Voltaic Strategic Resources has identified malachite-rich copper mineralisation across an approximately 100-metre area at its El Dinero prospect in Western Australia. Preliminary pXRF readings reached an average 8.31% copper in one selected sample, although laboratory assays are needed before the results can be treated as representative.
- Malachite-rich gossanous material identified across multiple El Dinero locations
- Indicative pXRF averages ranged from 1.88% to 8.31% copper
- Readings targeted visibly mineralised portions and are not whole-rock grades
- Laboratory assays are underway for four copper samples and 36 gold-focused samples
- Systematic mapping and sampling planned ahead of potential maiden drilling
Copper mineralisation expands the El Dinero target
Voltaic Strategic Resources Limited (ASX:VSR) has found malachite-rich, weathered gossanous material at multiple locations within an approximately 100-metre area at the El Dinero prospect, adding fresh field evidence to an existing copper-gold exploration target in Western Australia’s Murchison district.
Four selected samples containing visible copper mineralisation produced average indicative pXRF readings between 1.88% and 8.31% copper. The strongest average came from sample GS000549, while GS000547 and GS000548 returned averages of 4.91% and 5.30% respectively.
The company’s chairman, Daniel Raihani, said the observations provided a basis for systematic follow-up work. Voltaic is now waiting on laboratory analysis of the four copper samples, alongside results from 36 other samples collected during field work initially aimed at gold mineralisation.
Selective readings carry a substantial caveat
The headline pXRF numbers are exploration indicators, not resource-grade results. Geologists took three readings on each sample with each of two portable instruments, targeting visibly mineralised portions containing malachite and/or interpreted chalcopyrite. The figures therefore do not represent the average grade of the complete rock samples or the broader mineralised zone.
The instrument readings also varied materially in some cases. For example, one location on GS000547 produced readings of 3.08% and 18.09% copper between the two devices, while GS000549 included readings of 14.59% and 24.97%. That spread reinforces why laboratory assays, rather than the most eye-catching field reading, will determine whether the copper signal has meaningful continuity.
El Dinero is not an entirely new copper occurrence. Earlier laboratory rock-chip work reported by Voltaic in June 2024 returned up to 2.57% copper and 2.25 grams per tonne of gold from a sample at the prospect. The current program has not established the lateral or depth extent of the mineralisation, and no drilling has yet taken place.
Mapping and assays precede any drilling decision
Voltaic plans to return to El Dinero for systematic geological mapping and surface sampling to test the extent, orientation and continuity of the copper-gold system. It also intends to progress heritage, access and permitting requirements that could support potential future drilling.
The next meaningful inflection point is therefore not the pXRF peak, but the laboratory dataset and the follow-up field pattern around it. Until those results arrive, El Dinero remains an encouraging surface target rather than a defined mineralised system.
Bottom Line?
Laboratory assays and systematic follow-up will determine whether El Dinero’s copper signal extends beyond selected surface specimens.
Questions in the middle?
- Will laboratory assays confirm copper grades materially above background across the submitted samples?
- Does the approximately 100-metre surface zone continue laterally or at depth?
- When will mapping, permitting and heritage work allow Voltaic to decide on maiden drilling?