Raptor Metals Extends High-Grade Copper Zones at Chester to 2.5km Strike

Broad High-Grade Copper Intercepts Reinforce Scale

Raptor Metals Ltd (ASX:RAP) has unveiled assay results from eight additional diamond drill holes at its Chester Copper Project in New Brunswick, Canada, confirming the presence of multiple high-grade copper zones. Highlights include intercepts like 11.75m at 1.71% copper from 10m depth, featuring a polymetallic interval grading 3.38% copper equivalent, and a 16.1m intercept at 1.96% copper equivalent. These results build on earlier drilling, validating Chester as a large-scale, stacked volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system with copper stringer mineralisation interspersed with base metal and massive sulphide horizons.

Extending Mineralisation Beyond Central Zone

Crucially, drilling in the East Zone (holes CDH009 to CDH013) has confirmed that high-grade copper mineralisation continues well beyond the previously defined Central Zone, extending the VMS horizon strike length to over 2.5 kilometres. This continuity is underscored by multiple mineralised horizons within individual holes, hole CDH007, for example, intersected three separate copper zones grading above 1% copper. The polymetallic character of the deposit is reinforced by elevated zinc, lead, cobalt, and silver values accompanying the copper mineralisation, suggesting a richer metal endowment than historical drilling had captured.

Refining Geological Understanding and Resource Potential

Managing Director Brett Wallace emphasised the growing confidence in Chester’s scale and continuity, noting that the drilling is clarifying how copper stringer mineralisation relates spatially to base metal and massive sulphide zones across both the Central and East Zones. The integration of recent geophysical surveys and planned re-sampling of historical core is expected to sharpen the geological model further, supporting future resource growth opportunities. The interpreted mineralised system remains open down dip in several areas, highlighting exploration upside.

Ongoing Work and Next Steps

Raptor is awaiting assay results from the remaining three drill holes and the interpretation of downhole electromagnetic survey data. Concurrently, metallurgical test work is underway using material from three PQ diamond drill holes completed during the program. These studies aim to assess recoveries and processing characteristics, critical for advancing the project. The company plans to continue refining its geological model by integrating drilling, geophysical, and historical datasets, alongside progressing a core re-sampling program to expand multi-element data coverage.

Chester’s Strategic Position in Bathurst Mining Camp

The Chester Project sits within the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp, a world-class VMS district that has yielded over 475 million tonnes of ore from more than 45 deposits. Chester itself hosts a current Mineral Resource Estimate of 6.685 million tonnes at 1.07% copper and remains open along strike and at depth. Raptor’s recent drilling and assay results contribute valuable new data to this established resource base, reinforcing the project’s potential within a globally significant copper province.