Orion Minerals Extends Copper Mineralisation at Okiep Project

Visible Copper Sulphides Confirm Deposit Extension at Flat Mine East

Orion Minerals Limited (ASX/JSE: ORN) has intersected a fresh zone of visible copper sulphide mineralisation in drill hole OFMED157 at its Flat Mine East (FME) prospect, part of the broader Okiep Copper Project in South Africa’s Northern Cape. The 7.88-metre mineralised interval, starting at 311.26 metres down-hole, lies 36 metres down-dip from previously reported high-grade intersections, confirming that the cornerstone deposit extends beyond the current Indicated Resource envelope.

This new intersection, characterised by bornite and chalcopyrite in norite host rock, lies 100 metres along strike from a high-grade zone in hole OFMED153 that returned 49.35 metres at 5.05% copper, including a 21.66-metre interval grading 9.41% copper. While laboratory assays for OFMED157 are still awaited, the visible sulphide mineralisation observed provides encouraging early evidence of continuity in the mineralised system. Orion’s Managing Director Tony Lennox emphasised the significance of the down-dip extension and the company’s plans to test the zone further with drill hole OFMED158.

Flat Mine North Delivers Solid Assay Results Supporting Resource Growth

Alongside Flat Mine East, Orion reported assay results for drill hole OFMND244 at Flat Mine North (FMN), which returned 21.34 metres at 1.55% copper from 147.72 metres. Additional holes at FMN are part of a resource optimisation campaign aimed at upgrading Inferred Resources through increased drill density. Assays for holes OFMND247 and OFMND248 remain pending. The FMN results complement a recent string of drilling successes that have demonstrated both resource growth and improved geological confidence across the Flat Mines area.

Building on a Robust Resource Base and Historical Data

Orion’s drilling program builds on an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Flat Mines deposits published in March 2025, which reported 10 million tonnes at 1.3% copper across the Flat Mine North, East, South, and Nababeep prospects. The current drilling targets open zones identified in the block model, specifically aiming to extend high-grade mineralisation down-dip and along strike. The company’s extensive historical database, inherited from previous operators including Newmont and GFSA, underpins these efforts.

This latest drilling phase follows a series of confirmation and optimisation programs that have steadily de-risked the project and enhanced resource confidence. The use of industry-standard diamond drilling and rigorous sampling protocols ensures data reliability. The ongoing integration of geophysical surveys, including drone magnetics, is helping to refine structural models and guide targeted follow-up drilling.

Strategic Implications for Okiep Copper Project Development

The Flat Mines area remains central to Orion’s broader Okiep development strategy, which seeks to unlock value from the historically prolific Okiep copper mining district. With over 105 million tonnes mined historically in the region, including 77 million tonnes within current prospecting and mining rights, the potential to grow resources through targeted drilling is a key value driver. The recent intersections at FME and FMN suggest that the mineralised system’s scale and continuity may be larger than currently modelled.

Orion’s progress at Okiep follows its recent completion of full control over the project, a milestone highlighted in the company’s March 2026 announcement. This ownership consolidation, combined with ongoing resource growth, positions Orion to advance feasibility and development planning. The company’s engagement with strategic partners such as the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa and Glencore adds further momentum to its South African copper ambitions, as detailed in recent financing and equity arrangements.

Pending assay results from OFMED157 and other holes will be pivotal in confirming the grade and extent of the newly intersected zones. These results, expected in approximately three weeks, will inform updates to resource models and guide subsequent drilling campaigns aimed at converting Inferred Resources to Indicated status and beyond. The structural control model under development will also help optimise future drill targeting in areas affected by mafic unit deformation.

Meanwhile, Orion continues to leverage its historical data and modern exploration techniques to delineate the full potential of the Okiep district. The company’s methodical approach to resource optimisation and extension drilling reflects a disciplined strategy to underpin long-term project economics.

These developments come as Orion navigates a complex South African mining environment, balancing technical progress with regulatory and ownership considerations. The company’s ability to demonstrate resource growth and continuity at Okiep will be closely watched by investors assessing the viability of its copper growth pipeline.

Orion’s ongoing drilling success at Okiep is a reminder of the latent potential in historically mined copper districts when combined with modern exploration and resource modelling. The coming weeks will reveal whether the visible mineralisation in OFMED157 translates into substantial assay grades that can materially enhance the project’s resource base.

This announcement adds to the narrative of steady progress at Okiep, following the company’s recent finalisation of Okiep acquisition and the strategic IDC equity conversion in Prieska, both of which underpin Orion’s South African copper ambitions.