Torr Metals Inc. (TSXV: TMET) (“Torr” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update from its fully funded Phase II drill program at Bertha North, where 1,733 metres (m) of drilling has now been completed within a planned fully-funded program of up to 6,000 m. The first four holes have confirmed a large porphyry-style hydrothermal system, with native copper, chalcopyrite and chalcocite observed in cross-cutting veinlets (Figure 1). Significantly, in hole 26-KO-03 drilling also progressed into an interpreted potassium (K)-feldspar-dominant potassic-altered intrusive unit from approximately 425 to 444 m, within a broader ~104 m sericitic alteration envelope. Copper sulphides appear concentrated along the margins of the potassic-altered intrusive in 26-KO-03, where hydrothermal brecciation and multi-stage veining are also stronger (Figure 2, Figure 3).
Potassic alteration is a key feature of porphyry systems, reflecting hotter and more proximal hydrothermal fluids. Its presence may indicate that drilling is approaching the magmatic-hydrothermal centre of the system, where higher concentrations of copper sulphides may be encountered in certain locations. At Bertha North, this intrusive corridor lies directly within and along the margins of a large chargeability anomaly that strengthens, broadens and remains open at depth, where it is coincident with increased resistivity, providing the Company with its strongest vector to date toward a potential porphyry core.
Hole 26-KO-04 is currently at approximately 180 m and is drilling more directly toward the stronger portion of the chargeability anomaly. Although still within the interpreted argillic zone, the hole has already intersected native copper in near-surface veins for the first time in the Phase II program, together with pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets near the outer margin of the chargeability anomaly. These early observations add further evidence of copper-bearing hydrothermal fluid flow as drilling continues deeper into the target (Figure 3).
Highlights
- Copper Sulphides Confirmed in Altered Corridor: Copper sulphides, including chalcocite and chalcopyrite in cross-cutting and stockwork veinlets, have been observed within the intensely altered corridors in the first four holes, together with native copper in 26-KO-04, providing direct evidence of copper-bearing hydrothermal fluids within the emerging porphyry system (Figure 1).
- Regional Exploration Analogue: As a regional exploration analogue, the New Afton Cu-Au porphyry deposit in British Columbia hosts strong K-feldspar-dominant potassic alteration within the Cherry Creek monzonite, an intermediate intrusive phase interpreted as the source of heat and metals for the deposit¹. Significant primary Cu-Au mineralization is closely associated with biotite-dominant potassic alteration along and adjacent to intrusive margins, providing an important targeting analogue for Bertha North. Ongoing drilling will test the continuation and margins of the interpreted potassically-altered intrusive and the stronger chargeability response for additional intrusive phases and potential sulphide development (Figure 2, Figure 3).
- Hole 26-KO-04 Adds Additional Early Copper Indicators: Hole 4 (26-KO-04) is currently at approximately 180 m core length and, while still within the interpreted argillic zone, has intersected native copper in near-surface veins, for the first time in the Phase II program, as well as pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets near the outer margin of the chargeability anomaly. The hole is continuing toward the stronger and broader portion of the chargeability response (Figure 3).
“With only three holes completed, we believe we are just beginning to unlock the scale and copper-gold potential of Bertha North,” stated Malcolm Dorsey, President and CEO. “What is particularly exciting is that the geological vectors are strengthening as we advance, with copper sulphides, increasing stockwork veining and an intrusive phase affected by hotter, more proximal potassic alteration all pointing us toward the potential centre of a large hydrothermal-magmatic system. Hole 4 is already providing further strong encouragement, with native copper and pyrite-chalcopyrite veinlets encountered while still near the outer margin of the chargeability anomaly. With assays pending, a large and strengthening geophysical target still ahead of the drilling, and multiple targets yet to be tested, we believe Bertha North is at a very early stage with significant discovery potential still in front of us.”
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