Loyal Metals will use high-tech drone survey to unlock copper-gold targets at historic mine

Loyal Metals is using modern exploration including a high-tech geophysics drone survey to identify new copper-gold targets.

No geophysics has been done since 1997 despite copper and gold prices rising by 664% and 1,317% respectively. Pic: Getty Images.

• LLM to launch high-tech survey to delineate new targets at Highway Reward mine

• Survey can investigate depths 3-4x deeper than when the project was historically mined

• Modern exploration backed by $4.4m in available funding

Special Report: Loyal Metals will launch the world’s highest-resolution geophysical survey, a drone-based MobileMTd survey, over its Highway Reward copper-gold mine in Queensland.

The mine, which previously produced 3.65Mt at 5.7% copper and 260,000t at 4.5 g/t gold, has seen no geophysics since a feasibility study in 1997 — despite copper and gold prices increasing by 664% and 1,317% respectively.

This is where Expert Geophysics’ cutting-edge MobileMTd technology comes into play. The tech is capable of investigating depths beyond 1,000 metres.

For context, the historical mine was only mined to depths of around 220m for the open pit, and 390m underground.

The aim of the survey is to generate a high-resolution 3D model to highlight remnant mining and exploration potential at the project.

Loyal Metals (ASX:LLM) said the results would be integrated with existing exploration and mining data to enable AI-powered software to model subsurface geology and define new drill targets at depth and along strike.

An Expert Geophysics MobileMTd drone taking off at the Highway Reward copper-gold mine with a broad-band probe. Pic: LLM

Next phase of discovery

Backed by $4.4m in available funding, LLM is well-positioned to apply modern exploration techniques and unlock the next phase of copper-gold discovery at Highway Reward.

“The presence of exceptionally high-grade historic copper lenses supports our bold decision to implement a closely spaced survey, aimed at unlocking the full potential of this unique VMS system,” LLM managing director Adam Ritchie said.

"By combining MobileMTd technology with extensive historical data and AI-powered modelling, we’re unlocking geological insight rarely seen in the industry.

“Our strong partnership with Expert Geophysics, gives us confidence this survey will deliver outstanding results.

“With solid funding and modern tools, Loyal is ready to reignite exploration at Highway Reward and uncover its next chapter."

Along with the historical mine, the project hosts a 3km northeast-trending corridor of underexplored massive sulphide mineralisation which will also be subject to the MobileMTd survey.

This article was developed in collaboration with Loyal Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.