Cooper (ASX:CPM) charges up Brumby Ridge for Queensland copper

Cooper Metals has diamond drilling underway at Brumby Ridge, and an induced polarisation survey has confirmed a chargeability response at least 300 metres long with strong depth potential at its headlining Mt Isa East prospect in northwest Queensland.

An initial high-grade hole backed up by a bonanza grade intercept built excitement at Brumby Ridge, and the Queensland copper-focused explorer is now undertaking 3200m of combined diamond and RC drilling to get a greater gauge on the size and grade potential of mineralisation.

Mineralisation at the prospect remains open along strike, down dip, and to the west, with the deepest hole so far having returned the highest grade.

Cooper Metals Managing Director Ian Warland said it was highly encouraging to extend the strong chargeability response along strike and at depth.

“The IP chargeability response starts around 50m below surface and at least on two of the lines continues at depth beyond 200m model,” Mr Warland said.

“Diamond drilling has recently commenced, and we look forward to updating the market when results come to hand.”

Brumby Ridge stands as the eminent target of three key clustered copper-gold prospects showing strong copper anomalies in favourable lithologies and settings within 10 kilometres of each other at Cooper’s Mt Isa project.

Those are three of 50 targets Cooper has amassed in its pipeline, with the company noting a major regional trending fault holding 25km of strike ready to explore as it awaits first assays due in April 2024.

Glencore’s impending Mt Isa copper closure was an undeniable blow to the township, but exploration continues over a multitude of regional red metal occurrences.

There remain other options for toll treating if you find a good copper deposit, and The Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technolgy Fund will make up to $30 million available for miners with a proven JORC resource looking to ramp up.