Alma Metals has acquired a fully equipped 16-person exploration camp at its Briggs Copper Project, enabling a second drill rig deployment and accelerating resource growth and pre-feasibility studies.
- Acquisition of 16-person exploration camp
- Doubles on-site personnel and drilling capacity
- Supports accelerated resource growth and Pre-Feasibility Study
- Drilling program progressing with copper mineralisation confirmed
- Camp commissioning expected in August 2026
Exploration Camp Acquisition Enhances Operational Capacity
Alma Metals Limited (ASX:ALM) has taken a significant step to ramp up activity at its Briggs Copper Project in central Queensland by acquiring a fully equipped 16-person modular exploration camp. Relocated from South Australia, the camp includes individual ensuite rooms, air-conditioning, televisions, and personal refrigerators, alongside a purpose-built kitchen and messing facility. This upgrade marks a substantial improvement in on-site accommodation, designed to reduce fatigue and improve welfare for technical and management teams.
Doubling Drilling Throughput with Second Rig Deployment
With the camp in place, Alma Metals plans to deploy a second drill rig at Briggs, effectively doubling its drilling capacity. The company’s current single rig program has already demonstrated strong penetration rates, with approximately 1,600 metres drilled and four holes completed since late April. All holes have encountered copper mineralisation consistent with expectations, and assays from the first three holes are due in 4-5 weeks. The second rig will accelerate the resource growth and Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) programs funded by the recent $4 million placement, supporting faster data generation and drilling efficiency.
Operational Benefits Beyond Drilling
Beyond increasing drilling capacity, the camp will allow Alma’s technical and management personnel to be stationed on-site, improving contractor oversight and reducing travel-related fatigue risks. The camp is being constructed to cyclone-proof standards appropriate for Queensland, with commissioning expected by August 2026. This infrastructure upgrade is expected to lower operational costs and enhance project management effectiveness, aligning the operational platform with the scale of opportunity at Briggs.
Briggs Project: A Large-Scale Copper Opportunity
The Briggs Copper Project hosts a mineral resource estimate containing 2 million tonnes of copper metal in Indicated and Inferred categories at a 0.15% copper cut-off grade. The deposit’s low strip ratio and proximity to major infrastructure; including a deep-water port at Gladstone, power lines, heavy-haul rail, and gas pipelines; support its economic potential. Metallurgical test work indicates high copper recovery rates of 95% into concentrates with grades between 23% and 29% copper, alongside molybdenum and silver credits. Alma currently holds a 51% interest in the project and is progressing toward a 70% stake under its joint venture with Canterbury Resources Limited.
Bottom Line?
The new camp acquisition sets the stage for a more efficient and accelerated drilling campaign at Briggs, but upcoming assay results will be critical to validating resource expansion and guiding pre-feasibility milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- How will assay results from the new drilling influence the updated resource estimate at Briggs?
- What is the timeline for deploying the second drill rig and fully commissioning the camp?
- How might increased operational efficiency impact the overall cost and schedule of the Pre-Feasibility Study?