Eagle Mountain Mining Ltd intersects high-grade zones with veins carrying abundant copper sulphides

Eagle Mountain Mining Ltd (ASX:EM2) has intersected three high-grade zones within a thick mineralised zone from hole WT-21-51 at the Oracle Ridge Project in Arizona, USA.

Assays included:

• 46.7 metres at 2.16% Cu (copper), 19.55g/t Ag (silver) and 0.27 g/t Au (gold) including

  • 4.1 metres at 3.31% Cu, 27.51/t Ag and 0.30g/t Au;
  • 6.3 metres at 2.42% Cu, 24.36/t Ag and 0.32g/t Au; and
  • 15.3 metres at 4.10% Cu, 37.01g/t Ag and 0.53g/t Au including 6.3 metres at 7.15% Cu, 67.14g/t Ag and 1.00g/t Au.

WT-21-51 was drilled in the northwest of the mine area and was part of the resource upgrade drilling program, which was designed to validate historical drilling and increase confidence in the historical data.

Results from this hole show significantly higher copper and gold grades than adjacent historical drill holes.

A closer inspection of these very high-grade intervals shows abundant quart-calcite-chalcopyrite veins overprinting the skarn-hosted mineralisation.

Strongly mineralised intersection in drill hole WT-21-51. The broader interval within the red boundaries returned 15.3m at 4.10% Cu, 37.01g/t Ag and 0.53g/t Au from 139.4m. This interval includes an exceptionally high-grade zone of 6.3m at 7.15% Cu, 67.14g/t Ag and 1.00g/t Au from 144.8m, shown in green on the image. Individual assays for the high-grade zone are shown in blue.

Eagle Mountain CEO Tim Mason said: “This latest hole has unexpectedly delivered spectacular grades over significant minable widths.

“The assays from hole WT-21-51 are some of the best results that we have encountered at Oracle Ridge, with copper and gold grades significantly better than the surrounding holes.

“Interestingly, the very high-grade assays are associated with veins carrying abundant copper sulphides (chalcopyrite) and overprinting the more typical skarn-hosted mineralisation.

“This different style of mineralisation is unusual at Oracle Ridge, and we are working towards unravelling its significance in controlling high-grade mineralisation and spatial continuity.

“It is opportunities like this that continue to excite us!

Further drilling planned

This style of mineralisation is unusual at Oracle Ridge and has prompted a reassessment of the key features controlling mineralisation in this part of the mine.

While the majority of the copper is hosted in layers parallel to the local stratigraphy, significant mineralisation could be hosted by veins and fault zones with a different orientation.

Interestingly, these features have never been specifically targeted or mapped in detail by previous drilling programs.

The company’s technical team is currently revisiting recent and historical information to establish the potential endowment of this style of copper mineralisation.

Further drilling will be planned based on the outcome of the ongoing review.

Next steps

Three rigs continue drilling at Oracle Ridge focusing on the Talon to the south and extensions to the known resource in the north.

Winter conditions in Arizona have been quite favourable during December and January with negligible delays to drilling activities.

Contingency measures remain in place to ensure site activities will continue with minimal disruptions in case of adverse weather (such as heavy snowfall).

These measures include having earthmoving equipment available at the site to clear access and for road maintenance purposes and the establishment of additional drill pads at lower elevations with easier access.

Assays are currently pending for 37 holes from the mine area and 11 from Golden Eagle.

Assay laboratories continue to be impacted by COVID-19 in what was already a busy 2-3 years for them.

Resource update

Mason added: “The first updated JORC MRE is on track to be completed during Q1 2022.

“The updated JORC Mineral Resource Estimate is on track for completion by the end of Q1 2022 and will include assays up to hole WT-21-50.

“This upgrade will include 59 new holes with the aim of building and upgrading the MRE, including a portion in the Measured category for the first time.

“The results for WT 21-51 will be included in the next update planned for later in the year.”