Azzuro Resources has completed its first phase of drilling at the Red Hill Copper-Gold VMS Project in Mongolia, confirming continuity of a substantial massive sulphide system and identifying a high-grade copper interval. Assays are pending as geophysical surveys prepare to refine targeting.
- 15 holes drilled totaling 1,883.9 metres at Red Hill
- Five of six holes intersect massive sulphide mineralisation
- Visual confirmation of 272 metres strike length, open along strike and down-dip
- High-grade 2-metre interval with 33% chalcopyrite logged
- Downhole electromagnetic surveys to commence imminently
Phase 1 Drilling Confirms Robust Massive Sulphide System
Azzuro Resources PLC (ASX:AZ9) has wrapped up the initial phase of its 2026 drilling campaign at the Red Hill Copper-Gold Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) Project in Mongolia, delivering visual confirmation of an extensive and mineralogically zoned massive sulphide system. The 15-hole program, comprising 12 diamond and 3 reverse circulation (RC) holes for 1,883.9 metres, notably included a re-drilled hole MU2610A that intersected a thick 36.85-metre pyritic massive sulphide zone starting at 72.3 metres downhole, with a discrete 2-metre chalcopyrite-rich interval grading visually up to 33% copper sulphide.
This high-grade chalcopyrite interval is particularly encouraging as it aligns with the metal zonation patterns typical of VMS deposits, where copper concentrates in discrete lenses around a pyrite-dominant core. The massive sulphide system now extends visually for approximately 272 metres along strike and remains open both along strike and down-dip, with the MU2610A intercept confirming up-dip continuity beyond previous drillhole MU25011.
Multiple Holes Validate Targeted Mineralisation Zones
Of the six holes targeting the massive sulphide lens, five successfully intersected the mineralised zone, underscoring a high hit rate. The lone exception, MU2602, encountered copper mineralisation with secondary copper oxides and weak chalcopyrite veining but no massive sulphides. The abandoned MU2610, halted by faulted ground, was replaced by MU2610A, which delivered the thick sulphide intercepts.
The drilling also tested near-surface oxide gold-silver zones north of the VMS system and a shallow gold-copper target in the southwest. These holes intersected altered and oxidised host rocks with minor sulphide stringers, but assay results remain awaited. The program’s broad approach aims to delineate both primary VMS mineralisation and associated oxide zones that may hold economic interest.
Geophysical Surveys Set to Sharpen Exploration Focus
With the drilling phase complete, Azzuro is poised to integrate the geological data with ongoing geophysical datasets. Downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys are about to commence on the 2026 diamond drillholes, a proven method at Red Hill for detecting and tracking massive sulphide bodies. Additionally, a 3D gravity inversion by Terra Resources Pty Ltd is nearing completion, and chargeability and resistivity data from recent surveys will be folded into the targeting model.
This multi-disciplinary geophysical integration aims to refine drill targets and vector towards higher-grade zones within the system, potentially accelerating the path to resource definition. Drilling has already commenced at the Copper Ridge Cu-Au prospect to test a newly identified chargeability anomaly from a recent 3D IP survey, expanding the exploration footprint.
Visual Estimates Await Assay Confirmation
While visual logging has provided compelling evidence of mineralisation thickness and sulphide content, including the standout 33% chalcopyrite interval, Azzuro cautions that these estimates are preliminary and not substitutes for laboratory assays. Assay results for the bulk of the program are expected in July 2026 and will be critical to quantifying the tenor and economic potential of the mineralisation.
Managing Director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren emphasised the significance of the findings, noting that the program has opened up a potentially material VMS play and laid the groundwork for a detailed understanding of the system’s size and grade distribution. He highlighted the timing as fortuitous amid a bullish copper market, underscoring the strategic importance of the Red Hill project in Azzuro’s portfolio.
Bottom Line?
Assay results and forthcoming geophysical data will be pivotal in defining Red Hill’s resource potential and guiding the next wave of drilling.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm the high-grade chalcopyrite intervals and overall copper tenor?
- How will integrated geophysical datasets refine targeting and influence drilling priorities?
- What is the potential scale of the VMS system given its open strike and down-dip extensions?