Figure 1: Long section of Childs Aldwinkle breccia domain with gold intercepts. Source: Faraday Copper Corp.
Faraday Copper (TSX:FDY) recently announced the results of gold assays from archived material from the Childs Aldwinkle breccia at their Copper Creek project in Arizona, USA. The samples, which had not been previously tested for gold, were analyzed to improve data coverage. The outcomes have reinforced the company’s position that the project holds extractable gold, adding another layer of value to the site.
Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented in a press release: “We are pleased to provide the first results of the gold program after completing analysis of the Childs Aldwinkle breccia. The results show near-surface gold mineralization in the current resource pit shell and demonstrate the potential to add a gold by-product, further enhancing the value of the project. The team has been able to advance our thesis of payable gold in the resource by utilizing the historical drill core and pulps that previous operators did not analyze for gold. With Childs Aldwinkle assay results now received, the Company is currently preparing samples from other high-priority breccias and we look forward to presenting results as they are available.”
In past results, the focus of sample analysis was largely on copper, with gold getting considerably less attention. Faraday Copper aims to increase the amount of gold data available for potential incorporation into future resource updates. Besides gold, the samples are also being reassessed for copper, silver, and molybdenum to cross-check historical findings. Childs Aldwinkle is the first breccia selected for this multi-elemental analysis.
Figure 2: Correlation of copper and gold intercepts at the Childs Aldwinkle breccia. Source: Faraday Copper Corp.
The results from Childs Aldwinkle indicated a robust correlation between gold and copper, observed as a 1:10 gold (g/t):copper (%) ratio. According to a technical report effective as of May 3, 2023, the breccia is estimated to contain about 3.3 million tonnes of mineralized material. This correlation suggests that the gold is mineralogically bound with copper and is expected to be included in copper concentrate. However, it’s important to note that this ratio and gold presence have not yet undergone a complete metallurgical or economic assessment, which means it is not yet classified as part of an official mineral resource.
Faraday Copper has initiated a metallurgical program to gather more information on the recoverability of gold. This will involve variability tests across multiple breccia domains to further understand how gold behaves in different settings.
Looking ahead, Faraday Copper plans to continue re-analyzing older samples, with an eye towards potentially including more gold data in future resource estimations. Additional areas under consideration for this gold program include the Copper Prince and Pole breccias, as well as the Keel underground zone. A new drilling program is set to kick off in October 2023, aiming to expand the Mineral Resource Estimate, better outline high-grade mineralized zones, and perform reconnaissance drilling on new targets.
The company is working towards releasing an updated technical report in the first half of 2025. This will include findings from their upcoming Phase II and III drilling programs, the ongoing gold program, and metallurgical studies.
Highlights from the results are as follows:
Significantly increased analytical coverage for gold at Childs Aldwinkle with 743 new gold assay results in addition to 120 historical gold results.
Examples of intercepts with new gold assays and re-assayed copper include:
219.46 m (“metres”) at 3.29% copper and 0.31 g/t gold from 24.38 m in drill hole CA-5R;
94.49 m at 1.12% copper and 0.13 g/t gold from 341.38 m in drill hole CA30+3; and
56.38 m at 1.32% copper and 0.29 g/t gold from 150.88 m in drill hole CC-2.
A weighted average of 0.16 g/t gold and 1.52% copper is calculated for mineralized intercepts for which gold analytical data is available1.
Gold and copper are well-correlated on an intercept basis with an overall ratio of approximately 1:10 gold (g/t):copper (%) at Childs Aldwinkle.
Historical metallurgical test work suggests high gold recoveries in the copper concentrate. The Company has initiated a metallurgical program to confirm gold recoveries.
As part of the gold program, copper was re-assayed. These results confirm historical data, providing additional confidence in the database.
Phase III drill program is expected to commence in October 2023.
Table 1: Intercept values at the Childs Aldwinkle breccia
Drill Hole ID
From
To
Length
True width
Cu
Au
Ag
Mo
(m)
(m)
(m)
(m)
(%)
(g/t)
(g/t)
(%)
CA-4R
12.19
30.84
18.65
N/A
0.48
0.02
1.47
0.0042
CA-4R
64.01
82.30
18.29
N/A
0.36
0.02
0.82
0.0016
CA-5R
24.38
243.84
219.46
N/A
3.29
0.31
13.88
0.0770
CA28+3A
441.96
496.83
54.87
32
0.45
0.03
1.30
0.0004
CA28+4
512.07
566.93
54.86
30
1.84
0.17
4.69
0.0320
CA30+3
341.38
435.87
94.49
60
1.12
0.13
4.55
0.0230
CA30+4
438.91
496.83
57.92
36
0.40
0.03
1.08
0.0006
CA32+3
341.38
390.15
48.77
34
1.64
0.21
5.50
0.0320
CA32+5
330.40
360.88
30.48
21
0.99
0.10
3.69
0.0800
CA32+6
256.03
289.56
33.53
22
0.27
0.02
0.67
0.0031
CA34+3
234.70
271.27
36.57
22
0.75
0.05
2.26
0.1106
CA34+4
234.70
280.42
45.72
28
1.57
0.10
5.62
0.0285
CA34+4A
243.84
274.32
30.48
19
0.72
0.12
3.17
0.1007
CA35.5+1
176.78
234.70
57.92
44
0.42
0.03
1.85
0.0130
CA35.5+3
225.55
234.70
9.15
7
0.25
0.02
0.92
0.0016
CA36+7
249.94
277.37
27.43
22
2.49
0.24
9.74
0.0867
CA37.5+1
146.30
179.83
33.53
28
0.41
0.02
1.15
0.0113
CA37.5+1A
124.97
173.74
48.77
44
0.46
0.03
2.25
0.0746
CA37.5+2
134.11
158.50
24.39
22
0.26
0.01
0.72
0.0601
CA38+7
149.35
184.10
34.75
22
2.36
0.19
9.31
0.0179
CA40+7
116.43
135.64
19.21
17
3.48
0.24
10.59
0.0649
CC-2
150.88
207.26
56.38
36
1.32
0.29
5.53
0.0205
MET-2CA
45.72
169.16
123.44
N/A
3.79
0.33
11.57
0.0486
MET-3CA
45.72
152.40
106.68
N/A
3.71
0.35
11.27
0.0169
FCD-23-023
184.72
230.61
45.89
35
1.68
0.33
5.55
0.0280
FCD-23-027
390.72
408.98
18.26
9
0.22
0.01
1.58
0.0080
CA-9R
164.59
182.88
18.29
N/A
2.76
0.28
8.20
0.0206
CATECH
237.74
243.23
5.49
N/A
1.61
0.23
9.43
0.0014
CA28+8
No significant intercepts and incomplete gold data
CA30+6
No significant intercepts
CA35.5+2
No significant intercepts
CA36.5+2
No significant intercepts
CA36.5+3
No significant intercepts
CA36+8
No significant intercepts
Notes: Copper, silver and molybdenum columns indicate re-assayed metal values. Drill holes MET-2CA and MET-3CA were not re-assayed as part of this program. Drill holes CA40+7 and CC-2 are composite samples. For drill holes CA-9R and CATECH, gold data does not cover the entire mineralized intercept and lengths listed are for the portion for which gold data is available. True widths are approximate.
The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.
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