Initial results from the recent resource extension drilling program at Aditya Birla Minerals’ Mt Gordon project in Queensland have provided great encouragement for company officials about the future of the operation. One intersection returned more than 8% copper.

In mid-July, Aditya Birla officials reported significant mineralization between the Esperanza/Pluto and Mammoth Resources at Mt Gordon. One hole intersected a total envelope of 230 metres from 808 metres @ 1.02% copper, 2.12 grams/tonne silver and 385.32 ppm cobalt. High-grade results from this hole include 54 metres @ 3.62% copper, 4.62 grams/tonne silver and 1545 ppm cobalt from 984 metres, including 19 metres at 8.19% copper, 7.26 grams/tonne of silver and 4107 ppm cobalt from 992 metres.

“This high grade intersection is very exciting, and with further work in this area we hope to be able to increase resources,” says managing director Sunil Kulwal.

The results are the first from a 7500 metre campaign of surface and underground drilling testing near-mine targets. The hole returning the strong results will be followed up with a wedge hole to test electromagnetic conductors. Further strike extent test drilling is under way.

Mt Gordon is on care and maintenance in lieu of falling copper prices, a high Australian dollar and high operating costs.

A scoping study completed in February examining potential for Mt Gordon’s conversion into a sublevel caving operation revealed potential for a 19-year mine life producing 49 million tonnes of ore at an average 1.4% copper grade.

ANZ Bank is undertaking a strategic review of the project’s operations; these include all corporate and operational strategies.

Aditya Birla Minerals is a Perth, Australian-based mining company with a focus on copper production and exploration and conducts its activities at the Birla Nifty Copper Operation in the Great Sandy Desert and Mt Gordon in the Mt Isa Block in Queensland.
www.adityabirlaminerals.com.au