- Higher-grade copper-molybdenum-gold-silver mineralization is focused along porphyry intrusion contacts; these contact zones have not been the focus of historic exploration drilling.
- The deposit is open at depth, toward the north and toward the east
- Numerous higher-grade targets (porphyry intrusion contacts, step-outs, step-downs, and down-plunge target zones) are present both internal to and adjacent to the Poplar Resource suggesting there is excellent potential to increase the grade and tonnage of the resource.
- The Poplar deposit is one of the few remaining road accessible porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold-silver deposits in
British Columbia with the potential for grade and resource expansion as well as the potential for discovery of additional new porphyry centers within the large land position.
Figure 1. Distribution of Copper-Gold-Molybdenum-Silver
Please click here to view image
Recent high-grade intercepts include drill hole 22-PC-138 which cut 214.4 meters @ 0.500% CuEq* (0.401% copper, 0.15 g/t gold and 1.27 g/t silver) as well as drill hole 22-PC-137 that contained 0.535% CuEq* (0.353% copper, 0.14 g/t gold and 5.91 g/t silver) over the last 216 metres of the hole (see news releases from
* Copper equivalents based on the following: copper
New 3D Geological Modeling of the Poplar Resource
Systematic geological modeling was done at the Poplar deposit to identify the controls on copper-molybdenum-gold-silver mineralization, establish the 3D mineral deposit geometry, and to evaluate the distribution and continuity of higher-grade mineralized shoots (Fig. 1). A first pass core re-logging initiative using historical drill core at Poplar demonstrated: 1) higher grade shoots and zones of the deposit are controlled by intrusive, volcanic, and sedimentary contacts, and 2) the overlap in the distribution of mineralization-distal (quartz-sericite-pyrite) and mineralization-proximal (K feldspar and biotite) alteration assemblages suggest the deposit is the product of two or more overlapping copper-molybdenum-gold-silver porphyry systems (telescoping). Based on this new understanding, the 3D modeling work was constrained by updated lithogeochemical characterization of rock types, modeling of rock type distribution, and by the zonation of alteration minerals and metals.
Lithogeochemical Rock Classification
Previous attempts to construct a 3D geological model for the Poplar deposit have been hindered by a lack of consistently defined key rock units.
Figure 2. Geochemical Modeling Example and Basic Lithologic Relationships at Poplar
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Lithological Modeling
Lithological modeling based on the 2022 core relogging work as well as newly defined lithogeochemical units was completed to characterize the Poplar deposit architecture and to constrain the controls on mineralization. The oldest rocks at Poplar consist of layered sedimentary and volcanic rocks that dip shallowly to moderately toward the east and are intruded by the C Porphyry (mineralized), followed by the X Porphyry (mineralized) and then by a series of sills, dikes, and other post mineral intrusions (Fig. 1). The X porphyry occurs as vertical bodies internal and marginal to the C porphyry. Comparing the orientation of the layered rocks (sedimentary and volcanic) to the orientation of the X Porphyry suggests the deposit may be tilted toward the east, imparting a steep westerly plunge to the magmatic-hydrothermal system. The newly recognized geometry for X Porphyry contacts is a first-order control on high-grade mineralization.
Alteration Modeling
Alteration modeling at Poplar was conducted using 12 representative drill holes across the deposit where higher grade mineralization is present. A Terraspec was used to generate Short Wave Infrared (“SWIR”) data to quantify the alteration mineralogy at regular intervals down the drill holes. Mineralization-distal alteration zones (quartz-sericite and chlorite-epidote) overlap with mineralization-proximal alteration zones (potassium feldspar-biotite) suggesting the deposit may be a product of two or more overlapping porphyry-type mineralizing events (telescoping; Fig. 3). Telescoped porphyry deposits can have mineralized root zones, as well as multiply overprinted high-grade zones with elevated vein density.
Figure 3. Alteration Zonation and Mineralization at the Poplar Deposit
* *Copper equivalents based on the following: copper
Please click here to view image
Targets
The
About Poplar
The 61,566-hectare
Poplar lies in a historic mining region, located 35km from the
Qualified Person
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About
For additional information, please visit the Company's website at www.universalcopper.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Clive Massey”
President & CEO
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Phone: (604) 341-6870
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Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential”, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although
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