Significant Porphyry Copper Discovery at Cangallo
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
January 23rd, 2025
Visit Investor Hub for a video update
SIGNIFICANT PORPHYRY COPPER-GOLD DISCOVERY AT
CANGALLO
Highlights:
•
Maiden drill program at AusQuest’s 100%-owned Cangallo Porphyry Copper
Project has made a significant new large-scale porphyry copper-gold discovery.
•
Multiple wide intercepts of significant copper and gold mineralisation confirmed in
first two Reverse Circulation (RC) drill-holes:
o
348 metres @ 0.26% Cu, 0.06 ppm Au from 6m (CANRC001), including:
▪ 16 metres @ 0.43% Cu and 0.07ppm Au
▪ 26 metres @ 0.36% Cu and 0.07ppm Au
▪ 12 metres @ 0.53% Cu and 0.27ppm Au
▪ 34 metres @ 0.39% Cu and 0.08 ppm Au
o
188 metres @ 0.28%Cu, 0.07ppm Au from 214m (CANRC002), including:
▪ 10 metres @ 0.48% Cu and 0.07ppm Au
▪ 12 metres @ 0.50% Cu and 0.07ppm Au
▪ 12 metres @ 0.43% Cu and 0.09ppm Au
▪ 38 metres @ 0.46% Cu and 0.09ppm Au
•
Mineralisation occurs from near surface and remains open in all directions,
demonstrating the potential for defining a shallow copper oxide resource.
•
Assay results for the six outstanding drill-holes are expected by early February
with broad zones of continuous visible copper mineralisation evident.
•
Located close to significant infrastructure, 25km east of the town of Chala and
within 10km of the coast, the Cangallo discovery has the potential to be a low
capital copper development project.
•
The maiden drill program only tested a very small fraction of the prospective
target area.
AusQuest Limited (“AusQuest” or the “Company”) (ASX: AQD) is pleased to advise that the
maiden drilling program at its 100%-owned Cangallo Project in southern Peru has identified a
new, large-scale porphyry copper discovery close to significant infra-structure, 25km east of
the town of Chala and within 10km of the coast.
Broad zones of visible copper mineralisation – both oxides (malachite, chrysacolla and
brochantite) and sulphides (mainly chalcopyrite) – are evident throughout seven of the eight
holes drilled (see Table 2 below), with significant assay results returned for the first two drillholes.
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The oxide mineralisation is present as disseminations and blebs within the host volcanics
and within porphyry stocks, whereas the sulphide mineralisation occurs within stockwork
veins, veinlets, fractures and mineralised dykes.
The copper mineralisation appears to be associated with sericite and potassic alteration and
is open in all directions, including at depth.
A total of eight holes for ~3,000m of RC drilling were completed using five of the twenty
approved platforms that were spaced ~300m to 400m apart.
Assay results for drill-holes CANRC001 and CANRC002 have been received (see Table 1)
with assays for the remaining drill-holes expected by early February 2025.
Figure 1: Cangallo Porphyry Copper Prospect showing drill-hole locations and copper-molybdenum
assay values from surface sampling.
Table 1: Significant assay results from drill-holes CANRC001 and CANRC002:
Interval
Hole Number From (m) To (m)
(m)
Cu %
Au ppm Mo ppm
CANRC001
6
354 EOH
348
0.26
0.06
12
Including
10
26
16
0.43
0.08
6
Including
58
94
26
0.36
0.07
6
Including
252
264
12
0.53
0.27
32
Including
316
250
34
0.39
0.08
31
CANRC002
18
134
116
0.19
0.04
28
180
208
18
0.18
0.04
59
214
402 EOH
188
0.28
0.07
31
Including
138
148
10
0.48
0.07
72
Including
222
234
12
0.50
0.07
72
Including
320
322
12
0.43
0.09
16
Including
342
380
38
0.46
0.09
33
Ag ppm
0.30
0.09
0.57
1.09
0.44
0.08
0.58
0.38
0.03
0.67
0.41
0.46
2
(Broad copper intervals were determined using a 0.1% Cu cut-off and an internal waste of 4 metres.
Gold, molybdenum and silver values were averaged over the same intervals as determined by the Cu
intersections.
Higher grade intervals (including) were determined using 0.3% Cu cut-off and 4 metre waste
intervals.)
At least two phases of mineralised porphyry intrusions have been recognised in this maiden
drilling program, with the stronger copper mineralisation occurring in tonalite porphyry dykes
that intrude the host volcanics – suggesting the potential for a large intrusive stock nearby.
The results confirm the presence of extensive copper mineralisation (with gold credits)
throughout both drill-holes and the potential for delineating a near surface copper oxide
resource as well as locating deeper sulphide mineralisation.
