Coda Minerals has delivered a high-precision airborne Lidar survey covering 480km² at Elizabeth Creek, underpinning multiple engineering and environmental workstreams in its Pre-Feasibility Study. Hydrogeological drilling is set to begin soon, maintaining momentum towards a targeted Q1 2027 PFS completion.
- 480km² airborne Lidar survey completed for detailed 3D terrain mapping
- Survey supports engineering, mining, environmental, and approvals workstreams
- Hydrogeological drilling to start mid to late July, followed by exploration drilling
- Metallurgical test work and mine planning progressing on schedule
- PFS remains on track for delivery in Q1 2027
Lidar Survey Unlocks Engineering Foundations at Elizabeth Creek
Coda Minerals (ASX:COD) has completed a pivotal 480 square kilometre airborne Lidar survey over its Elizabeth Creek Copper-Silver Project, delivering a highly accurate three-dimensional terrain model that forms the backbone for multiple Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) workstreams. This fixed-wing survey, flown at under 5,000 feet in May, captures all known mineral resources alongside proposed infrastructure corridors and development zones.
While Lidar technology may not grab headlines, its role is fundamental. The detailed terrain data enables engineers to precisely design roads, process plants, waste dumps, and tailings storage facilities. Simultaneously, accompanying high-resolution aerial imagery will enhance environmental and heritage assessments, allowing targeted fieldwork and streamlined permitting. CEO Chris Stevens emphasised the survey’s quiet but critical role in underpinning nearly every engineering and environmental discipline involved in the PFS.
Parallel Workstreams Advancing Towards Development
With the terrain model now delivered, Coda is accelerating multiple parallel workstreams. Hydrogeological drilling is scheduled to commence mid to late July, after recent rainfall-induced delays, with no further significant disruptions expected. This drilling will assess water supply feasibility and test a potential southern extension to the Emmie Bluff Mineral Resource, following promising intersections from March 2025.
Following hydro drilling, exploration will focus on the Oakden prospect, a new shallow open-pit target in the project’s southern area. Meanwhile, metallurgical test work is progressing through the final stages of chloride leaching and flotation studies, with updated assay results expected soon. These tests will inform a trade-off study between processing routes, critical for optimising project economics.
Mine Planning and Approvals on Track
Mine planning and the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) continue in tandem, awaiting final geotechnical laboratory results. The Lidar data provides a vital input for these studies, enhancing accuracy in mine design and scheduling. Tailings Storage Facility engineering and non-process infrastructure work packages have been awarded and remain on schedule.
On the regulatory front, the Stage 1 Approvals Scoping Report is in final review with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining, with formal execution imminent. These approvals are essential milestones as the project advances toward development.
Resource Base and Project Scale Remain Robust
Coda reiterated its existing Mineral Resource Estimates, with no material changes to underlying assumptions. The Elizabeth Creek project hosts an aggregated 65.5 million tonnes at various cut-off grades, containing approximately 705,800 tonnes of copper, 33,000 tonnes of cobalt, 28 million ounces of silver, and 75,000 tonnes of zinc across open pit and underground resources.
The company’s copper equivalent calculations are based on conservative long-term metal price forecasts and metallurgical recoveries, supporting the robustness of the resource base. These figures provide essential context for the ongoing PFS and underpin the project’s development potential.
Maintaining Momentum Towards Q1 2027 PFS Delivery
With the critical Lidar survey completed and hydrogeological drilling imminent, Coda is maintaining its timeline to deliver the Elizabeth Creek PFS in the first quarter of 2027. The integration of high-quality terrain data across multiple disciplines reduces dependencies and allows consultants to work in parallel, enhancing efficiency.
As metallurgical testing, mine planning, and approvals progress steadily, investors will be watching for upcoming drilling results and process optimisation outcomes that could materially influence the project’s development trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Completion of the Lidar survey removes a key bottleneck, enabling Coda Minerals to advance multiple PFS workstreams in parallel as it targets a Q1 2027 study delivery.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming hydrogeological drilling results impact water supply assumptions for Elizabeth Creek?
- Will metallurgical test work confirm the preferred processing route between chloride leaching and flotation?
- What timeline and hurdles remain for securing final environmental and heritage approvals?