The Develin Creek copper-zinc massive sulphide project in Central Queensland continues to deliver for Zenith Minerals.

Four new drill targets have been defined by induced polarisation (IP) geophysical surveys carried out at the Snook and Wilsons copper-zinc prospects. 

They include two new high-quality drill targets identified at Snook (S1 & S2) which are located 30km south of the existing resource area and beneath and adjacent to recent Zenith drilling that has intersected massive copper-zinc sulphides. 

Related: Copper gleam in Zenith eyes as exploration accelerates

Another Two are located beneath shallow soil cover and along strike of surface gossans at the Wilsons prospects (W1 & W2). 

A total of eight copper-zinc targets are now ready for drill testing, these include the four IP targets at Snook and Wilsons and four additional targets located close to the existing Sulphide City JORC massive copper-zinc sulphide deposits said Chairman Peter Bird.

“Develin Creek is a large-scale VMS style copper – base metals system with a pre-existing JORC Resource at the northern end of the property (Sulphide City),” Mr Bird said. 

“The property extends for some 50km south of this Resource. The eight geophysical anomalies mentioned in this release span the total lease area. 

“The anomalies at Snook appear to be located below the early-stage shallow drilling and like the others defined require drill evaluation. 

“VMS styles systems can be discrete but high grade and hence of great value. We see this advancement as a very positive step forward to allow us to build the copper inventory” 

Assays are anticipated shortly from the recent Sulphide City diamond drill twin hole program which was designed to assess potential copper-zinc grade ‘under-call’ associated with historic open hole percussion drilling, said Mr Bird.

Diamond core from the program will also provide suitable sample material for metallurgical testwork, he said. ‘This work is anticipated to commence in early July 2021.’

The IP geophysical technique is typically used to detect subsurface accumulations of disseminated sulphides that in the case of the Develin Creek type copper-zinc deposits form a broad halo below the massive sulphide copper-zinc deposits.