Vancouver-based Vizsla Copper Corp. (TSXV: VCU) (OTCQB: VCUFF) (FRANKFURT: 97E0) reported additional findings from an aeromagnetic survey conducted over the Southeast deposit showing zones of considerable high-grade copper and gold mineralization located within the Woodjam Project in British Columbia.
The areas of high-grade porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization at Southeast, for example, the 144.9 meters of 1.21 per cent Cu and 0.55 g/t Au in hole WJ 08-84, are still open laterally and at depth. The project covers an area of 65,252 hectares and is known for its potential to host copper-gold porphyry mineralization.
The survey identified areas of high-grade porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization at Southeast that are open laterally and at depth. Recent drilling by consolidated Consolidated Woodjam Copper (CSE: VCU) in 2021 intersected zones of copper and gold mineralization at Southeast, including 142.4 meters averaging 0.56 per cent Cu and 0.23 g/t Au in the last hole of the program.
Inverted geophysical models generated from the aeromagnetic survey data indicate that untested targets remain, particularly southeast of the deposit where similar magnetic features are present. The top and flanks of these features are considered highly prospective for porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization, but they have yet to be drilled.
Southeast Deposit Area Plan Map. Map via Vizsla Copper.
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Targets identified will be prioritized for core drilling
The Southeast deposit is a large porphyry-related copper and gold deposit within the Takomkane batholith, a large, composite body of early Jurassic calcium-alkaline intrusive rocks. Copper and gold mineralization at Southeast is best developed above and on the northwest flank of a broad magnetic high anomaly which strengthens with depth. The deposit includes zones of considerable high-grade copper and gold mineralization.
To better understand the orientation and controls of the higher-grade zones, further drilling and modelling are required. The targets identified in the inverted geophysical models and the upcoming airborne Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic survey by Geotech Ltd. will be prioritized for core drilling programs planned for later in the year.
The Woodjam Project is located in an area with a low elevation, flat to gently undulating landscape, and is well accessed by logging roads.
It is situated within the prolific Quesnel Terrane, a large regional depositional belt known for hosting both alkaline and calc-alkaline porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposits, including several mines such as Copper Mountain, New Afton, Highland Valley, Gibraltar, Mount Polley, Mount Milligan and Kemess.
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Six zones of porphyry-related mineralization have been identified
Woodjam Location Map. Image via Vizsla Copper Corp.
Since 2009, 281 holes totalling 95,092 metres and a further 114 holes totaling 30,092 metres predominantly from 1998 have been drilled at the Woodjam Project. To date, six zones of porphyry-related mineralization (Megabuck, Deerhorn, Takom, Three Firs, Southeast, Megaton) have been identified, forming a cluster approximately 5 kilometres in diameter.
Further drilling and modelling are required to better understand the orientation and controls of the higher-grade zones, and the upcoming Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic survey will help prioritize targets for core drilling programs planned for later in the year. The Woodjam Project has demonstrated potential for hosting porphyry-related mineralization, with six zones identified to date.
There are several copper-gold companies operating in the Williams Lake area, including Taseko Mines (TSX: TKO), which operates the Gibraltar mine, one of the largest in Canada.
Also, Imperial Metals (TSX: III) operates the Mount Polley open-pit copper and gold mine. Additionally New Gold (TSX: NGD) operates the New Afton underground gold-copper mine.
Shares of Vizsla Copper rose 3.8 per cent to trade at $0.27 on the TSX Venture Exchange.
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