Earlier geological mapping and rock-chip sampling outlined a partially exposed copper (+/gold) porphyry system, within a large-scale (3km x 2km) caldera-like structure containing
extensive colluvial and younger sediment cover.
The maiden drill program only tested a very small fraction of the prospective target area,
highlighting the potential for a large-scale porphyry copper system occurring near surface.
Context:
Peru is now the second largest copper producer in the world behind Chile, with around 2.8Mt
of copper being mined and processed per annum. The bulk of this production comes from
around 10 large copper projects, mainly porphyries, that are located along the Andean Belt
that extends from Chile in the south to Ecuador in the north.
Porphyry deposits are typically large (often over 1 Billion tonnes of ore), usually opencuttable with low waste to ore ratios. The shallower parts of these ore bodies are usually
oxide ores that can be processed by heap leach methods, delivering lower development
capital costs and use less process energy compared to traditional processing (flotation of
sulphide ores). It also produces pure cathode copper metal as a final product on site instead
of copper concentrates that require further shipping, smelting and refining.
Mining and processing costs benefit from the scale of these operations and there are a
number of profitable large-scale operations (Cerro Verde, Cuajone, Toqueapla, and the
recently developed Quellaveco deposit plus a new approved development at Zafranal)
located within the Arequipa District (where Cangallo is situated) that are mining and
processing ores, including heap leach operations, using head grades between 0.20% and
0.40% Cu. These mines have multi decade mine-lives and are long-lived assets.
The economic viability of the Peruvian resources is often affected by a range of issues
including location, altitude, proximity to infrastructure and quite commonly land usage
conflicts with local communities.
The Cangallo Project is particularly well located with respect to the foregoing factors and
exploration so far suggests that it contains similar copper grades and may have similar size
potential to some of the porphyry copper deposits being mined and/or developed within the
Arequipa District.
Peru is a stable country and the government is supportive of mine developments as they
bring significant wealth to the Peruvian economy and the communities where they are
located.
3
Commenting on the new copper discovery at Cangallo, AusQuest’s Managing Director,
Graeme Drew, said:
“This is a fantastic breakthrough for our shareholders and an extremely exciting way to start
the New Year! Assay results from the first two drill-holes at Cangallo have confirmed the
presence of a large-scale porphyry copper-gold system and a significant new discovery.
We are now eagerly awaiting the results from the six outstanding drill-holes which also
encountered broad zones of continuous visible copper mineralisation and demonstrate the
potential for a near surface copper oxide resource located close to infrastructure as well as
deeper sulphide mineralisation.
Importantly the maiden drill program only tested a very small fraction of the prospective
target area meaning we have only just scratched the surface of Cangallo’s potential”.
Further to this ASX announcement AusQuest Limited (ASX: AQD) advises that its Managing
Director, Graeme Drew, will host a live investor webinar today, to discuss these results.
The webinar – which is open to shareholders, brokers, analysts, investors, media and other
interested parties – will commence at 11.30am (AWST) / 2.30pm (AEDT) on Thursday, 23
January 2025.
You can register to join the webinar via the following link:
https://www.bigmarker.com/read-corporate/AusQuest-Limited-Investor-Shareholder-Webinar
Attendees will be able to ask questions of AusQuest management via the online Q&A portal.
Graeme Drew
Managing Director
Visit Investor Hub for further updates
COMPETENT PERSON’S STATEMENT
The details contained in this report that pertain to exploration results are based upon information compiled by Mr
Graeme Drew, a full-time employee of AusQuest Limited. Mr Drew is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM) and has sufficient experience in the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as
a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of
Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” (JORC Code). Mr Drew consents to the inclusion in
the report of the matters based upon his information in the form and context in which it appears.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This report contains forward looking statements concerning the projects owned by AusQuest Limited. Statements
concerning mining reserves and resources may also be deemed to be forward looking statements in that they
involve estimates based on specific assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact
and actual events and results may differ materially from those described in the forward looking statements as a
result of a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Forward looking statements are based on
management’s beliefs, opinions and estimates as of the dates the forward looking statements are made and no
obligation is assumed to update forward looking statements if these beliefs, opinions and estimates should
change or to reflect other future developments.
4
Table 2: Visible mineralization from geological logging of drill chips from the RC drilling.
