Hawk Resources has pushed the boundaries of its Cactus Corridor copper-gold project in Utah with new assay results from drill hole DD26CT005, revealing extended near surface mineralisation and high-grade copper zones. The findings suggest the mineralised trend remains open and drilling is set to resume in July 2026.
- Near surface copper mineralisation extended northwest in Cactus Corridor
- Key intercepts include 71.7m at 0.45% Cu with high-grade zones
- Anomalous molybdenum intersected over significant intervals
- Mineralisation remains open to the northwest beyond historical drilling
- Drilling to recommence in July 2026 with further corridor holes planned
New Drilling Extends Copper Mineralisation Northwest
Hawk Resources Limited (ASX:HWK) has delivered a promising update from its Cactus copper-gold project in Utah, USA, with lab assays from drill hole DD26CT005 confirming an extension of near surface copper mineralisation beyond previous interpretations. The hole intersected a broad mineralised zone starting just 14 metres below surface, spanning 71.7 metres grading 0.45% copper, accompanied by gold and silver credits.
Within this envelope, two higher-grade zones stood out: 4.3 metres at 2.19% copper and 5.8 metres at 1.35% copper. These intercepts also carry anomalous gold and silver, enhancing the prospectivity of the corridor. The mineralisation is interpreted to have a true thickness of approximately 33 metres and dips steeply to the northeast, consistent with the structural setting of the Cactus Corridor.
Anomalous Molybdenum Adds Exploration Interest
Adding another dimension to the discovery, the hole intersected a 32.9-metre zone grading 0.016% molybdenum starting from 59.1 metres downhole. This molybdenum anomaly aligns with previous results from both Hawk’s earlier hole DD26CT003 and the historical ALCA013 hole, suggesting a persistent multi-element system that could enhance future resource potential.
Confirming and Extending Historical Data
DD26CT005 was drilled to test extensions of mineralisation identified in hole DD26CT003 and historical holes such as R-31 and ALCA013. The results verify copper intercepts from these older holes and suggest that the mineralised trend extends further northwest than previously mapped, with historical holes R-2 and R-3 potentially positioned off the northern margin of the mineralisation. This opens up new ground for exploration along the corridor, which stretches approximately one kilometre from the Comet deposit through the Cactus mine to the New Years prospect.
Managing Director Scott Caithness highlighted that the high-grade copper intersections within DD26CT005, combined with the anomalous gold, silver, and molybdenum, reinforce the potential for a larger, lower-grade copper body underlying the area. He noted that the mineralisation remains open to the northwest, providing a clear target for upcoming drilling.
Drilling Program to Resume with Expanded Focus
Preparations are underway to recommence drilling in July 2026, aiming to test the Cactus Corridor with a further 10 shallow holes spaced at 50-metre intervals. This next phase will cover the corridor from the Cactus to the historical Comet mine, where past drilling has intersected significant gold mineralisation near surface, including a standout 25.9-metre intercept grading 1.53 grams per tonne gold. The planned drilling will help delineate the extent of both copper and gold mineralisation along the corridor and assess the potential for a significant resource.
Alongside the corridor drilling, assay results from nearby holes DD26CT001 and DD26CT002, targeting a low resistivity geophysical anomaly interpreted as an extension of the Cactus Deep lens, have returned low-grade results, consistent with expectations. These holes lie about 300 metres southeast of DD26CT005 and indicate that the anomaly is related to altered granodiorite with minor sulphide mineralisation but no significant copper grades.
Technical and Quality Assurance Details
The drilling employed NQ-sized diamond core, with samples cut and sent to ALS laboratories in Nevada for multi-element analysis. Quality control measures included duplicates, blanks, and standards, with laboratory assays confirming spot portable XRF readings taken on visible copper mineralisation. The geological logging indicates mineralisation hosted in tourmaline breccias within the Cactus granodiorite stock, with sulphides occurring as veins, blebs, and disseminations.
While the results are encouraging, the company cautions that historical assay data predating Hawk’s involvement are not JORC compliant and should be treated as indicative only. The current drilling data is insufficient for Mineral Resource estimation, but the ongoing program aims to address this with further drilling and assay results.
Bottom Line?
Hawk Resources’ latest assays extend the Cactus Corridor’s near surface copper footprint and set the stage for a potentially larger mineralised system, with drilling poised to accelerate from July 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- Will upcoming drilling confirm the extent of the high-grade copper zones along the corridor?
- How might the anomalous molybdenum influence the economic potential of the Cactus project?
- What impact will the planned capital raises have on funding the expanded drilling program?