West Cobar Metals Advances Copper and Scandium Drilling with District-Scale Targets

Copper Targets at Cobar West Poised for Testing

West Cobar Metals (ASX:WC1) is preparing to drill a large copper anomaly at its Blind Freddie prospect in New South Wales this quarter, targeting a gravity high coupled with an unusual surface copper signature. This drill program follows recent tenure expansion that has grown the company’s district-scale landholding to 1,091 square kilometres across approximately 120 kilometres of prospective Cobar stratigraphy.

The company is also advancing land access agreements and approvals for a ground gravity survey at the Lilyvale copper prospect, which has shown a gravity anomaly larger and stronger than the nearby Bulla Park deposit. These surveys aim to refine drill targets ahead of planned reverse circulation (RC) drilling on priority prospects including Lilyvale, Blind Freddie, and Bulla Park itself.

Bulla Park remains a key asset with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 20 million tonnes at 0.58% copper equivalent, comprising copper, antimony, and silver. The deposit is open for expansion beneath 60 to 120 metres of cover, with metallurgical testwork confirming strong recoveries of copper (94.6%), antimony (84.1%), and silver (82.6%). This underpins West Cobar’s view that the Cobar West project could evolve into a significant new copper district.

Salazar Project Targets High-Grade Scandium Zones

Over in Western Australia, West Cobar is progressing drill planning to target high-grade scandium zones within the Salazar deposit, located about 120 kilometres northeast of Esperance. The company is awaiting drilling approvals to commence this program, which aims to delineate and extend zones of elevated scandium mineralisation identified in previous wide-spaced aircore drilling.

Salazar hosts an inferred scandium resource of 15 million tonnes at 153 parts per million Sc2O3, alongside substantial rare earth elements, titanium dioxide, gallium, and alumina resources. Notably, recent metallurgical testwork has highlighted the potential for low-cost scandium extraction using atmospheric pressure acid leaching and bioleaching, achieving recoveries up to 81% and 39% respectively. This contrasts with many global scandium projects that require higher-cost high-pressure processing.

The mineralisation is associated with a weathered magnetic amphibolite horizon, which also controls rare earth and titanium dioxide distribution. High-grade scandium intercepts from previous drilling include 13 metres at 318ppm Sc2O3 and 11 metres at 282ppm Sc2O3, indicating promising zones for follow-up. The company is also advancing metallurgical workflows and development studies, including scoping and prefeasibility pathways, while continuing discussions on US funding and offtake.

Pipeline of Newsflow and Strategic Positioning

Managing Director Matt Szwedzicki emphasised the unique commodity exposure offered by West Cobar’s portfolio, highlighting the near-term drilling at both Cobar West and Salazar as catalysts for upcoming newsflow. The combination of district-scale copper targets and critical minerals like scandium positions the company to leverage tightening supply dynamics, particularly amid growing international attention on scandium’s strategic importance in defence, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing.

Exploration programs at Cobar West are well underway with drilling approvals progressing and surveys imminent, while Salazar’s metallurgical advances suggest a competitive edge in processing costs. Together, these developments set the stage for a potentially transformative year for West Cobar Metals as it seeks to convert exploration potential into tangible resources and commercial opportunities.