Rich samples highlight epithermal, porphyry potential of Belararox’s TMT project

Rock chip sampling returns up to 1.41% copper, 2.49ppm gold and 484ppm silver at TMT project in Argentina
Results are indicative of porphyry-style mineralisation at Toro North and epithermal-type mineralisation at Toro South
Fieldwork continuing at Tambo Sur, company will then re-rank projects for drilling

Special Report: Belararox now has further evidence of epithermal and porphyry mineralisation at its Toro-Malambo-Tambo project in Argentina after sampling returned significant copper, gold and silver assays.

The early-stage TMT project boasts similar characteristics to nearby discoveries on the same belt, such as Filo Mining Corp’s C$3.3 billion 644Mt Filo Del Sol mine that is backed by BHP, as well as the Los Helados and Potro Cliffs projects being developed by TSE-listed NGEx Minerals.

Given the neighbourhood, Belararox (ASX:BRX) is understandably keen to get to grips with the epithermal and porphyry potential of the project since getting the go ahead to proceed with advanced exploration in late March.

Early stage exploration at the Tambo South target – one of 12 high priority exploration targets – returned characteristics of the upper levels of a porphyry system.

This is indicative of potential for either a high-sulphidation epithermal setting or the upper levels of a porphyry system.

Epithermal gold deposits – amongst the richest in the world — are typically high grade, small tonnage, and relatively shallow.

Porphyry mines are massive, responsible for ~60 per cent of the world’s copper, most of its molybdenum, and significant amounts of gold and silver.

Their easy-mining large volumes make up for the low grades, typically between 0.3 per cent to 1 per cent copper equivalent.

Sampling assays confirm observations

Assaying of rock chip and talus (loose rock accumulated at bottom of a slope) sampling carried out over the Toro North, Central and South targets have returned significant results topping out at 1.41% copper, 2.49ppm (g/t) gold, 484ppm silver, 427ppm molybdenum, 20.9% zinc and +20% lead.

BRX notes that the Toro North area shows geochemical zoning characteristic of porphyry-style mineralisation while Toro South shows characteristics of epithermal-type mineralization and underlying porphyry-style mineralisation.

The assays are also supported by anomalous pathfinder elements, including thallium, lithium, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth, consistent with the metal zoning in the upper levels of at least two potential porphyry systems at the Toro South target and Toro North target.

Further support comes from the elemental ratios of gold/silver, copper/zinc, molybdenum/manganese and silver/gold, which provide vectors towards the inferred porphyry centres.

“These assay results confirm our geological observations that we are in the epithermal environment at Toro Central and South, and deeper, in the high levels of a porphyry system in Toro North,” exploration director Argentina Jason Ward said.

“Fieldwork continues at Tambo Sur, after which we will re-rank our projects in order to plan our upcoming drilling program.”

Managing director Arvind Misra noted that the promising assays with significant copper, gold and silver values highlight the rich mineralisation potential of the Toro North, Central, and South targets.

“Geochemical zoning indicates diverse mineralization types, enhancing our project insights. Supported by pathfinder elements, these results signify significant epithermal/porphyry discovery potential,” he added.

Next steps

BRX is currently concluding field activities ahead of the onset of winter.

During this season, it will analyse and interpret geochemical findings concerning the Malambo target, analyse geochemical sampling and Anaconda geological mapping at Tembo South and carry out a comprehensive 3D geochemical analysis of results from the Toro North, Toro Central, Toro South, Malambo and Tambo projects.

Other work will include completing the environmental baseline, interpret geophysics data, analyse water samples and revising the Malambo and Tambo environmental impact assessments to expand the Malambo drilling permits from the current 2000m to over 5000m.

This article was developed in collaboration with Belararox, 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.