Antares Metals (ASX:AM5) commences maiden drilling at Conglomerate Creek
Antares Metals (ASX:AM5) has commenced its maiden drill program at the Conglomerate Creek prospect, part of the Mount Isa North Copper Project in northwest Queensland.
The approximately 1,000m Reverse Circulation (RC) campaign represents the first sub-surface test of seven high-priority geophysical anomalies identified across the prospect.
Highlights
- Conglomerate Creek hosts seven high-priority geophysical anomalies associated with a buried intrusion that has not previously been drill tested.
- Maiden ~1,000m RC drilling has commenced at Target 2 to provide first subsurface testing of these anomalies.
- Rock chip sampling returned results up to 21.3% Cu, 1.72 g/t Au, and 506 g/t Ag from a 220m-long mineralised vein system.
- Elevated pathfinder elements including bismuth, tungsten, antimony, and selenium were reported alongside copper, gold, and silver.
- Field programs are ongoing to advance geological mapping, structural interpretation, and drill targeting across Mount Isa North and the Quinns Project in Western Australia.
The Conglomerate Creek prospect is associated with a semi-circular intrusive feature measuring approximately 2km by 2.5km, with structures coincident with this feature interpreted to control the distribution of mineralisation across the prospect.
Historical data coverage was limited to scattered stream sediment samples and a single rock chip sample, with areas over some of the targets showing intense chlorite-epidote-silica alteration, consistent with the presence of mineralisation.
Rock chip sampling at Target 2 has returned multiple high-grade intersections, including 2.77% Cu, 0.6 g/t Au, and 33.8 g/t Ag from sample ASR00423, 1.13% Cu, 7.4 g/t Au, and 49.6 g/t Ag from sample ASR00373, and a maximum result of 21.3% Cu, 1.72 g/t Au, and 506 g/t Ag from sample ASR0195.
Antares Metals Managing Director Terry Topping commented,
“When our team returned rock chip results of 21% copper from Conglomerate Creek last year it confirmed what geophysics had been suggesting — high-grade mineralisation at surface, sitting above targets that have never been drill tested. Since then, we have been doing the work to give us the best chance of intersecting that system at depth. Refining our targets, completing the environmental and heritage approvals process, and designing a program to effectively test these geophysical anomalies at depth. The RC rig is now turning — the first drill bit ever put into these anomalies — and we look forward to sharing results with shareholders in the coming weeks.”.
Antares Metals is also advancing field activities at the Quinns Project in Western Australia, which include finalising drill targeting, heritage surveys, mapping, and expanded soil sampling.
At Mount Isa North, the company continues RC drilling at Conglomerate Creek and is preparing drilling programs for the Startle and Astound prospects to test the depth and lateral continuity of identified lodes.
Field teams are conducting geological mapping and structural interpretation to support ongoing drilling and target refinement.
Comprehensive reviews of all geophysical data sets are also underway to enhance the understanding of structural controls and potential mineralisation across both projects.
These activities will support first-pass drilling and ensure that subsequent programs are based on systematically acquired data and observations.