potentially reshaping the regional mining landscape.
Bottom Line?
Loyal Metals’ breakthrough drilling at Highway Reward signals a new era of bulk-minable copper-gold-silver potential, with AI-driven exploration set to unlock further value.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results and geophysical data refine the resource model?
- What metallurgical characteristics will the new polymetallic zones exhibit?
- How quickly can Loyal Metals advance from exploration to resource definition and development?