The Day's Play Edition 116: Copper system expands, rare earth reserve grows | AZ9, MEI, BC8
THE COIN TOSS
AZ9 - Azzuro Resources extended the Red Hill copper-gold VMS system to nearly 550m of strike with high-grade copper assays and mineralisation remaining open.
MEI - Meteoric Resources increased the Caldeira Ore Reserve 42% to 146Mt, supporting more than 20 years of planned production at 6Mtpa.
BC8 - Black Cat Syndicate defined new high-grade Lynx and Regulus gold lodes, expanding the exploration framework at the Paulsens Gold Operation.
FG1 - Flynn Gold extended high-grade gold-tungsten mineralisation at Firetower by at least 80m below previous drilling, confirming mineralisation beyond 200m vertical depth.
ODY - Odyssey Gold confirmed a new high-grade gold shoot at Shackle and extended high-grade mineralisation at Bollard through RC drilling.
AUC - Ausgold extended the Katanning mineralised system 300m beyond the current Open Pit Mineral Resource through deep drilling.
GTE - Great Western Exploration confirmed Juggernaut hosts geology consistent with a copper-gold VHMS system following maiden RC drilling.
GBR - Great Boulder Resources commenced a 40,000m drilling campaign targeting expansion and upgrade of the 481,000oz Peak Hill Gold Mineral Resource.
JAV - Javelin Minerals confirmed shallow resource continuity and extended high-grade gold mineralisation along strike at the Eureka Gold Project.
KAO - Kaoko Metals confirmed high-grade copper, gold and tungsten from rock chip sampling across multiple prospects at the Karibib Project.
AGN - Argenica Therapeutics demonstrated significant neuroprotection from a single low-dose ARG-007 treatment in a repeated mild traumatic brain injury preclinical model.
Azzuro Resources (ASX:AZ9)
Red Hill Copper-Gold System Extends to 550m Strike
The Play
Copper-gold VMS system confirmed across nearly 550m of strike, remaining open west, east and down-dip.
MU2605 returned 1.6m at 11.94% Cu, the highest copper grade reported from the 2026 drilling program.
MU2604 confirmed 18.0m of copper-gold-silver mineralisation, including a higher-grade copper-gold-zinc-silver interval.
MU2606 extended shallow high-grade gold mineralisation within the northern approximately 600m gold mineralisation corridor.
MU2608 extended copper mineralisation at the western end of the system.
The Pitch
Red Hill is a 100%-owned copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide project in Mongolia.
The project hosts copper, gold, zinc and silver mineralisation within a volcanogenic massive sulphide system.
Multiple geophysical and geochemical anomalies occur within favourable volcanic stratigraphy.
Azzuro is focused on critical and base metals projects in Mongolia.
Red Hill includes massive sulphide mineralisation and shallow oxide gold-silver mineralisation.
The Next Overs
Remaining Red Hill and Copper Ridge assay results are expected over the coming weeks.
Metallurgical testing is scheduled to commence in Q3 2026.
Data integration and planning for further drilling are ongoing.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Meteoric Resources (ASX:MEI)
Caldeira Ore Reserve Increases 42% to 146Mt
The Play
Ore Reserve increased 42% to 146Mt at the Caldeira Rare Earth Project.
The updated Ore Reserve supports more than 20 years of planned production at 6Mtpa.
The Ore Reserve contains 517,000t TREO and 126,000t Magnetic Rare Earth Oxide.
28% of the Ore Reserve is based on Measured Resources.
The updated Ore Reserve will be incorporated into the Definitive Feasibility Study.
The Pitch
Caldeira is a 100%-owned ionic clay rare earth project in Brazil.
The Ore Reserve averages 3,546ppm TREO and 863ppm Magnetic Rare Earth Oxide.
The Ore Reserve is based on Measured and Indicated Resources from 4 deposits.
All Ore Reserves are classified as Probable under the JORC Code.
The project is designed for a planned production rate of 6Mtpa.
The Next Overs
Incorporate the updated Ore Reserve into the Definitive Feasibility Study.
Release the Definitive Feasibility Study.
Update the Mineral Reserve statement as part of the Definitive Feasibility Study.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Black Cat Syndicate (ASX:BC8)
New High-Grade Lodes Expand Paulsens Exploration Framework
The Play
Lynx and Regulus defined new high-grade gold lodes at Paulsens.
Underground drilling returned multiple high-grade gold intersections across both lodes.
Lynx defines a new structural orientation and remains open up and down plunge.
Regulus comprises multiple high-grade lenses defined by drilling and underground development.
Development reconciled 4,737t at 3.0g/t Au from Lynx and 4,900t at 9.7g/t Au from Regulus.
