New High-Grade Copper-Gold Zone Discovered at Rogozna's Shanac Deposit
Strickland Metals (ASX: STK) has announced a significant new discovery of high-grade copper-gold mineralisation at its flagship Rogozna Project in Serbia, revealing some of the highest copper grades ever encountered at the 5.3Moz AuEq Shanac Deposit.
Discovery Highlights Outstanding Potential at Rogozna
The latest diamond drilling results from Strickland's ongoing exploration program have uncovered a substantial new zone of high-grade copper-gold mineralisation at the Shanac Deposit. This discovery reinforces the enormous scale and growth potential of the Rogozna Project, which currently hosts a total resource of 7.4Moz AuEq across four deposits.
Key intercepts from the new copper-gold zone include:
- 21.6m @ 3.7g/t AuEq from 473.5m, including 5.7m @ 9.7g/t AuEq from 489.4m (ZRSD25199)
- 18.2m @ 3.7g/t AuEq from 548.8m, including 6.0m @ 6.8g/t AuEq from 556.9m (ZRSD25194)
Notably, this new zone contains copper grades of up to 6.8% Cu – the highest copper grades ever encountered at Shanac. The mineralisation remains completely open in all directions, presenting a significant opportunity for resource expansion.
Broader Drilling Success Confirms Bulk Tonnage Potential
Beyond the high-grade copper-gold zone, the drilling has continued to demonstrate the deposit's bulk tonnage potential with impressive broader intercepts:
- 172.5m @ 1.3g/t AuEq from 322.6m (ZRSD25199)
- 309.3m @ 1.2g/t AuEq from 264.3m (ZRSD25194)
- 248.9m @ 1.0g/t AuEq from 257.0m (ZRSD25191)
These results were obtained from drilling on the western side of Shanac's central domain, an area that had seen relatively less drilling compared to the eastern side that was the focus of 2024 exploration efforts.
"These outstanding new drill results from the cornerstone Shanac Deposit continue to demonstrate the enormous endowment, scale and growth potential of the Rogozna Project," said Paul L'Herpiniere, Strickland's Managing Director. "The fact that these holes have returned such impressive intercepts provides further evidence of the potential for further growth in the current 5.3Moz AuEq Mineral Resource at Shanac as we continue to drill and gain more confidence in the high-grade mineralised zones."
Understanding the Mineralisation Style
The newly discovered high-grade copper-gold zone occurs at depth adjacent to an altered intrusion (the southern quartz-monzonite stock) on the eastern side of the central domain. This skarn/stock contact area has seen limited drilling both at depth and on the eastern side, representing an important search space for additional high-grade mineralisation.
The copper-gold mineralisation in this zone is characterised by replacement-style massive to semi-massive chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite with trace amounts of sphalerite and galena. Core photos from the drilling reveal spectacular massive sulphide mineralisation, highlighting the exceptional grade potential of this new zone.
Skarn Deposits: Valuable Investment Opportunities
Skarn deposits like those at Rogozna represent significant investment opportunities due to their polymetallic nature and potential for substantial size. These deposits form at the contact between intrusive igneous rocks and carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks, creating zones of alteration that can host valuable concentrations of metals.
What Are Skarn Deposits?
Skarn deposits are formed when hot, mineral-rich fluids associated with magmatic intrusions interact with carbonate rocks like limestone. This interaction creates a chemical reaction that replaces the original rock with new minerals and can concentrate valuable metals. The term "skarn" refers to the silicate minerals that typically form during this process.
Key Characteristics of Skarn Deposits:
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Polymetallic Nature: Skarns commonly contain multiple valuable metals, providing natural hedging against price fluctuations in any single commodity.
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Predictable Geology: The formation of skarns follows relatively predictable patterns, making exploration and resource definition more systematic.
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Variable Size and Grade: Skarns can range from small, high-grade deposits to large, lower-grade systems, with the Rogozna deposits representing significant size and grade potential.
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Metallurgical Advantages: Many skarn deposits feature minerals that respond well to conventional processing methods.
At Rogozna, the skarn deposits feature gold-copper mineralisation with additional zinc, silver, and lead credits. Preliminary metallurgical test work has shown amenability to conventional processing with flotation recoveries generally in the range of 78-86% for the defined deposits.
Aggressive Exploration Program Continues
Strickland is maintaining an aggressive exploration approach with eight diamond drilling rigs currently operating across the Rogozna Project:
- Three rigs focused on extending mineralisation at Gradina to support a maiden resource estimate by late 2025
- One rig drilling the central part of Shanac
- One rig testing strike extensions of the recent Kotlovi discovery
- One rig improving definition of shallow, high-grade mineralisation at Copper Canyon
- Two rigs testing porphyry copper-gold potential at Jezerska Reka and Obradov Potok
The company remains well-funded to deliver its 50,000m exploration program at Rogozna in 2025, with $32.7 million in cash and liquid assets as of June 30, 2025.
Future Catalysts and Growth Trajectory
Strickland's Managing Director highlighted that these new results will contribute to the company's next major resource upgrade, targeted for Q4 2025. With multiple assays pending and further results expected in the coming weeks, investors can anticipate strong news flow from both Shanac and the promising Gradina deposit.
"A multi-rig drilling campaign is continuing at Rogozna, which will ensure strong and consistent news flow in the coming weeks on multiple fronts, with more results expected from Shanac and the exciting Gradina deposit – which is expected to be a key driver of the next leg of resource growth. All of this work will culminate in our next major resource upgrade, targeted for Q4 this year," said Paul L'Herpiniere.
The discovery of this high-grade copper-gold zone comes at an opportune time, with copper prices trading near all-time highs amid growing global demand for the metal critical to electrification and renewable energy infrastructure.
Why Investors Should Follow Strickland Metals
Strickland Metals presents a compelling investment case with several key attributes:
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Resource Scale and Growth: The Rogozna Project already hosts 7.4Moz AuEq with clear pathways to further expansion through ongoing drilling.
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High-Grade Discovery Potential: The new copper-gold zone demonstrates the project's ability to deliver high-grade discoveries that could significantly enhance the overall economics.
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Multi-Commodity Exposure: The polymetallic nature of the deposits provides exposure to gold, copper, zinc, lead, and silver, offering natural diversification.
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Strong Financial Position: With $32.7 million in cash and liquid assets, the company is well-funded to execute its exploration strategy without near-term dilution concerns.
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Clear Development Timeline: The company has articulated a clear path forward, with a resource update targeted for Q4 2025, providing investors with a defined catalyst horizon.
As Strickland continues to uncover the full potential of the Rogozna Project, today's announcement of a new high-grade copper-gold zone represents another significant step in establishing the company as an emerging mid-tier precious and base metals producer in Europe's mining-friendly jurisdiction of Serbia.
Ready to Capitalise on Europe's Next Major Copper-Gold Discovery?
Discover why Strickland Metals' high-grade copper-gold mineralisation at the Rogozna Project could represent a significant investment opportunity in the European resources sector. With 7.4Moz AuEq already defined and exceptional new drill results revealing copper grades up to 6.8%, Strickland is rapidly establishing itself as an emerging mid-tier producer. To learn more about this compelling investment opportunity and stay updated on the company's aggressive exploration program, visit Strickland Metals' website today.
