White Cliff Minerals Strikes High-Grade Copper at Rae Project
White Cliff Minerals Limited (ASX: WCN) has announced exceptional first assay results from its maiden drilling campaign at the 100% owned Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada, delivering a substantial high-grade copper intersection that validates the company's exploration strategy.
Outstanding First Assay Results Exceed Expectations
The company's first assay results from hole DAN25003 have returned a remarkable 58-meter intersection grading 3.08% copper and 13.3 g/t silver from 52 meters depth. This impressive intercept includes an even higher-grade zone of 18 meters at 5.21% copper and 22.33 g/t silver from 69 meters.
These initial results mark a significant milestone for White Cliff Minerals strikes high-grade copper, confirming the presence of substantial copper mineralisation below surface at the Danvers target area. The high-grade nature of this first intersection is particularly notable, with the thickness and grade exceeding typical early-stage exploration discoveries.
"Having the first assay produce an intersection of just shy of 60 meters at more than 3% is an outstanding way to kick off the results and reporting," said Troy Whittaker, Managing Director of White Cliff Minerals.
The Danvers target represents just a small portion of White Cliff's extensive Rae Copper Project, which spans 1,228 km² across 93 mineral claims and one mineral lease in northern Canada.
Rae Project: A District-Scale Copper Opportunity
The Rae Copper Project is situated within the highly prospective Coppermine Homocline geological formation, known for hosting significant copper deposits. Previous exploration in the region has identified numerous high-grade copper occurrences, including historic rock chip samples returning exceptional values:
| Sample Location | Copper Grade (%) | Silver (g/t) |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | 64.02% | 152 |
| Rocket | 54.12% | 14 |
| Thor | 54.02% | 34 |
| Wanda | 24.10% | 4 |
The company's exploration approach combines modern geophysical techniques with targeted drilling to identify and test priority targets across this vast property. The recent success at Danvers validates this strategy and suggests potential for additional discoveries across the project area.
Understanding Copper Mineralisation Styles at Rae
The copper mineralisation at Rae occurs in multiple styles, which is significant for the project's overall potential. The high-grade intersection reported in hole DAN25003 appears to be associated with a breccia/vein system that strikes northeast-southwest with a variable dip to the northwest.
This style of mineralisation is complemented by other copper-bearing zones elsewhere on the property, including:
- Chalcocite-dominant vein and breccia systems
- Flow-top replacements within basalt units
- Sediment-hosted stratiform copper similar to the African Copperbelt
The variety of mineralisation styles increases the overall exploration potential of the project and provides multiple target types for future drilling campaigns.
Hulk Target: Preparing for Diamond Drilling
In addition to the success at Danvers, White Cliff Minerals strikes high-grade copper whilst actively advancing the Hulk target, which represents a large-scale sediment-hosted copper opportunity within the project area. The company has already completed pre-collar drilling at Hulk, with three holes pre-drilled to approximately 180 meters depth.
This advance work positions White Cliff for an efficient diamond drilling program, with the pre-collars ending just 50 meters above the target horizon for the sedimentary-hosted copper target. This approach will allow the upcoming diamond drill program to quickly and cost-effectively reach the target zones.
"Pre-drilling is underway across the Hulk deposit, with holes being drilled to the limit of the RC drilling rig to depths of between 180 and 200 meters, only about 50 meters above the target horizon for the massive sedimentary hosted copper targets," explained Whittaker. "Utilising this head start, the diamond drills will quickly and efficiently be into the target horizon."
Upcoming Catalysts for Investors
White Cliff has outlined several near-term catalysts that investors should monitor:
- Additional assay results from the remainder of drilling at Danvers expected in the coming weeks
- Results from field sampling programs at Danvers
- Commencement of diamond drilling at the Hulk sediment-hosted copper target
- Ongoing exploration across the broader project area targeting additional copper prospects
The company is well-positioned to execute its exploration strategy, with the necessary permits and funding in place to advance the project.
Why Investors Should Follow White Cliff Minerals
White Cliff Minerals represents a compelling opportunity for investors interested in the copper sector for several reasons:
-
Proven High-Grade Copper System: The initial drilling results confirm substantial copper grades with significant thickness, validating the company's geological model.
-
District-Scale Potential: The Rae Project covers 1,228 km² of highly prospective ground with numerous copper occurrences already identified.
-
Multiple Target Types: The presence of various mineralisation styles (breccia/vein, replacement, and sediment-hosted) provides multiple pathways to discovery.
-
Clear Path Forward: With pre-collar drilling completed at the Hulk target and ongoing drilling at Danvers, White Cliff Minerals strikes high-grade copper while maintaining a defined exploration roadmap.
-
Copper Market Fundamentals: With global demand for copper projected to increase significantly due to electrification and renewable energy trends, new copper discoveries are highly valuable.
White Cliff's Rae Copper Project represents one of the more significant early-stage copper discoveries in recent years, with the first assay result demonstrating both high grade and substantial width. As additional results become available and drilling progresses, investors should watch closely for further validation of this emerging copper district in northern Canada.
Want to Invest in the Next Major Copper Discovery?
White Cliff Minerals' exceptional 58-metre intersection grading 3.08% copper at its Rae Project represents one of the most significant early-stage copper discoveries in recent years. With multiple high-priority targets across their 1,228 km² district-scale property and promising results already in hand, White Cliff offers investors exposure to a potentially transformative copper asset in a tier-one jurisdiction. To learn more about this compelling investment opportunity and stay updated on forthcoming drill results, visit White Cliff Minerals' website today.