Hole Number From To Interval (m)
CANRC001
10
260
250
CANRC001
270 340
70
CANRC001
340 354
14
Cu Ox %
0.1 -1
0.1 - 0.5
CANRC002
CANRC002
CANRC002
CANRC002
CANRC002
70
220
266
312
332
130
250
288
322
402
60
30
22
10
70
0.1 - 1.0
CANRC003
CANRC003
CANRC003
CANRC003
35
70
190
260
50
190
220
366
15
120
30
106
0.1
0.1 - 1
CANRC005
CANRC005
CANRC005
5
55
100
45
95
230
40
40
130
0.1
0.1-0.2
0.1
CANRC006
CANRC006
CANRC006
CANRC006
5
50
120
310
40
100
300
408
35
50
180
98
0.1
0.1-0.2
0.1-0.3
CANRC007
CANRC007
CANRC007
60
246
270
160
266
377
100
20
107
0.1-1.0
0.1-1.0
CANRC008
CANRC008
CANRC008
CANRC008
75
100
266
360
95
250
316
414
20
150
50
54
0.1
0.1 -0.3
0.1 -0.4
0.1 -0.5
Sulphides %
0.1
0.1
0.1 - 0.3
0.1 - 0.3
0.1 - 0.3
0.1 - 0.3
0.1 - 0.5
0.1-1.0
0.1- 1.0
NB: Visual estimates of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or substitute
for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic
interest. Visual estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or
deleterious physical properties relevant to valuations.
5
JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1 report, Reverse Circulation Drilling at Cangallo
in Peru
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Sampling
techniques
• Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised
industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation,
such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples
should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.
• Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate
calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.
• Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.
• In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be relatively simple
(eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was
pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation
may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling
problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may
warrant disclosure of detailed information.
• Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger,
Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of
diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by
what method, etc).
• Samples were collected using a tube sampler by spearing
into each one metre sample bag and compositing samples
on a two-metre basis.
• Sample depths were determined by the length of the rodstring and confirmed by counting the number of samples
and bags at the drill platform as per standard industry
practice.
• A ~4kg sample was collected for representivity.
• Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results
assessed.
• Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the
samples.
• Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample
bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.
• Experienced RC drillers and an appropriate rig were used
to provide maximum sample recovery.
• Minimal to no water was encountered in all drill holes.
• The weight of every bulk 1 metre sample was recorded
and checked for sample recovery estimates. Sample
recovery was acceptable to industry standard.
• The sample weight of every laboratory sample was also
collected and weighed on site for future reference.
• At this early stage of exploration, it is not known if there
is a relationship between sample recovery and assay
grade.
•
Drilling techniques
Drill sample
recovery
1
• RC Drilling with a face sampling bit has been used with a
hole diameter of approximately 132mm.
• No down-hole surveys were undertaken
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Logging
• Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a
level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and
metallurgical studies.
• Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc)
photography.
• The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.
• RC sample chips were collected into chip trays and are
stored for future reference.
• RC samples were logged on site during the drilling by
experienced geologists to identify key rock types and
mineralization styles.
• Sample logging was qualitative with visual estimates of
mineralization made for later comparison with assay
results.
• All one metre drill samples were logged.
Sub-sampling
techniques and
sample preparation
• If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.
• If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or
dry.
• For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation
technique.
• Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise
representivity of samples.
• Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material
collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.
• Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.
• RC samples were collected every 1 metre into large
plastic bags and stored in rows per depth at the drill site.
• Samples were collected using a 50mm tube sampler and
composited on a two metre basis.
• Certified coarse blanks and fine standards are inserted
approximately every 35 samples and duplicates taken
every 20 samples for quality control purposes.
• The sample sizes are considered appropriate for the
geological materials sampled.
Quality of assay
data and
laboratory tests
• The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used
and whether the technique is considered partial or total.
• For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters
used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times,
calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.
• Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external
laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and
precision have been established.
• Assaying of the drill samples is by standard industry
practice.
• The samples are sorted, dried, crushed then split to obtain
a representative sub-sample which is then pulverized.
• A portion of the pulverized sample is digested using a
four acid digest (Hydrofluoric, Nitric, Hydrochloric and
Perchloric) which approximates a total digest for most
elements. Some refractory minerals are not completely
dissolved.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICPMS) was used to measure Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd,
Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg,
Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr,
Ta, Te, Th, Ti Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr,
• Au assays were provided by 30g fire assay with AA
finish.
• Every 2 metre composite sample is also submitted for
Hyperspectral analysis using a TerraSpec instrument and
uploaded into the aiSIRISTM software for mineral
2
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
identification and spectral output.
• Assays are provided by ALS del Peru in Lima which is a
certified laboratory for mineral analyses. Analytical data
is transferred to the company via email.
• Data from the laboratory’s internal quality procedures
(standards, repeats and blanks) are provided to check data
quality.
• The Company collects duplicate samples on an
approximate 1: 20 basis, and inserts coarse blanks on a
1:30 basis and fine blanks on a 1:35 basis and fine
standards are inserted on a 1:35 basis.
Verification of
sampling and
assaying
• The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company
personnel.
• The use of twinned holes.
• Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage
(physical and electronic) protocols.
• Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
• No verification of intersections was undertaken. Drilling
was wide spaced and reconnaissance in nature.
