In a significant development for its Queensland operations, True North Copper has announced an expansion of its resource base at the Cloncurry copper-gold hub, providing a timely boost ahead of an upcoming prefeasibility study. The company reports a seven per cent increase in contained copper to 109,000 tonnes and a nine per cent rise in gold ounces to 84,000 ounces, driven by advanced drilling and geological modelling efforts.
Enhanced Resource Confidence and Growth
The uplift in resources stems from targeted grade-control drilling, exploration activities, and step-out holes, which have refined the geological models. This work has not only expanded the overall resource but also improved confidence by increasing the proportion of Indicated material. The Cloncurry project, located south of the historic copper township, includes multiple deposits such as the Great Australia Mine, Taipan, and Orphan Shear prospects.
Detailed Deposit Updates
Following the integration of new data, the Great Australia Mine resource has grown by 13.5 per cent to 5.29 million tonnes, with grades of 0.86 per cent copper, 0.07 grams per tonne gold, and 0.03 per cent cobalt. Meanwhile, the Taipan deposit maintains a resource of 5.21 million tonnes grading 0.57 per cent copper, 0.13g/t gold, and 0.02 per cent cobalt, with a notable increase in confidence as Indicated material now comprises 95 per cent of the total.
Andrew Mooney, Managing Director of True North Copper, emphasised the company's strategic focus, stating, "With PFS activities underway and drilling programs set to commence across CCP, our focus is on targeted extension and infill opportunities, as well as priority regional targets, to continue growing the resource base and advance development options in the short to medium term."
Geological Advantages and Exploration Upside
The Cloncurry project is situated within the Mount Isa Inlier, a renowned region for copper, lead, zinc, and gold deposits, offering substantial exploration potential. A standout example is the Wallace North deposit, located 35 kilometres southeast of Great Australia, which was upgraded to a 2-million-tonne resource grading 1.28 per cent copper and 0.77g/t gold, containing approximately 25,000 tonnes of copper and 50,000 ounces of gold.
Preparing for Future Development
The strengthened resource base will directly inform the upcoming prefeasibility study, scheduled for release later this year. This study will evaluate development options, including open pits and underground extensions, while refining metallurgical and geotechnical parameters. To support this, about 3000 metres of additional drilling is planned, focusing on step-out and infill holes to extract more from known lodes.
Metallurgical work will centre on recovery assumptions, with processes like Solvent Extraction and Electrowinning (SX-EW) under consideration. This method allows for high-purity copper production from low-grade oxide ore on-site, potentially reducing capital costs compared to traditional smelting.
Broader Project Portfolio and Infrastructure Benefits
Beyond Cloncurry, True North Copper is advancing the Mt Oxide copper project, located 280 km northwest, which holds 15.03 million tonnes grading 1.46 per cent copper, 10.59 g/t silver, and 0.23 per cent cobalt. The company sees significant exploration upside here, aiming to build a district of satellite deposits for a potential standalone operation.
The Cloncurry project benefits from existing infrastructure at the Great Australia Mine, including crushing, leaching, and processing facilities, as well as access to a well-established transport network and power supply. Proximity to major mines like the Ernest Henry mine, 80 kilometres northwest, further enhances its operational advantages.
Conclusion: A Growing Presence in Queensland Mining
With resources expanding, confidence rising, and studies progressing, True North Copper is transforming the historic Cloncurry area into a modern copper-gold growth story. Supported by robust infrastructure, prime geology, and multiple development pathways, the company is positioning itself as a key player in Queensland's emerging copper production sector.
