AIC Mines has announced significant copper results from drilling at the recently discovered Matilda North shoot, offering a potential fast track to production from its Jericho mine.

”Resource extension drilling at Jericho continues to expand and improve the deposit,” AIC Mines managing director Aaron Colleran said.

“These results have the potential to materially increase the mineral resource at Jericho and provide access to high-grade mineralisation earlier than currently planned.”

AIC Mines has work underway on a $50 million link drive between its producing Eloise copper operation, 60km south-east of Cloncurry, and the planned Jericho mine site, about 4km to the south.

The company said the proximity of the Matilda North mineralisation to the Jericho link drive provided options for accelerated delivery of Jericho ore to the Eloise processing plant.

Related: Jericho mining promise builds as drill results roll in

Recent follow-up drilling at the Matilda North shoot intersected copper mineralisation in every hole.

Significant results include:

• 13.0m (9.75m ETW) grading 6.35 per cent copper and 1.0g/t gold from 271m
• 4.0m (3.0m ETW) grading 2.99 per cent copper and 0.49g/t gold from 296m
• 7.4m (5.5m ETW) grading 2.02 per cent copper and 0.32g/t gold from 311m
• 6.0m (4.5m ETW) grading 1.58 per cent copper and 0.41g/t gold from 262m

The latest results will be included in the updated Jericho mineral resource, planned for completion in March 2025, and are expected to increase the overall Jericho mineral resource estimate.

A further three 100m step-out holes testing the northern limits of the Matilda North shoot were drilled in December 2024 and the results of these holes are pending.