Argent starts its copper, REE hunt at Copperhead

Argent has started exploration for copper and rare earth elements at the Copperhead project in WA’s highly prospective yet underexplored Gascoyne region.

The project, whose acquisition is subject to shareholder approval, is located close to Hastings Technology Metals’ Yangibana REE project which is currently under development.

Argent Minerals (ASX:ARD) is carrying out a helicopter-borne geochemical survey to ground test the already defined – and extensive – high-grade historical copper occurrences and the geophysical targets potentially hosting copper, rare earth elements and potentially lithium.

These include the Mt Palgrave copper prospect which historically yielded surface high-grade rock chips which returned assays ranging from 1.12% to 14.2% copper, the Laura prospect that hosts an extensive pegmatite, and Prospect Anomaly A where trenching yielded 2.13m at 5.6% copper.

“We are pleased to have commenced the first pass exploration program over the Copperhead Project. This represents the first step in the geological and geochemical assessment of all the known prospect areas,” managing director Pedro Kastellorizos said.

“The confirmation of surface copper/REE and potentially lithium mineralisation will enable Argent Minerals to fast-track drilling over these areas once the assay results have been finalised.

“These high-quality assets have the potential to yield several mineral discoveries over several commodities which are currently listed under the critical minerals list.”

Walk up targets

A review of historical geological and geophysics data has allowed the company to identify at least 26 targets – 21 base metal and five REE targets – over known mineralised trends, within favourable lithology and where anomalous responses are evident.

Work will focus on the Mt Palgrave, Mt Palgrave Anomalies A-B-C and Illirie Creek copper occurrences as they represent the most prospective walk-up targets based on the high-grade copper mineralisation.

Argent will also test the five REE targets as part of the reconnaissance program proximal to the Yangibana REE project.

The company is seeking shareholder approval to acquire private company Copperhead Resources, which owns the project, for 87 million ARD shares – representing 10.17% of the company’s post-issue capital.

This article was developed in collaboration with Argent Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.