Antares Metals has discovered a new copper prospect during its second phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Surprise copper project in North-West Queensland.

The Marvel discovery lies 1.2km north of Surprise, within the company’s Mount Isa North project.

The discovery was made by an 80m wide intersection of disseminated sulphide and chalcopyrite mineralisation.

Antares said this was distinct from the high-grade, structurally controlled mineralisation of the Surprise copper mine and followed an intersection of 2.0m at 2.0 per cent copper (pXRF) which extended the known mineralisation there.

Related: Antares confirms copper extension at Surprise

“The second phase of drilling at Surprise has been very successful,” chief executive officer Johan Lambrechts said.

“It intersected a new high-grade extensional target, which may more than double its mineralisation potential, and ASD015 intersected the ‘Marvel target; a wide zone of disseminated mineralisation, which represents a separate and potentially large-scale target for us to explore.

“We now have two separate and very encouraging targets to test with a third phase of RC drilling.

“Field activities have commenced on other prospects in our tenure, including Conglomerate Creek, and we look forward to updating our investors with activities and results as we progress.”

Samples from the 1,384m phase 2 drilling campaign have been dispatched to the laboratory, and results are expected within the next five to six weeks.

Antares – formerly NickelSearch – acquired tenements covering 2003sq km of ground held by Capella Metals and Bacchus Resources, collectively dubbed the Mount Isa North project, late last year.