White Cliff Minerals Unveils Exceptional High-Grade Copper Results at Rae Project
White Cliff Minerals (ASX: WCN; OTCQB: WCMLF) has announced outstanding new assay results from its summer 2025 drilling campaign at the Danvers prospect within its Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada. The latest results continue to demonstrate the significant potential of this emerging copper district.
Spectacular Copper Grades Expand Mineralisation Footprint by 35%
The company's summer drilling program has delivered impressive results highlighted by drill hole DAN25012, which intersected 23m at 5.2% copper and 16.4g/t silver from 82m within a broader zone of 87m at 2.4% copper.
This exceptional intercept expands the drilled mineralisation 100m to the southwest from previous hole DAN25007, which returned 105m at 2.25% copper earlier this year. The results are particularly significant as they extend mineralisation well beyond the historic resource boundaries.
"We are now seeing regular releases from the laboratory, with these latest very encouraging results on par with the Spring Campaign," said Troy Whittaker, Managing Director of White Cliff Minerals. "With more than 6,400m of drilling now completed across the Project, we anticipate significant and ongoing results now through to Q1 2026."
The assay results received to date have successfully expanded the mineralisation footprint at Danvers to a strike length exceeding 500m – representing a 35% increase beyond the historic resource estimate that defined 4.16 million tons at 2.96% copper at a 2% cut-off.
Continuity and Near-Surface Mineralisation Support Open Pit Potential
Additional significant results include:
- DAN25011 intersected 37m at 0.49% Cu from 5m, including 5m at 1.91% Cu and 13.4g/t Ag from 30m
- This hole is positioned approximately 100m northeast of DAN25002, which previously returned 63m at 2.2% Cu
Importantly, assays received to date confirm continuity of high-grade copper mineralisation over significant distance and near surface, which supports potential open pit mining activities. The shallow nature of these copper intercepts represents a significant advantage for any future development scenario.
Understanding Sediment-Hosted Copper Deposits
The Rae Copper Project hosts different styles of copper mineralisation, with Danvers representing a fault breccia-hosted system within the Copper Creek Basalt Formation. However, the project area also contains sediment-hosted copper potential.
Sediment-hosted copper deposits are among the world's most important copper sources, with famous examples including the Central African Copperbelt and Kupferschiefer district in Europe. These deposits typically form when copper-bearing fluids move through sedimentary rocks and precipitate copper minerals along specific horizons.
These deposits form when oxidised, copper-bearing fluids encounter a reducing environment within the sedimentary package. This reduction causes the copper to precipitate, typically as copper sulphide minerals like chalcocite, bornite, and chalcopyrite. The most productive sediment-hosted copper deposits often occur at redox boundaries where oxidised fluids meet reduced sediments.
The presence of copper mineralisation at the contact between the Rae Group sediments and underlying Coppermine River Group suggests similar geological processes may be at work in the project area, potentially indicating district-scale copper mineralisation.
Metallurgical Testing and Next Steps
White Cliff has announced that mineralogical studies and metallurgical testwork will commence immediately to confirm copper recovery rates and determine if the high-grade Danvers ore is suitable for direct shipping operations. Direct shipping ore (DSO) would represent a significant economic advantage, potentially allowing for lower capital expenditure requirements.
With 60% of assays still pending from the Danvers drilling program and all assays still outstanding for the Sedimentary targets, investors can expect a steady flow of news over the coming months. The company has completed over 6,400 meters of drilling across the project, with results anticipated through Q1 2026.
Investment Potential Bolstered by Existing Historic Resource
The Danvers prospect already hosts a non-JORC compliant historic resource estimate of 4.16 million tons at 2.96% copper (at a 2% cut-off). With the mineralised footprint now expanded by 35%, there is significant potential for resource growth.
This copper grade compares favourably to many operating copper mines globally, where average grades typically range from 0.5-1.0% copper. Additionally, the presence of silver credits (with assays showing values up to 16.4g/t) could further enhance the economic potential of the project.
The company's drilling results to date suggest that the historic resource may be conservative, with multiple holes intersecting substantial widths of copper mineralisation outside the historically defined resource boundaries.
Why Investors Should Follow White Cliff Minerals
White Cliff Minerals presents a compelling investment opportunity in the copper space for several key reasons:
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High-grade copper asset: The Rae Project hosts exceptional copper grades that consistently exceed global averages for operating mines.
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Expanding footprint: Recent drilling has expanded the mineralisation footprint by 35% beyond the historic resource boundaries.
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Near-surface mineralisation: The shallow nature of the copper intercepts supports potential open-pit mining scenarios with favourable economics.
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District-scale potential: The project hosts multiple styles of copper mineralisation across a large land package of 1,228 km².
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Strong copper market fundamentals: Copper demand is forecast to significantly increase due to electrification and renewable energy transition, while supply struggles to keep pace.
With copper prices expected to remain strong due to structural supply deficits and growing demand from the energy transition, White Cliff's high-grade copper project in a tier-one jurisdiction represents a timely opportunity for investors seeking exposure to this critical metal.
As metallurgical studies commence and the remaining 60% of assays are received in the coming months, White Cliff Minerals is well-positioned to continue building value at its flagship Rae Copper Project.
Ready to Capitalise on White Cliff's High-Grade Copper Discovery?
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of White Cliff Minerals' exciting copper story as they continue to expand their high-grade resource at the Rae Project. With exceptional copper grades, near-surface mineralisation, and 60% of assays still pending, this ASX-listed company is positioned for significant growth. To learn more about this compelling investment opportunity in a critical metal powering the future, visit White Cliff Minerals' website today.
