Golden Mile Resources has expanded the planned maiden drilling program at the Pearl copper project in Arizona to include the promising Ford prospect. Pic: Getty Images
Mining
Special Report: Golden Mile Resources has expanded its planned maiden drill program at the Pearl copper project in Arizona to include the newly elevated Ford prospect, beneath the historic Ford mine’s underground workings.
Ford was developed on a highly altered and polymetallic mineralised zone, with production beginning in 1900 and continuing to a depth of ~60m below the surface before water egress stopped mining.
While historical production figures are unavailable, Golden Mile Resources (ASX:G88) notes that high-grade results of up to 31.3% lead, 10.6% copper and 16.7g/t gold were reported from lead-silver veins and surface and underground sampling.
Recent field investigations have emphasised the potential of the Ford prospect and identified optimal access routes for drilling equipment, a key driver in the decision to expand the drill program to include the prospect.
The company noted that while expanding the drill program accelerates the overall work schedule for the Odyssey and Ford prospects, it requires a short delay to allow for the processing of updated applications. This means that drilling will now start in early 2025.
The initial permit application has been submitted to relevant government agencies in Arizona to secure drilling approval.
G88 plans to drill 12 reverse circulation holes totalling up to 1600m from eight platforms at the Odyssey prospect.
These will drill perpendicular to the north-westerly strike of the mineralised veins and structures where mining was previously carried out in the upper, shallower zones.
Hole depths are expected to reach a maximum of ~140m depending on visible alteration and mineralisation.
At Ford, it plans to drill four RC holes totalling up to 500m from the Tucson Wash as close to perpendicular of the north westerly strike of the mineralised alteration as practical.
These will also target below the historical mine and have a maximum planned depth of 120m.
G88’s maiden drill program will also be the first time that drilling will be carried out at these targets.
Additionally, the process of awarding a drilling contract is well advanced, with several companies capable of and available to deliver the required services for the planned program.
The Pearl project in the San Manuel mining district sits within the world-class Laramide porphyry copper province that is itself located in the prolific Southwestern North American porphyry copper province, which is the principal copper metallogenic province in the US.
This area accounts for about 70% of total US copper production in 2023.
Despite prolific evidence of surface mineralisation immediately north of BHP’s San Manuel-Kalamazoo mine – one of the largest deposits in the Laramide province, Pearl itself has only seen minimal modern exploration and has never been drilled.
This article was developed in collaboration with Golden Mile Resources, 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.
