Hillgrove Defines 5.8 - 11.5Mt Kanappa Copper-Gold Target Ahead of Drilling

Defining Kanappa's Porphyry Potential

Hillgrove Resources (ASX:HGO) has crystallised an Exploration Target for its Kanappa prospect, outlining a substantial tonnage range of 5.8 to 11.5 million tonnes with copper grades between 0.2% and 0.8%, accompanied by gold grades from 0.05 to 0.1 grams per tonne. This target focuses on a porphyry-style copper-gold system, building on drilling and geophysical data gathered during earlier work in 2018. The company emphasises that this target remains conceptual, with further drilling needed to confirm any Mineral Resource under JORC standards.

Kanappa's geological setting is compelling, marked by skarn mineralisation indicative of hydrothermal fluids, supported by soil geochemical anomalies and geophysical signatures. The South Australia Department for Energy and Mining has now greenlit the environmental approvals necessary for surface drilling under Exploration Licence EL6526, clearing the way for Hillgrove to mobilise its drilling contractor in the June quarter.

Planned 2026 Drilling Program to Probe Deep Targets

The upcoming drill campaign, slated for completion by the September quarter of 2026, aims to test a deep-seated porphyry source suggested by a 2018 Induced Polarisation (IP) survey. This program will also follow up on skarn-style mineralisation intersected in previous drilling. Porphyry deposits typically offer large tonnage with low to medium grades, and Hillgrove’s approach targets the distinct alteration and zonation patterns characteristic of such systems.

Drill holes will be positioned to intersect geophysical anomalies and lithological domains identified through soil geochemistry and past diamond drilling, with the program designed to sharpen the understanding of the alteration and geochemical signatures in southern Kanappa. This targeted approach follows Hillgrove’s recent strategy of rationalising lower-prospectivity tenements to concentrate resources on high-value prospects like Kanappa.

Hillgrove's CEO Bob Fulker highlighted the strength of the target, noting, "With approvals now in place, we can move quickly to drill the Kanappa targets. The combination of skarn mineralisation as an indicator of hydrothermal fluids, soil anomalies and geophysics makes this a compelling porphyry target." The company’s confidence in the target is underscored by the integration of multiple datasets, including soil geochemistry, IP surveys, and previous drilling results.

Data Integrity and Historical Foundations

The Exploration Target is underpinned by a robust dataset involving diamond drilling, soil sampling, and geophysical surveys conducted with rigorous QAQC protocols. Hillgrove’s 2018 drilling campaign, which included HQ3 and NQ3 diamond core, achieved an average core recovery of 99%, with samples assayed through ALS Laboratories using 4-acid digest ICP-MS methods. Soil geochemistry was analysed via portable XRF and laboratory assays, demonstrating strong correlation and reliability.

Geophysical data, particularly the 2018 IP survey, has been critical in delineating the target zone, with six lines surveyed to a depth and resolution suitable for detecting chargeability anomalies associated with copper mineralisation. The company’s methodical approach to data validation and sample security contributes to the credibility of the Exploration Target.

This announcement follows Hillgrove’s recent operational momentum, including significant new copper-gold intersections at its Kanmantoo mine earlier this year, which has bolstered production and resource growth targets. The strategic focus on Kanappa aligns with Hillgrove’s broader growth ambitions and resource optimisation efforts, as evidenced by its new high-grade copper-gold zones reported in March 2026.