⚒️ Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited reports its Quarterly Activity for the period ended 30 June 2024.
- 3D soil geochemical footprint modelling has identified two potential large drill targets at the Llahuin Copper-Gold porphyry system
- A large copper gold target is emerging at the Curiosity target, Southern Porphyry located 550m below the Santa Maria epithermal vein system with a diameter of over 1km expanding to over 2km diameter at depth
- Two shallower targets at Cerro and Ferro are confirmed near surface by drilling, and further data acquisition and modelling progressing
- No drilling or modern exploration has been completed on the Southern Porphyry Curiosity target before
- 3D drone magnetic inversion completed which further supports the targets
- Southern Hemisphere completed a raise of A$5M via a share placement to institutional investors
- Fully funded to commence a RC and diamond drilling campaign at Llahuin to substantially increase open pit resources towards the scale to commence mining studies.
Figure 1. Location of Company Projects in Chile
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
⚒️ Llahuin Copper-Gold Porphyry Project 100%
The Company reported encouraging results of recent 3D Soil Geochemical Footprint Modelling and 3D Drone Magnetic Inversion Modelling.
This work is part of the process to substantially increase the copper and gold endowment of the Llahuin Copper-Gold Project from the current Independent Resources Estimate of 680,000t Copper Equivalent (measured indicated and inferred categories done in 2013).
Figure 2. 3D view showing geochemical footprint models thematically colour scaled from blue (moderate probability) through to reds and magentas (high probability). Drone magnetic inversion models are in silvery grey.
The Company engaged Fathom Geophysics to apply its proprietary 3D porphyry footprint modelling method at Llahuin. Receivables from this work are a set of wireframe shells representing probabilities of the presence of a porphyry system at a given point in 3D space.
Figure 3: Plan view, showing the geochemical footprint models, drone magnetic deposits and prospects.
Surface soil and surface rock chip samples were used to create two 3D model outcomes over Llahuin. The results of which are encouraging.
Additional data is being collected to refine the models to the point of being drill ready.
A 3D inversion model on the Drone Magnetic dataset was completed to complement the footprint modelling. The magnetic and geochemistry models complement each other, with early phase highly magnetic bodies located adjacent to and above geochemical footprint models.
This work resulted in two new potential drill targets (footprint targets) and a better understanding of the geometry of the porphyry system at Llahuin.
Southern Porphyry Copper Target
The target top is 550m vertical below the Santa Maria epithermal vein system.
It has a pipe like geometry with a diameter of approximately 1km. This extends to approximately 2km depth, where the probability values increase, and the model becomes significantly larger in aerial extent.
The location and geometry are supported by the drone magnetic inversion model, with a strongly magnetic core located above and to the side of the geochemistry model.
Figure 4. Cross section of Southern Porphyry, showing thematically coloured footprint models, drone magnetic inversion models in silvery grey, and existing drilling in grey.
Cerro-Ferro Target
This target begins near surface, consistent with the resource drill patterns at Ferro and Cerro extending outside and below the current Mineral Resources to a depth of approximately 500m.
Then, at depth a significantly larger target develops (Cerro-Ferro Deeps), extending to approximately 1,250m depth.
The Cerro-Ferro Deeps footprint target is approximately 2,200m long (north-south), by 900m wide (east-west), by 650m thick.
This target area and the general validity of the geochemical footprint modelling are supported by existing drilling and the location of the Mineral Resources at Ferro and Cerro.
Further support is provided by the drone magnetic inversion model, with highly magnetic cores located adjacent to the geochemistry models.
Figure 5. Long section of Ferro and Cerro, showing the thematically coloured footprint models, drone magnetic and current Mineral Resources.
Ongoing Programs
Surface sampling programs continued during the quarter, to improve the spatial coverage and analytical information of the datasets. The aim is to improve the resolution of the rock-chip based footprint models to better compare and contrast with the soil-based models, close off and better resolve the Southern Porphyry target, and generally lighten the resolution of the models in preparation for drill testing.
Figure 6. 3D view looking northeast from Southern Porphyry (SP) to Central Porphyry, showing the scale of the Llahuin mineralising system.
The Company has invited tenders from four Chilean drilling companies. The program will initially be RC up to 250m depth, targeting resource expansion, and possible pre-collars for deep targets. Subsequent deeper diamond drilling will, where possible, use historical holes in the right location optimising existing sunk costs and substantially reduce drilling costs of deeper holes.
Sedgman has been engaged to conduct metallurgical test work on several key representative samples from within the current Mineral Resource and advance on prior work completed in 2013. Hyland Geological and Mining Consultants are engaged to complete a Mineral Resource Estimate update for the Llahuin Copper-Gold Project. This will be the first work of its kind at Llahuin since 2013.
A significant amount of new data by re-assaying existing drilling and new drilling has been completed since the 2013 Mineral Resource Estimate to advance the project towards mining studies.
⚒️ Los Pumas Manganese Project 100%
The Los Pumas Project is an advanced manganese deposit for which Southern Hemisphere is seeking offtake/JV funding/sale for a long life mine to produce:
- Agriculture products for soil improvement;
- Electrolytic Manganese for steel making; and/or
- High-Purity Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate (“HPMSM”) to supply the Electric Vehicle (“EV”) and energy storage markets.
Southern Hemisphere is actively marketing this project, and welcome any inquires to cosec@shmining.com.au
⚒️ Lago Lithium Brine Project 100%
The Company’s main focus has been the expansion drilling at Llahuin, therefore no exploration activities took place during the quarter under review on the strategically obtained Lago Lithium Brine Project, located in the renowned lithium-rich Atacama region of Chile and covering an area of approximately 27km2.
The Salar de Atacama is widely recognised for its exceptional lithium deposits operated by the world’s largest lithium brine producers, SQM and Albemarle.
(Refer ASX Announcement, dated 10 July 2023 – Application for the Lago Lithium Brine Concessions in Chile).
Figure 7: Location of the nine new lithium brine concessions
The Full PDF is available below.
News Release
Date: 29 July 2024 | ASX Code: SUH | Frankfurt Exchange: NK4
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Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited is an experienced minerals explorer in Chile, South America.
Chile is the world’s leading copper producing country and one of the most prospective regions of the world for major new copper discoveries. The Company’s projects include the Llahuin Porphyry Copper-Gold-Moly Project, the Lago Lithium Exploration Project, and the Los Pumas Manganese EV Battery Project, all of which were discovered by the Company.
For the latest information about the Company – please visit our Latest News and Corporate Profile pages. We are also on LinkedIn and Twitter (X).
