Business · Energy & Commodities · 1 hr ago
Kantra Copper drilling extends Emily Star mineralisation below resource
Kantra Copper has found more copper-gold mineralisation through underground drilling at Emily Star, part of its Kanmantoo mine in South Australia.
The latest results include an 11.45-metre interval grading 1.74% copper, and drilling has reached about 200 metres below the existing resource estimate.
Emily Star's current inferred resource is 2.6 million tonnes, containing about 20,000 tonnes of copper and 7,000 ounces of gold.
The new findings support the possibility of expanding the deposit, though drilling results do not by themselves establish a larger resource.
Emily Star is approved as Kanmantoo's third underground mining front, alongside the producing Kavanagh and Nugent deposits.
The company says the additional ore source could give the mine more flexibility and support higher processing volumes.
Kantra expects to publish an updated resource and reserve statement this month, incorporating results from its 2026 drilling programs.
Stoping at Emily Star is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, while underground development has resumed.
Kantra Copper says underground drilling has intersected Emily Star mineralisation about 200 metres below the deposit’s 2024 resource estimate.
Standout results included 11.45 metres at 1.74% copper and 0.11 grams per tonne of gold.
Emily Star has an inferred resource of 2.6 million tonnes at 0.77% copper and 0.08 grams per tonne of gold.
The deposit is approved as a third underground mining front at the Kanmantoo mine in South Australia.
Kantra expects to release an updated resource and ore reserve statement later this month.
- Who
- Kantra Copper, which operates the Kanmantoo mine.
- What
- Underground drilling has extended Emily Star mineralisation about 200 metres below the 2024 resource estimate.
- When
- The latest results were reported on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- At the Emily Star deposit, part of the Kanmantoo mine in South Australia.
- Why
- The drilling is intended to assess the deposit’s growth potential and inform an updated resource and ore reserve statement.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kanmantoo achieved an underground mining and milling run rate of 1.8 million tonnes per annum.
Emily Star was approved for development as Kanmantoo’s third underground mining front.
Underground development had advanced 194 metres in the incline and internal stockpile area.
Kantra reported drilling that intersected Emily Star mineralisation about 200 metres below the 2024 resource estimate.
Kantra expected to release an updated resource and ore reserve statement.
- Standout intersection
- 11.45 metres at 1.74% copper and 0.11 grams per tonne gold
- Second hole intersections
- 8 metres at 1.33% copper and 0.55 grams per tonne gold; 5 metres at 3.07% copper and 0.14 grams per tonne gold
- Existing inferred resource
- 2.6 million tonnes at 0.77% copper and 0.08 grams per tonne gold
- Depth reached
- 720-metre reduced level, about 200 metres below the 2024 resource estimate
- Development plan
- Stoping scheduled to commence in the second half of 2027
What people are saying
These results further strengthen our confidence in Emily Star as a growth opportunity for Kanmantoo, with drilling continuing to extend mineralisation beyond the current Mineral Resource Estimate.
Resource growth remains a key priority, and we look forward to incorporating the outcomes of our 2026 drilling programs into the updated Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve statement scheduled for release later this month.