Tivan Limited’s latest bulk assays from Timor-Leste confirm high-grade copper and gold mineralisation, sharpening focus on the Vemasse and Scorpion prospects for drilling later this year.
- Up to 6.87% copper and 24.7g/t gold confirmed in 574 rock chip assays
- Polymetallic anomalies at Vemasse and Scorpion prospects prioritised
- Maiden drilling campaign planned for Q4 2026 at Baucau and Ossu Projects
- UAV magnetic surveys underway to refine exploration targets
- Local joint ventures established to support long-term development
High-Grade Assays Validate Exploration Model
Tivan Limited (ASX:TVN) has delivered a significant boost to its Timor-Leste copper-gold exploration story with bulk assay results from 574 rock chip samples revealing grades up to 6.87% copper and 24.7 grams per tonne gold. These results, drawn from the Baucau, Ossu, and Turiscai Projects, reinforce the company’s exploration thesis that the region hosts high-grade mineralisation worthy of further investment.
The standout findings come from the Baucau Project, where two prospects; Vemasse and Scorpion; have emerged as priority targets. At Vemasse, a coherent geochemical trend combining copper, silver, zinc, sulphur, selenium, and bismuth extends over 300 metres, indicative of a sulphide-bearing hydrothermal system. Meanwhile, Scorpion has unveiled a polymetallic anomaly spanning roughly 1,000 by 800 metres, featuring copper, gold, nickel, cobalt, and other metals consistent with mafic-ultramafic-associated mineralisation.
Strategic Focus on Baucau and Ossu for Maiden Drilling
With these assay results confirming the prospectivity of its ground, Tivan is gearing up for maiden drilling at Baucau and Ossu Projects in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company’s geological team is now integrating the latest geochemical data with ongoing high-resolution UAV magnetic, LiDAR, and photogrammetric surveys to sharpen drill target definitions.
At Ossu, rock chip sampling around the Ossu Bridge Prospect has returned copper grades up to 2.5% and gold up to 7.26g/t, showing geochemical similarities to Scorpion but with a more discontinuous mineralisation pattern. This reinforces the need for further detailed mapping and sampling before drilling.
Turiscai Project Remains Highly Prospective
The Turiscai Project, located 40 kilometres south of Dili, has delivered rock chip assays up to 23.1% copper and 7.19g/t gold in previous campaigns, although recent samples returned more modest grades. The ongoing UAV magnetic survey covering 57 square kilometres is expected to provide critical structural and geological data to prioritise targets for drilling planned in the second quarter of 2027, post-monsoon season.
Operational Efficiencies and Local Partnerships
Tivan has improved its assay turnaround by shifting sample analysis to Intertek Laboratories in Jakarta, streamlining the logistics and accelerating data flow to its geology team. This has allowed for more timely updates to the exploration model, enabling agile decision-making.
On the corporate front, Tivan has executed binding term sheets to acquire additional exploration licenses adjacent to Baucau and established joint ventures with state-owned mining companies Murak Rai Timor E.P. These arrangements aim to facilitate technical collaboration and ensure local stakeholder participation in Timor-Leste’s emerging mineral sector.
Executive Chairman Highlights Progress and Community Engagement
Executive Chairman Grant Wilson emphasised the company’s methodical advancement and strong local relationships, noting that the maiden drilling programs have the potential to transform Timor-Leste’s mining landscape while delivering significant upside for shareholders. He praised the efforts of both the Australian and in-country geology teams for their professionalism and respectful community engagement.
Tivan’s next steps involve integrating the latest sampling data with geophysical surveys to refine exploration targets, with a clear drilling timetable set for Q4 2026 at Baucau and Ossu, and Q2 2027 at Turiscai. The company’s approach reflects a cautious but confident progression from surface sampling to drill-ready targets in a region still largely underexplored despite its proximity to world-class copper-gold deposits in nearby Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Bottom Line?
Tivan’s extensive surface sampling and geophysical work have laid a solid foundation for upcoming drilling, but the true test lies in how these high-grade surface anomalies translate at depth.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm continuity and scale of mineralisation at Vemasse and Scorpion?
- How will local joint ventures influence operational execution and social licence in Timor-Leste?
- What impact will the UAV magnetic survey data have on refining targets at Turiscai ahead of drilling?