Pacific Resources has confirmed a new high-grade copper zone at its Dogwood project, with assays revealing the highest copper grade recorded to date alongside a first-ever polymetallic porphyry signature from laboratory tests.
- DGWDDH005 returns 0.9m at 1.10% copper, highest at Dogwood
- New mineralised position identified 170m south in DGWDDH006
- First lab-confirmed Cu–Mo–W–Bi polymetallic porphyry system
- Results support porphyry copper–molybdenum model
- Further assays and drilling planned to test extensions
Record Copper Grades Highlight New High-Grade Zone at Dogwood
Pacific Resources (ASX:PXR) has reported breakthrough assay results from two priority diamond drill holes at its Dogwood Porphyry Cu–Mo project in Victoria. Hole DGWDDH005 delivered a standout intercept of 0.9 metres at 1.10% copper from 80.2 metres, marking the highest copper grade recorded at Dogwood so far; approximately 36% above the previous best intercept. This high-grade zone sits within a broader 1.5-metre composite averaging 0.79% copper, significantly wider than earlier hits.
Adding to the excitement, DGWDDH005 also returned a separate high-grade vein with 0.2 metres at 0.78% copper and 9.4 grams per tonne silver, suggesting complex mineralisation styles including quartz-sulphide vein overprints. These results surpass the earlier 2022 drilling program’s peak grades and widths, underscoring a richer and more continuous copper system than initially understood.
New Mineralised Position Extends Copper Continuity
Hole DGWDDH006, drilled approximately 170 metres south of DGWDDH005, identified a new mineralised zone with 3.3 metres at 0.27% copper from 100.6 metres, including a higher-grade 0.7-metre interval at 0.67% copper. This intercept fills a gap between previously assayed holes and supports the continuity of copper mineralisation along a northeast structural trend interpreted to control the system.
The combined results from DGWDDH001 through DGWDDH006 now outline a mineralised corridor extending over 300 metres, with DGWDDH006’s more continuous copper interval contrasting with the shorter high-grade hits dominating earlier reports. This suggests a potentially more substantial and coherent mineralised system that warrants further exploration.
Polymetallic Porphyry Signature Confirmed by Laboratory Assays
Beyond copper, the assays revealed significant molybdenum concentrations, peaking at 975 parts per million (0.098%) within DGWDDH005, alongside tungsten up to 40 ppm, bismuth up to 83 ppm, and elevated sulphur levels. This combination of elements constitutes the first laboratory-confirmed Cu–Mo–W–Bi polymetallic porphyry signature at Dogwood, aligning with the company’s evolving geological model of a porphyry copper–molybdenum system.
Previous drilling by First Au Limited (ASX:FAU) focused mainly on copper, zinc, and gold, but the new assays expand the project’s metal footprint and highlight potential for a broader polymetallic resource. The presence of these pathfinder elements could prove critical in vectoring towards higher-grade zones and refining exploration targets.
Next Steps: Expanding Assays and Follow-Up Drilling
Pacific Resources is continuing to log and sample DGWDDH005 and DGWDDH006, with additional intervals under review for assay submission. The company plans to extend this re-logging and sampling approach to the remaining eight unassayed holes from the 2022 program, which collectively cover over 2,000 metres of diamond drilling.
Following these results, Pacific Resources intends to undertake a comprehensive re-interpretation of the Dogwood core, integrating geophysical and geochemical data to refine exploration vectors along the copper trend. The ultimate goal is to design a follow-up drilling campaign to test strike and depth extensions of the newly identified high-grade zones, particularly beneath Hole 4 where the system remains open at depth.
Chief Executive Andrew Fogg emphasised the significance of the new assays in confirming the porphyry model and extending mineralisation continuity. The results come amid the company’s broader strategic pivot to base metals and gold exploration in Victoria and Tasmania, following recent acquisitions and portfolio expansions.
Bottom Line?
Dogwood’s assay breakthrough not only raises the project’s copper grade benchmark but also opens a polymetallic exploration frontier that could reshape Pacific Resources’ next drilling phase.
Questions in the middle?
- Will further assays from remaining holes confirm the polymetallic porphyry system’s extent?
- How might the new molybdenum, tungsten, and bismuth signatures influence resource modelling?
- What are the implications of the strike continuity for potential resource scale and mining strategy?