Stelar Metals (ASX:SLB) reported results from the second round of rock chip sampling at its Lone Pine prospect, revealing copper and silver concentrations.
The assays showed copper grades reaching up to 24.9%, with all samples surpassing 5% copper.
Additionally, this is the first time high-grade silver assays have been recorded at Lone Pine, with levels up to 211 g/t. Lone Pine is situated 7.5km west of the historic Baratta Copper Mine on the Bibliando Dome's western flank.
Early-stage reconnaissance mapping has indicated that the geology at Lone Pine mirrors that of Baratta, characterised by stacked Fe-Cu gossans over a 400m strike length.
Colin Skidmore, CEO of Stelar Metals, remarked on the positive findings, stating, "Lone Pine rock-chip results exceed the excellent results we saw at the strike-extensive Baratta Mine Area, and these are the first high-grade silver assays recorded on the project."
He further added, "These new results indicate abundant high-grade copper and silver at Lone Pine."
Stelar Metals is particularly interested in the geological setting of Baratta, which they compare to the Central African Copper Belt, the world’s second-largest copper-producing province.
The sediment-hosted stratabound copper mineralisation shows promise for future exploration.
Stelar Metals plans to continue geological mapping and rock chip sampling at the main Baratta Mine area to discover additional parallel gossans and define their strike potential.
The next phase of work involves reprocessing and interpreting historical geophysical datasets, with reconnaissance of the Bibliando Diapiric breccia scheduled for early October.