Tartana Minerals Targets Doubling Copper Resource with New Drilling Campaign

Aggressive Drilling Campaign Underway to Expand Copper Resource

Tartana Minerals Limited (ASX:TAT) has launched a targeted drilling campaign at its Tartana Copper Project in Far North Queensland, aiming to significantly increase the copper resource beyond the current 45,000 tonnes of contained copper to over 100,000 tonnes. The campaign focuses on three zones: the Northern Zone, the Open Pit Area, and deeper drilling below existing mineralisation.

The company’s UDR 650 drill rig has already completed hole D10 to a depth of 291.1 metres and is progressing well with hole D11, currently at 150 metres of a planned 350 metres. The rig’s efficiency has been notable, achieving up to 54 metres drilled in a 12-hour shift, reflecting operational improvements that could reduce costs and accelerate exploration timelines.

Northern Zone Focus with Deeper Targets in Sight

Drilling has so far concentrated on the Northern Zone, located north of the main open pit, where copper mineralisation is offset by a fault structure. The campaign aims to extend mineralisation both laterally and at depth, with historical data indicating copper mineralisation continuing to at least 450 metres below surface.

Following completion of the Northern Zone holes, drilling will move to the main Open Pit Area, which lies beneath shallow pit fill material. This pit fill, recently stacked at 50,000 tonnes on the heap leach pad, is currently undergoing dilute acid leaching to produce copper sulphate, a step that will reduce future prestripping requirements and enhance production efficiency.

Resource Upgrade to Inform Mine Planning and Processing

The last resource update in February 2023 estimated 45,000 tonnes of contained copper at 0.45% copper grade to a depth of 130 metres, with mineralisation open in all directions. The new drilling campaign is expected to substantially increase this resource base, supporting future processing options and mine planning efforts developed by MEC Mining.

While visual observations of chalcopyrite mineralisation in drill core have been noted, assay results for the initial 125.5 metres of hole D10 are anticipated in about four weeks, which will provide critical data to confirm the grade and extent of mineralisation.

Operational Enhancements and Commercialisation Efforts

The acquisition of the UDR 650 drill rig has been pivotal, offering flexibility and cost savings that underpin the current drilling intensity. Additionally, the strategic stacking of pit fill material on the heap leach pad aligns with Tartana’s broader commercialisation strategy to produce copper sulphate pentahydrate efficiently.

These developments come on the back of a recent $4.5 million capital raise aimed at accelerating drilling and copper sulphate production, positioning Tartana to capitalise on its extensive copper and critical metals portfolio in Queensland.