Moonlight Resources’ maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Peak Downs copper prospect near Clermont has returned multiple broad zones of shallow copper mineralisation.

The program was designed to validate selected historical drilling, test the continuity of copper mineralisation and improve the geological understanding of the historically significant Peak Downs copper system, the company said.

“The results from our maiden Peak Downs drilling program are highly encouraging and provide the modern confirmation of copper mineralisation across a system previously defined largely by historical drilling and old mining records,” Moonlight Resources (ASX: ML8) managing director Greg Starr said.

“The program returned broad zones of shallow copper mineralisation together with locally higher grade intervals, including 22m at 1.26% copper from surface, 14m at 1.50% copper from 52m and 6m at 2.64% copper from 52m.

“Our focus at Peak Downs now moves to the next phase of technical work. Targeted diamond drilling is planned to improve geological and structural control and provide representative core for metallurgical testwork to provide the key inputs required to assess the basis for a near-term mineral resource estimate.”

The program saw 56 holes completed for 2988m. Thirty-eight holes reached their planned target depth, while 18 were terminated early after intersecting historical underground mining voids.

Significant results included:

• 22m at 1.26 per cent copper from surface in PDRC242, including 8m at 2.41 per cent copper from 2m
• 14m at 1.50 per cent copper from 52m in PDRC252, including 4m at 3.57 per cent copper from 54m
• 6m at 2.64 per cent copper from 52m in PDRC219, including­ 2m at 6.26per cent copper from 54m
• 12m at 1.42 per cent copper from surface in PDRC270, including­ 2m at 3.03per cent copper from 4m
• 12m at 1.21 per cent copper from surface in PDRC271, including 4m at 1.99 per cent copper from 6m
• 28m at 0.70 per cent copper from surface in PDRC255, including­ 2m at 2.73 per cent copper from 24m.

The Peak Downs prospect is part of Moonlight’s flagship Clermont Gold Project, located to the west of Clermont and within trucking distance of the 1Moz Twin Hills gold mill.