Initial assay results from a 2000m diamond drilling program at the Barbara copper-gold project back the potential for significant resource growth, according to new owner Breakthrough Minerals.

The company said the first three holes of its maiden diamond drilling program at Barbara confirmed growth opportunities within the footprint containing the existing mineral resources estimate and extension potential below.

Results include:

• 35m at 1.34 per cent copper (1.40 per cent CuEq) from 204m downhole, including 18m at 2.18 per cent copper (2.34 per cent CuEq) from 204m, including 11m at 3.02 per cent copper (3.23 per cent CuEq) from 204m
• 36m at 0.52 per cent copper (0.54 per cent CuEq) from 343m, including 3m at 2.17 per cent copper (2.23 per cent CuEq) from 347m and 8m at 1.07 per cent copper (1.12 per cent CuEq) from 368m
• 18m at 0.82 per cent copper (0.90 per cent CuEq) from 100m, including 6m at 2.16 per cent copper (2.35 per cent CuEq) from 107m

Breakthrough acquired Barbara in March as part of a broader package of former Aeris Resources tenements that it has dubbed the North Queensland Copper-Gold Project.

Barbara hosts an established mineral resource estimate of 6.5Mt at 0.97 per cent CuEq for 63,000 tonnes of contained CuEq metal.

“These initial results provide a strong validation of our geological model and reinforces our belief that Barbara has excellent potential for significant resource growth,” Breakthrough Minerals (ASX: BTM) managing director Nigel Broomham said.

“Perhaps most encouraging is that every hole reported today achieved its intended objective. Whether testing for additional tonnes within the existing resource footprint or evaluating extensions beyond the current boundaries, the initial three holes have delivered exactly the outcomes we were seeking.

“These results represent an excellent start, and there is still considerable upside ahead of us. Barbara remains open in multiple directions; drilling is ongoing and further assay results are pending.

Related: Breakthrough flags sale of Mount Colin work camp

“As we continue to unlock the broader potential of the North Queensland Copper-Gold Project through our 10,000m drill program, we remain focused on growing our copper inventory at a time when long-term market fundamentals for the commodity continue to strengthen.

“With a 200kt CuEq resource that remains entirely uncommitted, Breakthrough is well positioned to benefit from future resource growth, rising demand for copper and increasing strategic interest in quality copper assets within North Queensland.”

Drilling is expected to progress to the Turpentine deposit within the Hazel Creek project and additional near-mine targets as part of the company’s broader 10,000m 2026 North Queensland Copper-Gold Project exploration campaign.