Andina Copper Corporation (TSX-V: ANDC | FSE: FIR | OTCQB: PMMCF) has reported an outstanding drill intercept from hole CDH005 at its Cobrasco Project in Choco, Colombia. The hole was designed to test the southern extensions of the Cobrasco system to a depth of 700 meters, in a large step-out over an area of limited geological data and no prior drilling. Results confirm a large-scale southerly extension of copper-molybdenum-silver mineralization, demonstrating a large multi-phase porphyry Cu-Mo system with newly observed intermediate intrusive phases consistently mineralized over broad intervals.
Drillhole CDH005 was collared from the same platform as holes CDH002, CDH003, and CDH004, oriented due south to test for southern extensions. Unlike earlier holes that intersected a multi-phase quartz-rich rhyolitic to dacitic subvolcanic dome complex, CDH005 is characterized by mineralized diorite to dacite-andesite porphyries. These intermediate lithologies manifest as magnetic intrusive sequences at surface transitioning to a magnetic low “embayment” at depth. The hole intersected visually significant chalcopyrite-dominant sulphide mineralization with weak to moderate sericite alteration overprinting earlier potassic assemblages.
Click here for details on the drill intercepts. The continuity of intrusive phases, alteration styles, and sulphide mineralization throughout the drillhole is supported by wide intercepts of moderate to high grade copper mineralization, interpreted to be associated with the waning stages of potassic alteration transitioning into early sericitic alteration. Assay results support the interpretation of a large and long-lived mineralizing system extending south of the currently defined Cobrasco footprint.
Andina Copper’s President and CEO Joseph van den Elsen commented: “Ongoing drilling at Cobrasco continues to demonstrate the large-scale and relatively shallow nature of Cobrasco Central, with results from hole CDH005 significantly extending the mineralized envelope to the south. With broad spaced holes having tested less than half the target area to-date, we see the potential for a globally significant copper deposit(s) at Cobrasco.”
Step-out drillholes CDH006 and CDH007 have been completed (assays pending), and a new drillhole CDH008 is underway targeting the northern extension of mineralization. Systematic drilling of the emerging large-scale porphyry system is ongoing, with Cu-Mo mineralization defined over a mostly near-surface (upper 650m) zone within a 2500m x 1000m target area. Drilling thus far has tested an area of approximately 1000m x 750m, less than half the potential footprint.
The large, strongly coincident copper-molybdenum surface geochemical anomaly currently being tested by drilling extends approximately 2.5 km north–south and 900 m east–west. This soil anomaly is supported by limited rock chip geochemistry, geological mapping, and geophysical data. A systematic environmental baseline program has commenced across the project area, followed by detailed geological mapping and further surface sampling to support ongoing drill targeting. The Company’s Corporate Presentation is available here.
The significance of this announcement lies in the confirmation of a large-scale copper-molybdenum system that remains open to the south. With the potential for a globally significant deposit, Andina Copper is positioned to accelerate exploration with a second drill rig to systematically explore and define the lateral extents of the system and add volume to higher-grade copper shells intersected in drilling to date.
