Carmen itself has seen a long history of exploration, with almost 150 drill holes completed for 10,000 metres, some dating back to the late 1800’s. Evidence of small-scale, high-grade artisanal mining is also present across the project area, often considered a strong indicator of near-surface mineralisation.
Modern geophysical work carried out in the early 2000’s identified an elongated chargeability anomaly between 100 metres and 300 metres wide and extending for approximately 2.4 kilometres. Follow-up mapping and soil sampling in 2004 confirmed the extent of a copper oxide zone that has since become a key focus for Norfolk.
The near-surface oxide supergene blanket is considered suitable for heap leach processing, supported by historical column tests that delivered copper recoveries of between 72 and 82 per cent. The blanket carries all the hallmarks of manto-style supergene copper mineralisation and is viewed by management as a natural fit for low-strip, fast payback development scenarios.
Norfolk is steadily refining its understanding of the structural controls, geochemistry and the overall scale of mineralisation across both the oxide blanket and the underlying sulphide system. Nearly 1,000 metres of historical mineralised diamond drill core has been quarter-cut and submitted for assay, with results expected in the coming weeks. Those results will feed into an updated geological model, which will then be used to support the eventual delivery of a JORC-compliant resource.
With copper prices powering to all-time highs and global demand continuing to strengthen, Norfolk’s advance into the Carmen–Tabaco Belt is shaping up as a timely and increasingly compelling copper development story.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
