AIC Mines Limited has announced the start of a substantial resource extension and definition drilling program at the Jericho Copper Deposit, which is located near the Eloise Copper Mine.
The planned development of the Jericho mine and extension of the Eloise processing plant would raise output to more than 20,000tpa copper and 10,000ozpa gold, making Eloise a genuine cornerstone asset for AIC Mines.
The strike length of the Jericho deposit is now 2.3 km. It starts 50m below the surface and extends to a vertical depth of 550m below the surface. Mineralisation takes place in two parallel lenses, J1 and J2. The present focus of mining study is on higher-quality shoots within these lenses, specifically Matilda, Jumbuck, and Billabong. Along strike and at depth, the mineralisation remains open. A resource extension drilling program (step-out drilling) tries to expand high-grade zones along strike and at depth.
A significant portion of the present Jericho Mineral Resource is held within Inferred Resources and hence cannot be converted to Probable Reserve. The proposed resource definition drilling (infill drilling) program attempts to increase geological confidence in these locations.
The resource definition drilling, which will consist of 76 holes totalling roughly 17,000m, will target higher-grade portions of the Inferred Resources located above 250m below the surface. The additional drilling will raise the density of drilling to 50m by 50m in these locations. The majority of the work will be done via RC drilling.
A series of holes will also be drilled for geotechnical, hydrological, and metallurgical testing to inform the ongoing mining and processing investigations.
The resource extension drilling, which will consist of 8 holes totalling around 4,000m, will aim to:
- the high-grade Jumbuck shoot-down dive via 200m step-out holes;
- J2 lens strike expansions to the north and south; and
- the Jericho North target.
Seismic ambient noise tomography (ANT) will be conducted around Jericho. The survey will map the cover-basement interface to help orient mine infrastructure and image the basement to 750m below the surface, possibly giving a low-cost input into a 3D geological and structural model beyond drilling regions.
Regional exploratory drilling is planned for the September Quarter 2023. Sandy Creek and Artemis deposits are top prospects. Sandy Creek drilling will explore high-grade copper-gold expansions down the plunge. Artemis drilling will examine polymetallic mineralisation at depth and strike.
