MT technology provides deeper insight for Hammer

Hammer Metals has harnessed the power of magnetotelluric (MT) technology for a fresh look at its Mount Isa Project - one that reached as far as 6km below the surface. The magnetotelluric (MT) survey was completed in March after the company attracted a Collaborative Exploration Initiative (“CEI”) grant provided by the Queensland Government. "The magnetotelluric survey method had not been used previously in the Hammer Metals project area and it was hoped that the use of this technique could provide insights into the geology not available previously," chief operating officer Mark Whittle said. "The method was successful in delineating high conductivity pathways below the Ernest Henry Copper-Gold Deposit. These zones were termed the 'fingers of god'. "The magnetotelluric method is a passive geophysical technique which measures sub surface conductivity. The depth of penetration is largely related to the time each receiver is in place. "Some Geoscience Australia (Federal) programs leave receivers in place for months and in this situation the depth of penetration can be many tens of kilometres. With the Hammer survey, receivers were left in place for up to 12 hours and as a result depth of penetration were in the region of 6km." The survey was composed of two profiles. The southern profile was designed to test subsurface conductivity across the Kalman Au-Cu-Mo-Re deposit. The northern profile tested across several major faults and traversed across the northern margin of the Mt Philp Breccia Complex. The Kalman deposit has a JORC defined resource of 20 million tonnes at 1.8 per cent copper equivalent. Higher grade mineralisation has been seen at depth in the deposit, with the best drill hole at the project intercepting 7.7m at 23.4 per cent copper and 0.5g/t gold. "The southern survey delineated a large conductive target down dip of the Kalman resource at depth," Mr Whittle said. "It is interpreted that this conductive trend could reflect mineralising fluid pathways or possibly mineralisation at depth associated with Kalman. The shallowest of these higher conductivity zones almost extends to surface from approximately 1km below the surface and Hammer is considering further review of other geological information before a potential drill test of this zone." The northern survey, which focussed on Hammer’s Mount Philp breccia project area, also delineated a number of shallow conductive features in close proximity to a number of regional structural features. These areas also present attractive targets for further geological review and potential drill testing in the future. "The survey was a successful and has helped delineate a number of future exploration opportunities in the region," Mr Whittle said. He said Hammer was likely to use the technique further in its regional tenements. " Hammer Metals acknowledges and appreciates the Collaborative Exploration Initiative program that is provided by the Queensland State Government and we look forward to future collaboration in the region," he said. Southern magnetotelluric profile showing the deep conductor trend associated with and down-dip from the Kalman Au-Cu-Mo-Re Deposit Northern magnetotelluric profile showing a number of anomalous shallow conductive responses.

MT technology provides deeper insight for Hammer

Industry Queensland

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