Pivotal Metals has extended its diamond drilling program at the Lorraine Mine East in Quebec, targeting untested copper-nickel and gold anomalies adjacent to a historic mine. The move aims to explore both magmatic sulphide and vein-hosted mineralisation, with drilling underway at the Shanty Lake target and a resource update due for Horden Lake.
- 1,500m drilling added at Lorraine Mine East
- Targets untested copper-nickel and gold anomalies
- Drilling progressing at Shanty Lake magmatic sulphide target
- Horden Lake resource update and scoping study expected by Q3 2026
- Belleterre projects benefit from strong infrastructure in Quebec
Expanded Drilling Targets Untouched High-Grade Zones at Lorraine Mine East
Pivotal Metals Limited (ASX:PVT) is ramping up its exploration efforts with a 1,500-metre extension to its diamond drilling program at the Lorraine Mine East target in Quebec’s Belleterre Projects. This expansion follows an initial 1,800-metre campaign and focuses on multiple never-before-drilled copper-nickel and gold anomalies immediately adjacent to the historic Lorraine Copper Mine, which produced approximately 600,000 tonnes at 1.4% copper, 0.6% nickel, and 0.6 g/t gold in the 1960s.
The new drilling aims to test both magmatic Cu-Ni sulphide mineralisation and structurally controlled, vein-hosted Au-Cu mineralisation. The latter includes a structural corridor that previously yielded bonanza grades underground, such as 28 metres at 45 g/t gold, yet remains largely unexplored beyond the mined zone. Pivotal’s recent Induced Polarisation (IP) survey identified multiple high-priority targets over a 1.8-kilometre strike length, with eight priority zones earmarked for initial drilling.
Shanty Lake Drilling Advances on a High-Priority Magmatic Sulphide Target
Meanwhile, drilling at the Shanty Lake target is progressing steadily. The diamond drill hole 26-PIV-08 has reached 420 metres and is approximately 150 metres from a modelled FLTEM bedrock conductor, interpreted as a steeply dipping magmatic sulphide Cu-Ni target. Shanty Lake sits between the Blondeau and Kelly Lake gabbro-hosted deposits and features a large, untested conductive anomaly starting from 150 metres depth. Historic drilling in the 1960s intersected shallow anomalous copper and nickel, but the deeper conductor remains untested.
Belleterre Projects Positioned in a Tier-1 Mining Jurisdiction with Robust Infrastructure
The Belleterre projects cover a dominant 160 square kilometre position on the Belleterre-Angliers Greenstone Belt, part of the prolific Archean Superior Province. This region is renowned for hosting magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE and shear zone-hosted gold deposits. The company’s portfolio includes several notable deposits and occurrences, Midrim, Alotta, Laforce, Lorraine, Blondeau, and LaForce, with historic drilling revealing high-grade copper, nickel, platinum group metals, and gold mineralisation.
Strategically, the projects benefit from proximity to Rouyn-Noranda, a major mining services hub, extensive power infrastructure with low-cost hydroelectricity, and access to existing mills and smelters such as Glencore’s Horne copper and Sudbury nickel facilities. Agnico Eagle’s nearby Canadian Malartic Mine reportedly has significant spare milling capacity, potentially offering processing options for new discoveries.
Horden Lake Resource Update and Metallurgical Progress on Track
Alongside exploration, Pivotal reaffirmed its 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Horden Lake project, which currently stands at 37 million tonnes grading 1.1% copper equivalent, incorporating copper, nickel, palladium, and gold. The company expects to deliver an updated MRE and scoping study by the end of Q3 2026, progressing parallel metallurgical testwork that supports strong recoveries and concentrate quality.
Metal equivalent calculations are based on recent testwork and market assumptions, underpinning the economic potential of the Horden Lake deposit. Pivotal’s Managing Director Ivan Fairhall highlighted the untapped potential at Lorraine Mine East, noting the compelling opportunity to drill targets sitting in the shadow of a proven, high-grade system that remains entirely undrilled. The drill rig’s imminent mobilisation to Lorraine Mine East signals the company’s commitment to advancing these high-potential targets.
Exploration Outlook Hinges on Upcoming Assay Results and Resource Updates
While the expanded drilling and ongoing programs position Pivotal Metals well to uncover new mineralisation, the market awaits assay results from Lorraine Mine East and Shanty Lake to validate the targets’ potential. The upcoming Horden Lake resource update and scoping study will also be critical in shaping the company’s development pathway. The Belleterre Projects’ location within a Tier-1 jurisdiction and access to infrastructure provide a strong backdrop, but the success of these drilling campaigns will be pivotal in determining the scale and economics of any new discoveries.
Bottom Line?
Pivotal’s expanded drilling at Lorraine Mine East and progress at Shanty Lake could unlock significant new copper-nickel-gold resources, but assay results and the forthcoming Horden Lake update will be key near-term catalysts.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the expanded Lorraine Mine East drilling confirm the presence of high-grade mineralisation beyond historic zones?
- How will assay results from the Shanty Lake target influence the prioritisation of future drilling campaigns?
- What impact will the upcoming Horden Lake resource update and scoping study have on Pivotal’s project development timeline and valuation?