Proactive: Cyprium uncovers extensive copper mineralisation in Nifty waste dump

Proactive

Cyprium Metals Ltd (ASX:CYM, OTCQB:CYPMF) has identified extensive copper mineralisation within the historical waste dump at its Nifty Copper Complex in Western Australia, pointing to a potential new feed source for the company’s phased copper cathode restart strategy.

The copper developer said a recent reverse circulation drilling program had targeted visible copper mineralisation in the waste dump next to the historical oxide open pit, with metallurgical test work now planned to assess mineralisation characteristics and leaching performance.

Strong shallow copper hits

Drilling returned multiple shallow oxide copper intersections from surface, including 9 metres at 1.00% copper from 0 metres, including 4 metres at 1.83% copper from 2 metres in hole 26NFLG050.

Other key results included 7 metres at 1.11% copper from surface, including 3 metres at 1.55% copper from 2 metres in 26NFLG060; 9 metres at 0.80% copper from surface, including 2 metres at 1.56% copper from 5 metres in 26NFLG021; and 7 metres at 1.03% copper from surface, including 3 metres at 1.71% copper from 1 metre in 26NFLG049.

The main mineralised zone has so far been defined over an area of 750 metres by 250 metres, with Cyprium expecting extensions to the mineralisation. Further drilling will be required to define and infill the zone, while scout drilling has also identified oxide copper intersections requiring follow-up across the broader waste dump.

Main mineralised zone within the Nifty waste dump with key intersections.

Potential feed source for Nifty restart

The results are significant because the waste dump sits around 1.2 kilometres from existing heap leach pads via existing haul roads, giving Cyprium a potential above-ground, low-cost oxide copper feed source for the refurbished heap leach and solvent extraction-electrowinning, or SXEW, plant.

The Nifty open pit operated between 1993 and 2003, when material was processed through heap leach and SXEW at copper prices below US$1 per pound. Cyprium said historical mining records are largely absent, but visible copper mineralisation is apparent across large sections of the waste dump.

A total of 133 RC holes for 2,697 metres were drilled in the central waste dump area, with holes completed on a 40-metre by 40-metre grid and infilled to 20 metres by 20 metres in the central area. The program intersected extensive copper oxide mineralisation throughout.

Near surface oxides and mineralised zones within the waste dump have potential to support additional cathode production capacity.

Management sees value in historical material

Cyprium executive chairman Matt Fifield said defining mineralised zones within the historical waste dump was “another great example” of the positive outcomes emerging as site work advanced.

“What was set aside in the 1990s as being waste or low grade is now potentially economic – no different to our open pit that has a 0.9% Reserve grade or nearly twice what is often being advanced in greenfield developments today,” Fifield said.

“We’re bringing 2026 market conditions, mechanical horsepower and technology to 1993 geology. Those combinations are helping to build the foundation of Australia’s next great copper company.”

What’s ahead

Cyprium will now focus on further drilling in the core waste dump area, where the limits of mineralisation remain undefined, as well as follow-up drilling around mineralisation identified in scout holes.

The company also plans to engage an external technical consultant to prepare a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the waste dump mineralised zones, while initial metallurgical test work will assess ore sorting and acid leachability.

About Cyprium and Nifty

Cyprium is focused on the phased restart of the Nifty Copper Complex in WA’s Paterson province, about 350 kilometres southeast of Port Hedland. Its Phase 1 Cathode Restart involves re-leaching existing above-ground heap leach pads and refurbishing the SXEW plant to support an initial production capacity of about 6,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode.

The company is also evaluating opportunities to expand cathode production, including shallow oxide material in the open pit, mineralised zones within the waste dump and the potential to recover copper from existing pads at a higher rate.