• All primary sample data is recorded onto a printed sheet
on site and uploaded to a site laptop, all geological data is
recorded at the drill platform on a site laptop and
downloaded daily and onto an external backup.
• No adjustments have been made to the assay data.
Location of data
points
• Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole
surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource
estimation.
• Specification of the grid system used.
• Quality and adequacy of topographic control.
• Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
• Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of
geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve
estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.
• Whether sample compositing has been applied.
• Drill hole collars including elevation are located by hand
held GPS to an accuracy of approximately 5m.
• All surface location data are in WGS 84 datum, UTM
zone 18S.
Orientation of data
in relation to
geological
structure
• Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures
and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.
• If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised
structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and
reported if material.
• Any bias due to the orientation of the drilling is unknown
at this early stage of exploration.
Sample security
• The measures taken to ensure sample security.
• Sample security is managed by the operator of the Project.
Procedures match with Industry best practice.
• Samples are collected into securely tied bags and placed
Data spacing and
distribution
3
• RC drill-holes were sited to test for mineralization at
shallow depths within a broader intrusive complex.
Testing for broad zones of stockwork veining associated
with a hydrothermal mineralised system
• Samples were composited on a 2 metre basis.
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
into cable-tied plastic bags for transport to the laboratory.
Each sample batch has a sample submission sheet that
lists the sample numbers and the work required to be done
on each sample.
• Samples were transported to the laboratory by company
vehicle using trusted company personnel.
• Sample pulps (after assay) are held by the laboratory and
returned to the company after 90 days.
Audits or reviews
• The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
• No reviews or audits of the sampling techniques or data
have been carried out to date.
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Mineral tenement
and land tenure
status
• Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or
material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding
royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and
environmental settings.
• The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known
impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area.
• The Cangallo project is located approximately 20 km
east of the town of Chala in the south of Peru.
• The Cangallo project comprises 9 granted mineral
concessions. The tenements are held by Questdor which
is a 100% subsidiary of AusQuest Limited.
• There are no major heritage issues to prevent access to
the tenements. A drill permit (FTA) has been provided
by INGEMMET for the drilling program following
environmental, and community approvals.
Exploration done
by other parties
• Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
• No historic exploration data is available.
Geology
• Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.
• The Cangallo project is targeting Porphyry deposits
along the coastal belt of southern Peru. These are large
scale disseminated copper (and gold) deposits found
within orogenic belts that surround the Pacific Rim. The
deposits can be really large requiring significant drilling
to evaluate.
4
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Drill hole
Information
• A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results
including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:
o easting and northing of the drill hole collar
o elevation or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill
hole collar
o dip and azimuth of the hole
o down hole length and interception depth
o hole length.
• If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not
Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the
Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case.
• In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or
minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually
Material and should be stated.
• Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer
lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated
and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.
• The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly
stated.
• These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.
• If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its
nature should be reported.
• If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear
statement to this effect (eg ‘down hole length, true width not known’).
• All relevant drill hole data and information are provided
below.
Diagrams
• Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be
included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be
limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.
• All drill holes are shown on appropriate plans and
included in the ASX release.
• Drill-hole cross sections will be provided once all the
remaining assays have been received
Balanced reporting
• Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable,
representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be
practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.
• Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but
not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical
survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results;
bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious
or contaminating substances.
• The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth
• At this early stage of drilling, only significant assay
results have been reported.
Data aggregation
methods
Relationship
between
mineralisation
widths and
intercept lengths
Other substantive
exploration data
Further work
5
• Aggregate assay intervals quoted for the RC drill-holes
in this report are based on copper assays, using a cut-off
value of ~0.1% Cu, and maximum internal waste of 4
metres.
• For higher grade intervals a 0.2% Cu cut-off and a 4m
internal waste limit were used.
• All intervals reported are down-hole lengths. True widths
are unknown at this stage.
• The relationship between this first phase drilling and
previous exploration data is shown in the report.
• Future drill hole locations will be determined once the
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).
• Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main
geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not
commercially sensitive.
Drill-Hole Details
Hole ID
Easting
Northing
RL
Azimuth
Dip
Depth
CANRC001
604112
8245063
1189
255
-60
354.00
CANRC002
603751
8244965
1175
75
-60
402.00
CANRC003
603903
8245259
1185
180
-60
366.00
CANRC004
603578
8245251
1176
135
-60
276.00
CANRC005
604117
8245065
1189
75
-60
402.00
CANRC006
604154
8244906
1186
270
-60
408.00
CANRC007
603757
8244971
1175
25
-65
377.00
CANRC008
603890
8245264
Projection: WGS84 Zone 18S
1185
135
-65
414.00
6
current results have been fully assessed.
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