The Pitch
Paulsens is an operating gold mine in Western Australia.
Lynx is defined over 200m of strike and 260m down plunge.
Regulus is defined over 180m of strike and 40m of vertical extent.
Belvedere is located 5km from the Paulsens processing plant.
Belvedere hosts a Mineral Resource of 30koz at 6.6g/t Au.
The Next Overs
Continue surface diamond drilling to test the Lynx up-plunge extension.
Commence Belvedere resource growth drilling in late 2026.
Test additional mineralised positions at Belvedere.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Flynn Gold (ASX:FG1)
Firetower Extends High-Grade Gold-Tungsten Mineralisation
The Play
First drilling extended high-grade gold-tungsten mineralisation at least 80m below previous drilling.
Extension hole 2019FTD014E returned 9.64m at 2.49g/t Au, 0.29% WO₃, 0.52% Cu, 0.04% Co and 9.9g/t Ag.
Gold-tungsten mineralisation is confirmed beyond 200m vertical depth.
High-grade copper of 1.47m at 2.20% Cu was intersected within the gold-tungsten zone.
Two additional diamond drill holes were completed, with assay results pending.
The Pitch
Firetower is a 100%-owned polymetallic gold-tungsten project in northern Tasmania.
The current drilling program comprises up to 10 diamond drill holes.
The program combines resource growth, in-fill drilling and metallurgical sampling.
Three drill holes totalling approximately 520m have been completed.
The mineralised system remains open at depth and along strike.
The Next Overs
Continue the drilling program, including metallurgical drilling.
Complete metallurgical testwork.
Develop a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and review historical geophysical surveys.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Odyssey Gold (ASX:ODY)
New High-Grade Shoot Confirmed at Shackle
The Play
Shackle drilling confirmed a new high-grade gold shoot beneath historical workings.
First-pass RC drilling intersected high-grade gold in all 3 Shackle holes.
Bollard drilling confirmed continuity of the high-grade shoot beneath the historical pit.
Bollard drilling confirmed continuity of mineralisation up to 80m from recent results.
Results will be incorporated into ongoing Mineral Resource updates and mining studies.
The Pitch
Tuckanarra hosts an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 6.3Mt at 2.2g/t Au for 451koz.
Shackle is located 500m north-northwest of the Cable deposit.
Shackle comprises shallow historical workings extending over 80m of strike.
Bollard hosts an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 0.68Mt at 2.1g/t Au for 46koz.
The Bollard high-grade shoot remains open along strike and down dip.
The Next Overs
Incorporate the latest drilling into Mineral Resource updates and mining studies.
Step out at Shackle to test the continuity, extent and plunge of the shoot.
Continue drilling at Bollard to define and extend the high-grade shoot at depth.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Ausgold (ASX:AUC)
Deep Drilling Extends Katanning Mineralised System
The Play
Deep drilling intersected gold mineralisation 300m beyond the current Open Pit Mineral Resource.
Extension drilling confirmed the Central Zone remains open beyond the current Open Pit Mineral Resource.
Deep diamond hole BSDD063 returned 13.8m at 0.48g/t Au from 481.54m.
Extension drilling returned multiple significant gold intersections beyond the current Open Pit Mineral Resource.
In-fill results improved confidence in the geological and mineralisation model.
The Pitch
Katanning is a 100%-owned gold project in Western Australia.
The Central Zone hosts approximately 90% of the Katanning Mineral Resource.
The current Open Pit Mineral Resource totals 2.44Moz of gold.
The current Open Pit Ore Reserve totals 1.33Moz of gold.
Extension and in-fill drilling are focused within the Central Zone.
The Next Overs
Receive assay results from deep diamond hole BSDD064.
Complete ongoing down-hole electromagnetic surveys to refine deep drilling targets.
Deliver an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q4 2026.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Great Western Exploration (ASX:GTE)
Maiden RC Drilling Confirms VHMS Geological Setting
The Play
Maiden RC drilling confirmed geology consistent with a copper-gold VHMS mineralised system.
17 RC holes for 2,160m tested all 6 Juggernaut copper-gold targets.
Drilling intersected interbedded mafic volcanic rocks and shale consistent with VHMS development.
Drill-hole alteration is indicative of a potentially fertile VHMS mineralisation system.
2 RC holes for 78m intersected the Baroo quartz vein below surface.
The Pitch
Juggernaut is within the Yerrida North Project in Western Australia's Yerrida Basin.
The project comprises 6 defined copper-gold VHMS targets.
Juggernaut is located approximately 70km south-east of the DeGrussa and Monty VHMS deposits.
Baroo is a previously unmapped quartz vein identified through regional geological field mapping.
Great Western reported a cash balance of $3.4M at the end of June 2026.
