Asian Battery Metals (ASX:AZ9) has kicked off its 2026 drilling at the Red Hill copper-gold project in Mongolia, intersecting significant visible copper sulphides in the first hole, validating key geophysical targets and setting the stage for assay results.
- First 2026 drillhole intersects 18.8m massive sulphides
- Copper-rich sulphide mineralisation confirms EM anomaly
- Project renamed from Maikhan Uul to Red Hill
- Assay results pending in 4-5 weeks
- Further drilling to expand copper-gold targets
Initial Drillhole Confirms Copper-Rich Massive Sulphides
Asian Battery Metals (ASX:AZ9) has reported a promising start to its 2026 drilling campaign at the Red Hill copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) project in southwestern Mongolia. The first drillhole (MU2601) intersected visible sulphide mineralisation including pyrite, chalcopyrite, and bornite over a combined 18.8 metres, confirming a priority downhole electromagnetic (EM) anomaly identified during last year’s due diligence program. While these visual estimates are preliminary and not a substitute for assays, the copper-rich sulphide assemblage suggests the presence of a potentially high-grade VMS system.
This maiden hole was drilled approximately 20 metres southeast of the previous MU2501 hole, which had already confirmed thick massive sulphide mineralisation. The new intercept lies slightly up-dip and 28 metres northwest, consistent with a north-dipping sulphide lens extending along an east-southeast to west-northwest strike. The continuity of mineralisation over this distance supports the company’s geophysical targeting approach at Red Hill.
Project Acquisition and Renaming Reflect Local Heritage
Following the recent acquisition and licence transfer completed in April 2026, Asian Battery Metals has renamed the formerly known Maikhan Uul project to Red Hill, aiming to better reflect the local nomenclature. The project is located in Sharga Soum, southwestern Mongolia, covering 79 hectares under a mining licence valid until 2045. The acquisition adds a strategically significant copper-gold asset to the company’s portfolio, complementing its broader Mongolian battery metals focus.
The drilling program is fully permitted and forms part of a broader exploration push backed by a multi-million-dollar cash position. This aligns with the company’s stated goal of discovering and developing mineral resources critical to the energy transition in Asia. The current results build on the company’s earlier groundwork, including Maikhan Uul acquisition finalised and drilling commenced at Maikhan Uul announcements.
Visual Logging Highlights Copper Zoning and Assays Awaited
Visual logging of MU2601 core reveals a higher proportion of copper sulphides compared to the previous hole, with chalcopyrite and bornite comprising up to 7% of the mineralised intervals, accompanied by abundant pyrite. This shift in copper mineralogy suggests a potential zoning pattern within the massive sulphide lens, possibly indicating zones of higher copper grades towards the west-northwest.
Assay results for MU2601 are expected within 4-5 weeks and will be critical to quantify the copper and gold grades, especially since gold is not visually detectable due to fine particle size but was present in the earlier MU2501 intercept. Pending assays will also help validate the economic potential of the mineralisation and guide further drilling plans.
Next Steps in Exploration and Resource Definition
Asian Battery Metals plans to continue drilling across additional priority targets within the Red Hill project area, with follow-up holes designed to expand on shallow gold mineralisation identified previously. Integration of upcoming assay data with geological and geophysical models will refine targeting and potentially accelerate resource delineation.
The company’s disciplined approach to exploration, combining geophysical targeting with systematic drilling and assay validation, positions Red Hill as a compelling copper-gold VMS prospect in Mongolia’s emerging battery metals landscape. As this campaign unfolds, the market will be watching how assay results and subsequent drilling shape the project’s resource outlook.
Bottom Line?
Assay results from the first 2026 drillhole at Red Hill will be pivotal in confirming the project’s copper-gold potential and guiding the next phase of exploration.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm the visual indications of high-grade copper and gold mineralisation?
- How extensive is the massive sulphide lens along strike and at depth beyond current drilling?
- What impact will Red Hill’s resource potential have on Asian Battery Metals’ valuation and development timeline?