Cooper Metals has appointed Bullion Drilling as the contractor for a forthcoming campaign at the Ardmore North and Attina prospects within the Mount Isa East Project in north-west Queensland.
The programme initially comprises a reverse circulation (RC) drilling plan of approximately 1,680m across 14 holes at Ardmore North, focusing on a copper-gold anomaly spanning 1.5km.
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Soil and rock chip samples from Attina have been dispatched for assay.
Cooper is working to obtain approvals for an additional 1,200m of RC drilling nearby, targeting copper and gold mineralisation.
Drilling activities are scheduled to commence in June 2026.
Exploration activities are currently under way on the ground, bolstering the pipeline of drill targets.
The Ardmore North prospect is situated to the south of Carnaby Resources’ projects and directly adjacent to Austral Resources’ recent success at Snow Queen.
Discovered in 2023 during Cooper’s geologists’ sampling programme, the area displays significant gold and copper concentrations in rock-chip samples and a north-east-trending copper anomaly in soil data.
Pre-drill logistics have been finalised, including the cultural heritage survey over the planned drill pads and access tracks, securing land access with the pastoral station and obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals.
The drilling at Ardmore North, set to reach depths of approximately 120m, is expected to last two weeks, starting in June 2026.
Attina, located within EPM 19125, is situated to the south of the Ardmore North area and is 5.5km north-east of Carnaby Resources’ Mount Hope project.
It is said to have produced the highest gold grades in recent years, with sample MER386 indicating 52.8 grams per tonne gold and 12.35% copper.
Geological reviews and target generation continue at Attina, with plans for up to ten RC holes, pending final confirmations before the drill mobilisation.
Cooper Metals executive director Tim Armstrong said: “We are very pleased to have Bullion Drilling on board for the upcoming drill programme starting at Ardmore North.
“With all approvals in place at Ardmore North and the team ready to mobilise, after a lengthy wet season we look forward to a busy period of drilling in June.
“The Ardmore North and Attina prospects represent compelling copper and gold targets and we are excited to begin testing them.”
