Undercover Copper Targets Emerge: Can Somerset Match Danvers Deposit Success?

A Breakthrough in Copper Exploration

Somerset Minerals Limited (ASX – SMM) has announced a significant advancement in its exploration efforts at the Coppermine Project in Nunavut, Canada. The company’s late-2025 regional geophysical and geochemical surveys have unveiled a major new copper anomaly corridor, dubbed Talisker, stretching approximately 17 kilometres. This discovery marks a pivotal moment for Somerset, positioning the Talisker Corridor as its highest-priority target for immediate follow-up.

The Talisker anomaly is distinguished by a cluster of high-grade copper values in glacial till samples, including four samples exceeding 1,000 parts per million copper, with a peak concentration of 3,790 ppm (0.38% Cu). Such elevated copper levels in a first-pass, district-scale survey are exceptional and suggest the presence of substantial mineralisation concealed beneath a thin layer of glacial cover.

Strategic Location and Geological Significance

Geologically, Talisker is compelling not only for its size and grade but also for its proximity and structural connection to the Danvers deposit, owned by White Cliff Minerals (ASX – WCN). Located just five kilometres away, Talisker lies along the same fault system, the Teshierpi Fault, that hosts the Danvers copper deposit, which has reported high-grade intercepts such as 90 metres at 4% copper and 7.5 grams per tonne silver from surface.

This structural linkage enhances the prospectivity of the Talisker Corridor, suggesting it may host similar high-grade copper mineralisation. Importantly, the strongest geochemical and geophysical anomalies are situated in areas with minimal outcrop and limited historical exploration, underscoring the potential for new discoveries in previously overlooked undercover zones.

Focused Follow-Up and Drilling Plans

To capitalise on these encouraging results, Somerset has appointed a geophysical contractor to conduct induced polarization (IP) surveys starting in early March 2026. These surveys aim to refine the size, geometry, and orientation of potential sulphide bodies beneath the cover, thereby sharpening drill targeting. Concurrently, the company is evaluating infill soil geochemistry to further tighten drill vectors.

Meanwhile, a ~3,000-metre diamond drilling campaign is set to commence in late February at the Jura North prospect, another high-priority target within the Coppermine Project. This program seeks to expand the known mineralisation by testing along strike and at depth, as well as investigating parallel lodes identified by recent IP-resistivity surveys. The drilling will target down-dip extensions to depths of 400–500 metres, aiming to build on previous intercepts such as 42.7 metres at 2.69% copper.

Broader Project Potential

The Coppermine Project spans 1,665 square kilometres and hosts over 112 mapped copper occurrences across multiple districts, including Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Jura, and Oban. The project’s geology is analogous to well-known copper provinces such as Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and Queensland’s Mt Isa region, featuring structurally controlled, high-grade copper-silver mineralisation in basaltic formations.

Somerset’s integrated approach, leveraging airborne magnetic surveys, glacial till geochemistry, and ground-based geophysics, has effectively reduced the exploration search space from over 1,600 square kilometres to focused corridors with strong mineralisation signatures. This disciplined methodology is designed to accelerate the discovery of new copper deposits concealed beneath shallow cover.

Outlook for 2026

Managing Director Chris Hansen emphasised the transformative potential of the current exploration phase, stating that 2026 could be a landmark year for Somerset. With multiple high-priority targets emerging and a clear pathway to drill-ready prospects, the company is poised to unlock significant value from its extensive landholding in a historically underexplored but highly prospective copper belt.