The Next Overs
Receive Juggernaut and Baroo assay results expected in August-September 2026.
Use assay results to refine targets for a follow-up drilling programme.
Report air core drilling results from the Diorama Copper-Gold Target later this month.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Great Boulder Resources (ASX:GBR)
40,000m Peak Hill Drilling Campaign Underway
The Play
A 40,000m drilling campaign commenced at the Peak Hill Gold Project.
The program targets expansion and upgrade of the existing 481,000oz Mineral Resource.
Two RC rigs are operating, with a diamond drilling rig expected on site in approximately 5 weeks.
Drilling targets resource extensions, infill and priority exploration targets, including Golden Treasure.
Golden Treasure is targeted following high-grade 2025 drilling results reported by Westgold Resources.
The Pitch
Peak Hill hosts a 481,000oz gold Mineral Resource across 5 deposits.
The project is located 100km north of Meekatharra in Western Australia's Murchison region.
A Mining & Heritage Agreement is in place with the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation.
An Ore Purchase Agreement with Westgold provides processing capacity at a regional mill.
The agreement provides a capital-light pathway to production and cashflow.
The Next Overs
Update Mineral Resources at Peak Hill and Side Well by the end of CY2026.
Commence mining studies following completion of the Peak Hill Mineral Resource update.
Continue the scheduled 20,000m drilling program at the Side Well Gold Project.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Javelin Minerals (ASX:JAV)
Eureka Drilling Confirms Resource Continuity
The Play
RC drilling confirmed shallow mineralisation continuity across the Eureka Resource.
Drilling extended known high-grade mineralisation along strike at Eureka Northwest.
Results confirmed mineralised zones within the planned Eureka open pit cutback.
RC drilling returned multiple significant gold intersections, including 4m at 2.7g/t Au from 91m.
Drilling confirmed near-surface laterite gold mineralisation across multiple holes.
The Pitch
Eureka hosts a Mineral Resource of 2.04Mt at 1.69g/t Au for 110,687oz.
The RC program comprised 37 holes for 5,184m.
The program targeted near-surface mineralisation and strike extensions.
The main Eureka orebody remains open to the north and north-west down plunge.
Eureka is located 50km north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
The Next Overs
Complete diamond drill tails on holes EKRC011 and EKRC012.
Continue testing northern down-plunge extensions to high-grade mineralisation.
Complete the Mining Development and Closure Plan approval process.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Kaoko Metals (ASX:KAO)
High-Grade Copper and Tungsten Confirmed at Karibib
The Play
Rock chip assays confirmed high-grade copper, gold and tungsten across multiple Karibib prospects.
Rock chip sampling returned up to 4.9% Cu, 0.85g/t Au and 0.68% WO₃.
Mineralisation was identified across multiple prospects within the approximately 250km² Karibib Project.
A project-scale geochemical sampling program commenced at the Karibib Project.
54 rock chip samples were collected across Gamikaubmund, Gamikaubmund North and the Pot Mine.
The Pitch
Karibib is an early-stage copper-gold-tungsten exploration project in central Namibia.
The project covers approximately 250km² under a single exploration licence.
The mineral system hosts copper, gold and tungsten mineralisation.
Historical workings occur at Gamikaubmund, Gamikaubmund North and the Pot Mine.
Kaoko is focused on copper, silver and gold exploration projects in Namibia.
The Next Overs
Complete project-scale geochemical sampling and interpret assay and geochemical datasets.
Prioritise and rank drill targets at Karibib for the next stage of testing.
Commence maiden diamond drilling at Chalkos in approximately 3 weeks.
Read full ASX Announcement here.
Argenica Therapeutics (ASX:AGN)
ARG-007 Shows Significant Neuroprotection in Concussion Model
The Play
ARG-007 demonstrated significant neuroprotection in a repeated mild traumatic brain injury preclinical model.
A single 1mg/kg intravenous dose reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and axonal damage.
Neuroprotective effects remained evident for up to 11 days after injury.
Treatment reduced astrocyte and microglial activation across multiple brain regions.
The study was conducted in collaboration with Curtin University and the Perron Institute.
The Pitch
ARG-007, also known as xaranetide, is Argenica's lead neuroprotective drug candidate.
The study evaluated repeated mild traumatic brain injury in a preclinical animal model.
Treatment was administered 30 minutes after repeated mild traumatic brain injury.
The study used sham animals as the control group.
Argenica is developing ARG-007 for stroke and other acute neurological injuries.
The Next Overs
Consider next steps to advance xaranetide's development in the concussion indication.
Continue clinical development of ARG-007 in traumatic brain injury.
Continue clinical development of ARG-007 in stroke.