Havilah Hits Massive Sulphide Jackpot: DHEM Survey Reveals 200m Extension at Mutooroo Copper Project
Havilah Resources (ASX: HAV) has uncovered compelling evidence of significant depth extensions at its Mutooroo copper-cobalt-gold project, with downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) survey results indicating the potential for substantial massive sulphide mineralisation extending at least 200 metres below current drilling.
Mutooroo Deposit Now Looking Much Deeper Than Previously Known
Recent DHEM survey results from five deep drillholes at the northern end of the Mutooroo deposit have identified highly conductive zones that experts interpret as massive sulphide mineralisation extending substantially deeper than previously confirmed. The survey detected three conductive plates with high conductivity readings – over 2,000 Siemens for the southern plate and 1,200 Siemens for the northern plate – values typically associated with significant massive sulphide bodies.
"The DHEM surveying from our deepest recent drillholes has identified strong off-hole conductive zones that are interpreted to be caused by depth extensions of the Mutooroo massive sulphide lodes," said Dr. Chris Giles, Havilah's Technical Director.
The conductive plates extend approximately 200 metres below Havilah's deepest resource drillholes, suggesting the deposit continues to at least 450-500 metres below surface – significantly deeper than currently defined in the mineral resource estimate.
What is DHEM and Why It Matters to Investors
DHEM (Downhole Electromagnetic) surveying is a specialised geophysical technique used to detect conductive bodies – like massive sulphide deposits – that may not have been intersected by drilling. The method involves lowering a probe down existing drillholes to detect electromagnetic responses from conductive bodies nearby.
For investors, DHEM represents a cost-effective exploration tool that can significantly extend known resources without the immediate expense of deep drilling. When DHEM indicates the presence of highly conductive bodies with similar characteristics to known mineralisation, it substantially de-risks future drill targeting and increases confidence in resource expansion potential.
The high conductivity readings at Mutooroo (1,200-2,000+ Siemens) are particularly significant as they're consistent with massive sulphide bodies containing economic copper-cobalt-gold mineralisation – exactly what has made Mutooroo valuable to date.
Impressive Validation Through Advanced AI Modeling
Notably, Havilah has employed cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to validate the DHEM findings. Using Maptek's DomainMCF machine learning software, the company generated mineralisation envelopes that show "remarkably close correlation" with both existing drill intersections and the conductive plates identified by the DHEM survey.
This AI validation adds significant credibility to the interpretation that the conductive bodies represent extensions of the known mineralisation, rather than unrelated conductive features.
Strategic Partnership with JXAM Advancing Toward PFS Agreement
The discoveries at Havilah Resources Ltd Mutooroo copper project come at a pivotal moment for Havilah, which is currently discussing terms with JX Advanced Metals Corporation (JXAM) for:
- Funding of a future Mutooroo pre-feasibility study (PFS)
- An option agreement for JXAM to acquire a project interest
This follows the signing of a binding MOU with JXAM in August 2024 and the recent completion of a 35-hole drilling program totalling 7,511 metres, which was substantially funded by JXAM.
Mutooroo Resource Base Growing in Scale and Strategic Significance
The Mutooroo project already hosts a substantial JORC-compliant mineral resource containing:
- 195,000 tonnes of copper
- 20,200 tonnes of cobalt
- 82,100 ounces of gold
Located just 60km southwest of Broken Hill, with proximity to existing infrastructure including the Transcontinental railway line and Barrier Highway, Mutooroo represents one of the most strategically positioned copper-cobalt assets in Australia.
The company's focus on expanding near-surface resources that could potentially be mined by open pit methods could significantly enhance project economics in the early operational years. Additionally, mining feasibility studies by JXAM may unlock value from byproduct cobalt, gold and sulphur recovery that hasn't yet been factored into economic models.
Why Investors Should Track Havilah's Progress
Havilah Resources has positioned itself with significant upside potential in the critical minerals space, with copper and cobalt being essential metals for the global energy transition. With the latest DHEM results indicating substantial resource upside at Mutooroo, the company stands to benefit from several key factors:
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Resource Growth Potential: The 200+ metre extension of mineralisation could substantially increase the resource base without requiring extensive deep drilling programs.
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Strategic Partnership: The evolving relationship with JXAM provides a potential pathway to project funding without excessive shareholder dilution.
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Infrastructure Advantage: The project's location near existing transport infrastructure in a tier-1 mining jurisdiction differentiates it from many competing copper-cobalt projects globally.
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Advanced AI Implementation: The successful application of machine learning for resource modeling demonstrates the company's technical sophistication and ability to rapidly incorporate new drill data.
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Upcoming Catalysts: The updated JORC resource estimate and potential formalisation of the JXAM agreement represent significant near-term value drivers for informed mining investments.
Understanding Downhole Electromagnetic Surveys
The discoveries at Havilah Resources Ltd Mutooroo copper project were facilitated by DHEM survey technology, a specialised geophysical technique that works by detecting electrically conductive bodies such as massive sulphide deposits. During the survey, a DHEM probe is lowered down an existing drillhole while a pulsing electric current is fed through a large surface loop (in this case, 300 x 600 metres).
The surface loop generates an electromagnetic field that interacts with conductive bodies in the surrounding rock. The DHEM probe measures the electromagnetic response at regular intervals (every 5-10 metres) as it is lowered down the hole. This data is then analysed to identify 'off-hole' conductive anomalies that may not have been directly intersected by drilling.
The conductivity of the anomaly, measured in Siemens, provides important information about the potential size and mineral composition of the conductive body. Higher conductivity values typically indicate larger or more massive sulphide bodies. At Mutooroo, the high conductivity values (>2,000 Siemens for the southern plate) strongly suggest substantial massive sulphide mineralisation extending at least 200 metres below the deepest drilling.
Future Exploration Potential
The latest discoveries at Havilah Resources Ltd Mutooroo copper project demonstrate that Havilah is executing effectively on its strategy to expand resources and advance toward development at what could become a significant copper-cobalt-gold mining operation in a premier Australian mining district.
Further DHEM surveys may be conducted from additional drillholes in the middle and southern parts of the Mutooroo orebody, potentially identifying similar depth extensions throughout the deposit. The company is also working on an updated JORC Mineral Resource estimate for Mutooroo that will incorporate results from the recent JXAM-sponsored drilling program.
For investors following the copper and cobalt sectors, Havilah's Mutooroo project represents a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to the new commodity super cycle essential for global electrification and decarbonisation trends, backed by encouraging exploration results and strategic investments in human capital. Furthermore, the project's development could follow a similar trajectory to other successful mining ventures like the Mongolia uranium project, which has transformed regional mining landscapes through strategic development and investment.
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