White Cliff Minerals is set to restart drilling at its Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, aiming to expand high-grade copper mineralisation across an 8km strike at the Danvers deposit and explore regional targets Hulk and Stark.
- 2026 drilling to focus on Danvers deposit and regional Hulk and Stark targets
- RC drilling planned over an 8km strike length of copper mineralisation
- Diamond drilling to follow up on sediment-hosted copper discoveries
- Historic Danvers resource estimate of 4.16 million tons at 2.96% copper
- Mobilisation of drilling rigs begins March 2026 with experienced crews
Recommencement of Exploration at Rae Copper Project
White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX:WCN) has announced the recommencement of its exploration drilling program at the Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada. The 2026 campaign marks a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to delineate and expand high-grade copper mineralisation, particularly at the Danvers deposit, while also targeting regional prospects Hulk and Stark.
The project benefits from a rich legacy of exploration data, including recent fieldwork in 2024 and drilling in 2025, which have been integrated with updated geological and geophysical surveys to define a comprehensive drilling strategy. Mobilisation of a reverse circulation (RC) rig capable of drilling beyond 250 metres is scheduled to begin this month, supported by a diamond drill rig already on site.
Focus on Danvers Deposit and Regional Expansion
The 2026 drilling program will initially concentrate on demonstrating mineralisation continuity over an 8-kilometre strike length at Danvers. Previous drilling has outlined 950 metres of strike with impressive intercepts such as 175.2 metres at 2.5% copper from near surface and 90 metres at 4% copper from surface. These results underscore the potential scale and grade of the deposit.
Beyond Danvers, the program will test extensions along the Teshierpi Fault Zone, a major structural feature that hosts the copper mineralisation. Notably, a regional exploratory hole 4 kilometres southwest of Danvers returned 15.24 metres at 4.8% copper and 20 grams per tonne silver, highlighting the fault zone’s fertility and regional potential.
Advanced Geophysical Targeting and Sediment-Hosted Copper Systems
Geophysical surveys conducted in 2024 and 2025 have identified magnetic lows, elevated conductivity, and induced polarisation anomalies associated with mineralisation at Danvers. These signatures guide the targeting of similar but potentially larger footprints along the fault zone and adjacent sedimentary basins.
Following the RC drilling phase, diamond drilling will focus on the Stark-Hulk sub-basin to explore a large sediment-hosted copper system identified in 2025. This approach reflects a strategic expansion from the volcanic-hosted Danvers-style mineralisation to sedimentary-hosted copper, broadening the project’s exploration scope.
Historic Resource and Metallurgical Insights
The Rae Copper Project includes a historic resource estimate at Danvers of approximately 4.16 million tons grading 2.96% copper. While this estimate predates current JORC standards and requires validation, it provides a valuable benchmark for the project’s potential. Metallurgical testwork from historic programs indicates favourable copper recoveries and concentrate grades, supporting the economic prospects of the deposit.
White Cliff Minerals has also established infrastructure including an airstrip and camp at Rae, which reduces mobilisation costs and enhances operational efficiency for the 2026 program.
Looking Ahead
Managing Director Troy Whittaker emphasises the significance of the upcoming drilling campaign as a step change in scale and ambition. With all preparatory desktop work complete, the company is poised to deliver meaningful results that could reshape the Rae Copper Project’s profile.
Bottom Line?
As drilling resumes, White Cliff Minerals aims to convert historic promise into modern resource confidence, setting the stage for a pivotal year at Rae.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the 2026 drilling confirm and expand the historic resource at Danvers to JORC standards?
- How will the sediment-hosted copper system at Stark-Hulk compare in scale and grade to Danvers?
- What impact will metallurgical test results have on the project’s economic viability and development timeline?