Solstice Minerals: Advancing a Strategic Copper-Gold Asset in WA's Mining Heartland
Solstice Minerals (ASX: SLS) is ramping up exploration at its advanced 100%-owned Nanadie Copper-Gold Project in Western Australia, with a 5,000-metre RC drilling program scheduled to commence this month. This campaign marks a significant step in the company's strategy to expand the existing mineral resource and capitalise on the favourable long-term outlook for copper.
Strategic Resource Poised for Expansion
The Nanadie Copper-Gold Project sits within a large, granted Mining Lease approximately 100km northwest of Sandstone, WA. The project is underpinned by an existing Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 40.4 million tonnes at 0.4% copper and 0.1g/t gold, containing 162,000 tonnes of copper and 130,000 ounces of gold.
What makes Nanadie particularly compelling is its impressive scale and geometry. The mineralisation forms a disseminated sulphide-style copper-gold system that extends 150 metres wide and 900 metres long, and remains open laterally in multiple directions and at depth.
"Nanadie is a disseminated sulphide style copper-gold system of impressive scale and geometry, that is secured by granted Mining Lease tenure and located in an established West Australian mining environment. In this exciting first drill campaign we will be testing lateral, along strike and down-dip targets that extend well beyond the margins of the current Mineral Resource, as well as increasing drill density in key positions within the system."
— Nick Castleden, CEO and Managing Director
The upcoming drilling program aims to prove that this already significant deposit can become materially larger, potentially adding substantial value to Solstice's asset portfolio.
Inside the Upcoming Drilling Campaign
The maiden 5,000-metre Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program will comprise approximately 18 drillholes, with most planned on 40m-spaced intermediate drill traverses. This strategic approach is designed to:
- Test lateral extension targets beyond the current resource boundaries
- Increase drilling density in key areas within the current block model
- Provide critical information about mineralisation below the current block model
Solstice's geologists have completed systematic re-logging of historical drill cores, establishing a robust interpretation of the copper-gold mineralisation and host mafic intrusive package. This work has generated an updated structural interpretation that has defined compelling step-out expansion targets.
The southeastern portion of the deposit offers particular promise, as it remains unconstrained at the margins of drilling information and shows potential for fold and/or fault repetitions to extend the host geology eastward. Drillholes in this area are often mineralised to the end of hole, suggesting the system may extend significantly beyond current boundaries.
Understanding Disseminated Sulphide Copper Deposits
For investors new to copper exploration, understanding the significance of "disseminated sulphide" deposits is important. This type of mineralisation features copper-bearing minerals (in this case, primarily chalcopyrite) distributed throughout the rock mass, rather than concentrated in narrow veins.
Disseminated deposits typically offer several advantages:
- They can be mined using lower-cost bulk mining methods
- They often provide more consistent grades across the deposit
- They can represent very large tonnage opportunities, making them attractive development targets
At Nanadie, approximately 90% of the MRE is fresh rock mineralisation below 40m depth, comprising disseminated and remobilised veinlet-style chalcopyrite with significant zones exceeding 1% copper where vein density increases. Importantly, increased chalcopyrite veining typically coincides with higher gold values, enhancing the project's economic potential.
High-Grade Zones Enhance Project Economics
While the overall resource grade of 0.4% copper and 0.1g/t gold is significant, historical drill intercepts highlight higher-grade zones within the deposit:
Drill Hole | Intercept | Copper Grade | Gold Grade |
---|---|---|---|
NWD2003 | 107.8m | 0.91% Cu | 0.24g/t Au |
NWD2004 | 76m | 0.85% Cu | 0.39g/t Au |
NWD2101 | 122.3m | 0.61% Cu | 0.15g/t Au |
NRC05020 | 81m | 0.79% Cu | 0.23g/t Au |
These substantial high-grade intercepts suggest potential for higher-grade zones within the broader mineralised envelope, which could significantly enhance project economics in future development scenarios.
Future Plans and Catalysts
Solstice views the upcoming drilling program as a "proof-of-concept" initiative that could pave the way for systematic resource expansion. Success in this initial phase would unlock further drilling campaigns targeting:
- Robust step-out geological targets identified in a first-principles geological review completed in H1 2025
- On-trend IP chargeability anomalies recently outlined to the north and south of current drilling
- Further depth extensions to the mineralised system
Beyond Nanadie, Solstice maintains an active exploration program across its 1,650km² Yarri Project, located 150km northeast of Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields. Recent drilling has yielded promising results at the Bluetooth and Statesman Well prospects, along with strong fresh rock gold intercepts at the emerging Edjudina Range gold discovery.
The company anticipates steady news flow throughout the remainder of 2025, supported by a strong cash position of $15 million as of June 30, 2025.
Why Copper, Why Now?
Copper is increasingly viewed as a critical metal for the global energy transition, with applications in renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Industry analysts predict a significant supply gap emerging in the coming years as demand growth outpaces new mine development.
High-quality copper growth assets in established mining regions with limited competing land use are increasingly rare, making Nanadie a potentially strategic asset in Solstice's portfolio.
Investment Proposition: Why Investors Should Watch Solstice
Solstice Minerals presents a compelling investment case for several reasons:
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Advanced Copper-Gold Asset: The Nanadie project offers immediate exposure to a substantial copper-gold resource with clear expansion potential.
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Strategic Location: Operating in an established mining jurisdiction within Western Australia provides infrastructure advantages and reduced development risk.
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Multiple Growth Pathways: Beyond resource expansion at Nanadie, the company's gold exploration at Yarri provides additional upside potential.
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Strong Financial Position: With $15 million in cash, Solstice is well-funded to advance its exploration and development plans without immediate financing concerns.
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Experienced Leadership: Under CEO Nick Castleden, the company is pursuing a methodical, geology-driven approach to resource expansion and discovery.
With copper's increasingly favourable supply-demand outlook and the company's disciplined approach to creating value through the drill bit, Solstice Minerals represents an opportunity for investors seeking exposure to critical metals in a premier mining jurisdiction.
Looking to Invest in Critical Metals for the Energy Transition?
Discover why Solstice Minerals' advanced Nanadie Copper-Gold Project with its impressive 162,000 tonnes of copper and 130,000 ounces of gold resource offers compelling investment potential. With drilling underway to expand this strategic asset and a strong $15 million cash position, Solstice is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing global copper demand. Visit Solstice Minerals' website today to learn more about their strategic copper-gold assets and investment opportunities in Western Australia's premier mining jurisdiction.