Lodestar Minerals Unveils High-Grade Gold and Copper Results in Chilean IOCG Belt
Lodestar Minerals (ASX: LSR) has announced promising initial assay results from its maiden drilling program at the Darwin and Three Saints Projects in Chile, positioning the company within one of the world's premier copper-gold jurisdictions.
First Drilling Program Yields Promising Copper-Gold Results
Lodestar's strategic entry into Chile's renowned Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold (IOCG) and Porphyry Copper Deposit (PCD) belt has immediately yielded exceptional surface rock chip results including 247 g/t gold, 229 g/t gold, and 8.09% copper from initial sampling programs.
The company has completed its first pass reverse circulation (RC) drilling program targeting small magnetic anomalies and historical workings across the projects, with over 60% of assays still pending. Early results have confirmed the presence of alteration minerals indicative of potential IOCG and porphyry-style mineralisation systems, as well as high-grade gold veins.
Drilling has identified significant quartz/calcite-rich veins oriented N-S or NW-SE, which correspond to the orientation of the Atacama Fault System – the main mineralised corridor of the region. This structural setting has proven highly prospective for major copper-gold deposits throughout Chile.
The Darwin and Three Saints Projects benefit from exceptional infrastructure:
- Located just 20km from Chile's main highway (Ruta 5)
- 75km southwest of CopiapĂ³, a major mining hub
- 30km from the coast and 90km north of Huasco industrial port
- Year-round access due to low altitude in the Coastal Mountain Range
"The presence of alteration minerals linked to PCDs and IOCG-type mineralisation is highly encouraging for the prospectivity of the ground. All historical workings within and surrounding our tenements display copper and iron oxides and alteration minerals characteristic of world-class deposits in this region," commented Head of Exploration Coraline Blaud.
Untapped Potential: Large Magnetic Anomalies Under Cover
What makes Lodestar's position particularly compelling is the presence of large untested magnetic anomalies identified under cover, along with numerous structures branching off the main Atacama Fault system. The projects are considered significantly underexplored, with no historical drilling prior to Lodestar's recent program.
Historical workings surrounding Lodestar's tenements extend up to 1.8km in strike length, with mines reaching depths of 240m classified as IOCG, Iron Oxide-Apatite (IOA), and porphyry deposits. Multiple mineralised trends from these historical mines extend under cover into Lodestar's ground.
Understanding IOCG Deposits: Chile's Mineral Wealth Generators
IOCG (Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold) deposits represent some of the world's most valuable mineral systems. Unlike traditional porphyry copper deposits, IOCGs are characterised by:
- Extensive iron oxide alteration (magnetite or hematite)
- Significant copper sulfides with gold as a valuable by-product
- Structural control along major fault systems
- Large size potential with grades typically ranging from 0.5-1.5% copper and 0.2-1.5 g/t gold
Chile hosts numerous world-class IOCG deposits, with the most notable being Candelaria (Lundin Mining), located just 70km northeast of Lodestar's projects. Candelaria boasts measured and indicated resources of 1.4 billion tonnes at 0.56% copper and 0.12 g/t gold.
The Atacama Fault System, which runs through Lodestar's projects, is the primary control for many of Chile's significant IOCG and porphyry deposits, making the structural setting highly prospective.
Accelerated Exploration Timeline for 2025
Lodestar has outlined an aggressive exploration plan over the next six months:
| Timeframe | Planned Activities |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | Drone-based magnetic survey over new tenement |
| Mid-June 2025 | Field reconnaissance, re-assay of quartz veins, and geological mapping |
| July 2025 | Soil sampling program targeting newly defined targets |
| Sept 2025 | Second-stage drilling program |
The company is currently establishing a skilled Chilean geological team with local expertise to accelerate exploration efforts across both projects.
Australian Project Portfolio Provides Additional Upside
While Chile represents Lodestar's primary focus, the company maintains a strong portfolio of Australian assets:
Earaheedy Project (Cu-Au, Western Australia)
- 800 square kilometer land package in the emerging Earaheedy Basin
- VMS-style potential in the same age sequence as the DeGrussa copper deposit
- Recent soil geochemistry sampling (650 samples) has identified three new target areas
- Historical drilling returned 2m at 4.65% copper and 3m at 1.97% copper at the Main Gossan prospect
Ned's Creek Project (Au, Western Australia)
- Located 40km from the 5.5Moz Plutonic Gold Mine and processing plant
- Previous exploration returned grades up to 11m @ 29 g/t gold including 1m @ 151 g/t gold at the Contessa prospect
- Gold mineralisation localised along granite intrusive contacts
Strategic Investment in Future Battery Minerals
- Lodestar holds 27.5 million performance rights in Future Battery Minerals (FBM)
- Rights convert upon FBM defining a mineral resource of >10Mt @ 1.0% Liâ‚‚O at the Coolgardie Lithium Project
- Provides shareholders with exposure to the lithium sector at no additional cost
Investment Case: Why Lodestar Deserves Attention
With a market capitalisation of just $1.9 million (share price $0.006), Lodestar presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to high-grade copper and gold exploration in tier-one jurisdictions. The company's strategic positioning in Chile's premier IOCG belt, combined with promising initial results and a clear exploration pathway, provides significant upside potential.
Key investment highlights:
- Strategic land position in one of the world's most productive copper-gold belts
- Exceptional early-stage rock chip results (up to 247 g/t gold and 8.09% copper)
- Multiple large magnetic anomalies identified under cover
- Experienced technical team including Chilean geological expertise
- Strong pipeline of news flow over the next 6 months
- Significant insider ownership with directors holding 9.68% of shares
For investors seeking exposure to high-potential copper and gold exploration in world-class jurisdictions, Lodestar's strategic position and aggressive exploration program warrant close attention as results continue to flow from the company's maiden Chilean drilling program.
Ready to Capitalise on Chile's Copper-Gold Potential?
Discover why Lodestar Minerals' strategic position in Chile's premier IOCG belt could represent a significant opportunity for investors. With promising initial results including grades of up to 247 g/t gold and 8.09% copper, plus large untested magnetic anomalies, Lodestar offers exposure to high-grade copper and gold exploration in a tier-one jurisdiction at an early stage. Visit Lodestar's website to learn more about their Chilean projects and upcoming exploration milestones.
