Superior Resources Limited (ASX: SPQ) has reported on historical data compilation and reconnaissance sampling at the high-grade Halls Reward Cu-Au-Ag Mine, part of the company’s 100%-owned Greenvale Project in northeast Queensland. Halls Reward historically produced approximately 11,500 tonnes of ore grading 17% Cu, 5g/t Au, and 23g/t Ag before closing in 1958.
Recent analysis of historical drilling has confirmed shallow, high-grade copper mineralisation extending along strike of the old mine workings. Key results from diamond drilling in the 1950s include:
- 4.0m @ 8.8% Cu from 31.6m, including 2.4m @ 13.5% Cu
- 7.0m @ 3.5% Cu from 64.0m, including 1.8m @ 7.6% Cu
- 0.9m @ 6.2% Cu from 52.2m
In addition, drilling in the 1990s identified a subparallel lode 200m west of the main workings, with key intercepts including:
- 21m @ 0.84% Cu from 6m, including 9m @ 1.20% Cu
- 6m @ 0.65% Cu, 0.06g/t Au, 3.5g/t Ag from 66m
- 10m @ 0.89% Cu, 0.60g/t Au, 4.5g/t Ag from 91m
Reconnaissance mapping and sampling have confirmed that the mineralised structure remains largely untested for up to 2km south of the mine. High-grade Cu, Au, and Ag rock chip and mullock samples returned:
- 20.13% Cu, 0.21g/t Au, 58g/t Ag
- 1.62% Cu, 14.48g/t Au, 22g/t Ag
- 2.97% Cu, 6.01g/t Au, 14g/t Ag
Superior interprets Halls Reward as a Cyprus-style copper deposit, with potential for additional high-grade mineralisation along structural corridors. The mineralisation consists of chalcocite, native copper, and chalcopyrite, suggesting strong electrical conductivity. The company plans to conduct an EM geophysical survey to define conductors ahead of a maiden drilling program.
The Greenvale Project hosts multiple high-grade targets, including the Wyandotte prospect, and large-scale porphyry Cu-Au systems at Bottletree and Cockie Creek. Superior is advancing the Steam Engine Gold Project, with feasibility studies underway, and is nearing completion of a JORC (2012) Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cockie Creek porphyry Cu-Au-Mo prospect, expected in Q1 2025.
Managing Director Peter Hwang stated that Halls Reward represents a compelling high-grade copper opportunity. “Limited historical mining targeted only shallow, high-grade ore, and the broader system remains open in all directions. With modern exploration methods, we have the opportunity to significantly enhance the understanding and potential of this deposit.”
Superior plans to extend geochemical surveys, conduct EM geophysical surveys, and drill test the defined targets to further assess the mineralisation at Halls Reward.
