Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ) has completed the first phase of diamond drilling at its Tillex Copper-Silver Project in the Timmins mining district of Ontario, Canada.
The Phase 1 program included five diamond drill holes for 1,093 metres, with hole depths ranging from 90 metres to 423 metres. It represents the first step in Aruma’s planned drill-out of the Tillex copper deposit.
The drilling was designed to gather detailed geological and structural information while beginning to test extensions of previously identified wide, high-grade copper mineralisation along strike to the south and at depth.
Tillex Project core logging facility.
Tillex currently has an interpreted mineralised footprint of about 600 metres of strike and a depth extent of at least 400 metres.
“We are excited to report the completion of Phase 1 of our diamond drilling campaign at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in the Timmins mining district of Ontario, Canada, and eagerly await the results which are expected early the following month. Our drilling campaign at Tillex is designed to fully define and test the strike and depth extent of the high-grade Tillex Deposit, and we are pleased to have completed the initial phase of the campaign,” Aruma Resources managing director Grant Ferguson said.
“The Phase 1 program has delivered on all of its objectives, providing us with oriented core, important structural data, metallurgical samples and a successful downhole EM survey, which will enhance our drill targeting along strike to the south and at depth. This work significantly enhances our geological understanding of the project and assists to de-risks our planned, larger Phase 2 drill program to follow.”
Results to shape larger follow-up program
As part of the work, Aruma completed downhole electromagnetic surveys on four holes, including two historical holes, to identify conductors at depth and provide targeting data for the next stage of drilling.
The company also collected oriented core, petrographic samples, structural data, specific gravity measurements, magnetic susceptibility readings and conductivity measurements. This information will be used to refine geological modelling and standardise future logging work, including the relogging of historical core.
Tillex Project core logging facility.
Assay results from the drilling are expected in early June, along with interpretation of the downhole EM model. Metallurgical analysis is planned once assay results have been received.
Aruma intends to follow up with a larger Phase 2 diamond drilling program of 3,500 to 4,000 metres after Phase 1 results, refined modelling and drill design are completed.
“Preparations are underway for an aggressive Phase 2 program, of between 3,500 and 4,000 metres of diamond drilling, scheduled to commence after the receipt of the Phase 1 one drilling results, refined modelling and drill design is completed,” Ferguson said. “These drilling programs form part of our drill-out of the Tillex Deposit, where our longer-term goal is to deliver a significant copper Mineral Resource estimate.