FMR Resources has boosted exploration confidence at its Los Warbos Project in Chile following a detailed helicopter magnetic and radiometric survey, alongside rock chip sampling that returned significant copper and silver grades.
- Helicopter survey refines skarn and porphyry targets
- High-grade copper up to 5.94% and silver to 148 g/t
- New concessions applied over key prospective stratigraphy
- Integrated datasets support a large-scale hydrothermal system
- Maiden drilling planned following further mapping and geophysics
High-Resolution Survey Unveils Magnetic Anomalies Along Prospective Corridor
FMR Resources Limited (ASX:FMR) has completed a helicopter magnetic and radiometric survey over its 100%-owned Los Warbos Project in Chile’s Coquimbo Region, delivering a step-change in the geological understanding of this copper-gold exploration play. The survey identified a series of discrete magnetic anomalies that align closely with dioritic intrusive centres mapped regionally by SERNAGEOMIN, bolstering the case for both skarn and porphyry-style mineralisation along a prospective corridor exceeding 15 kilometres.
Integrated Data Strengthens Exploration Model
The integration of magnetic and radiometric datasets with FMR’s geological mapping and initial rock chip sampling has refined the exploration model, highlighting that all priority magnetic anomalies occur within or adjacent to the favourable Formación Río Tascadero marine carbonate sequence. This sequence hosts the known Los Molles skarn mineralisation and is now clearly delineated by radiometric signatures. The spatial correlation of anomalies with intrusive centres suggests fertile conditions for intrusion-related copper-gold systems.
Field observations confirm extensive epidote-rich alteration and magnetite replacement in reactive carbonate rocks, consistent with a calcic skarn environment. These findings point to a large-scale, long-lived hydrothermal system with potential for multiple significant discoveries.
Rock Chip Sampling Returns Encouraging Grades
Complementing the geophysical data, first-pass rock chip sampling has returned impressive multi-element assays, including copper grades up to 5.94% and silver concentrations reaching 148 g/t. These high-grade surface samples were collected across the Los Molles Prospect and along a 2.6-kilometre strike of mineralisation, with further samples indicating the continuity of mineralised horizons up to 6 kilometres west of Los Molles.
Strategic Land Expansion and Infrastructure Advantage
FMR has also applied for nine new concessions over key stratigraphic targets, expanding its landholding to approximately 11,250 hectares when combining granted and application areas. The project benefits from proximity to established regional infrastructure, including roads, grid power, and export ports, facilitating near year-round exploration activity in a stable mining jurisdiction.
Next Steps Towards Maiden Drilling
Building on these advances, FMR plans to complete integrated interpretation of all datasets, conduct detailed geological mapping and soil geochemical sampling, and undertake targeted ground geophysics such as Induced Polarisation surveys. These efforts aim to refine and rank priority skarn and porphyry targets ahead of statutory approvals and the maiden drilling program, which will be a critical milestone in testing the project's resource potential.
Bottom Line?
FMR’s comprehensive geophysical and geochemical work at Los Warbos sets a solid foundation for drill testing, but the true scale of the system remains to be proven underground.
Questions in the middle?
- Will maiden drilling confirm the large-scale intrusion-related system suggested by surface data?
- How will the new concessions enhance the overall prospectivity and potential resource scale?
- What insights will targeted IP surveys provide about sulphide mineralisation continuity?