Copper Exploration, Western Australian Exploration

Copper Exploration

Aditya Birla Minerals is primarily focused on copper production but holds copper exploration tenements around existing Nifty and Mt Gordon operations, as well as at the Maroochydore Copper Project. Focusing on underground mining in Queensland and Western Australian copper mines, little exploration drilling has been undertaken.

Since inception in 2003, Aditya Birla Minerals has concentrated on mine development and reserve delineation drilling adjacent to current operations. Although little copper exploration has been undertaken to date, the company aims to significantly increase its exploration activities at both sites, particularly at Mt Gordon copper mine in Queensland, Australia, where an early discovery could have a major effect on the economics of the operation. In addition to copper exploration in Australian copper mines, Aditya Birla Minerals plans to pursue exploration and development opportunities beyond its existing operations on an international level.

Advanced Queensland and Western Australian Exploration

Aditya Birla Minerals holds copper exploration tenements around the Birla Nifty Copper Operation (BNCO) in the Great Sandy Desert, WA and the Mt Gordon Copper Operation (MGO) located in the Mt Isa Block, QLD. In addition to these copper exploration tenements, the company obtained exploration rights to the Maroochydore Copper Project. The tenements are actively explored using exploration and underground drilling, geophysical and geochemical methods to discover economic copper deposits.

The most advanced project is Maroochydore with a Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) compliant resource of 41.4Mt at 0.8% copper. Aditya Birla Minerals owns 100% of the Maroochydore deposit which is subject to a 50% buy-back clause to Straits Minerals Ltd.

Birla Nifty Exploration

The copper exploration operations at the Birla Nifty plant in 2008 showed massive Sphalerite and pyrrohotite intersected with a best intercept of 17m at 7.36% zinc. Down hole EM completed in 2009 showed conductive zone extends to the north and drilling is planned to test strike extents.

Maroochydore Project

Maroochydore has copper resources of 41.4Mt at 0.8% copper and Aditya Birla Minerals is strongly focussed on converting those resources into reserves, as well as identifying a higher grade sulphide mineralisation.

Mt Gordon Copper Exploration

Aditya Birla Minerals holds a large area of prospective ground in the immediate Mt Gordon district. An extensive geophysical review has been undertaken and a VTEM survey is planned for 2010.

Black Diamond Prospect

Aditya Birla Minerals have a first pass intercept of 12m at 0.99% copper from this prospect from 2009 drilling and follow up drilling is planned for 2010.

Bluff Prospect

The Bluff prospect, 10km south of Mt Gordon intersected a low grade zone of mineralisation with intercepts up to 25m at 1.08% copper (ECHDDH003, from 86m).

Contact us for more information on copper exploration, copper production, underground mining, Birla Nifty copper mine in WA, Birla Mt Gordon copper mine in QLD or copper investment opportunities.

To learn more about our credible copper production, copper exploration , copper mine in WA and QLD, copper mining, underground mining or copper investment opportunities, copper operations, contact Aditya Birla Minerals.