Deposit characteristics (according to Weber, 1997 “Handbuch der Lagerstätten“)

  • Deposit type: Stratabound & structure hosted
  • Ore-bearing structures: Ore beds, veins, and fractures
  • Mineralogy
    • Primary: Chalcopyrite, pyrite, Ni-Co arsenides and pyrrhotite
    • Associated: Fe-hydroxides, malachite, Cr-spinel, rutile, chlorite, amphibole, niccolite and chloanthite (white nickel), sphalerite, galena, and native copper.
  • Host rock: Metavolcanic rocks, mostly in the form of rutile-rich chlorite-sericite-quartz phyllites
  • Aeromagnetic surveys of the Geologische Bundesanstalt have revealed that these rock sequences represent a larger intrusive body that dips towards the east. Integrated geological, geochemical and geophysical analyses have yielded significant copper anomalies.
  • Copper reserves/resources* (Status of 1975; metal content in t):
    Deposit A+B+C Reserves Potential reserves
    Kupferplatte (1,0 %) 1000 (1,0 %) 1000
    Kelchalm (1,0 %) 7000 (0,8 %) 4000

    * ‘Reserves’ and ‘resources’ in the A+B+C Austrian reporting standard are based on historic estimates and not comparable to modern 43-101 or JORCclassification standards.

The historic Kelchalpe mines and why they are interesting

  • Mining on the Kelchalpe is prehistoric (13th-9th/8th century BC) and thus the oldest in Tyrol
  • The mine exploited a 1.5m vein of chalcopyrite-pyrite accompanied by ankerite and quartz
  • Surrounding system and gold content was never explored. We believe this is only a small stockwork zone of the regional metalliferous system.
  • Historical data show that in the 19th century the Kelchalpe raw ore contained 2.6% Cu, while the processed ore had a grade of 19.5%. Preliminary estimates (from a 1938 report) indicate the potential for 3.1% Cu-bearing crude ore in deeper/unscored units of the mine.
  • Gold content was never openly reported or assayed, but recent panning across the region showed fine gold present in every valley and stream sampled.
  • The NE-SW-oriented deposit of Kelchalpe is part of a longer chain of deposits spanning approximately 3 km (Kelchalpe-Bachalpe-Wildalpe).
  • Tailings and ore stocks exist around the property from Kelchalpe and may contain notable Cu & Au.

Recent work at Kupferplatte

  • Recon site visit completed August 2021: confirmed new sulphide mineralised veining and extensive structural deformation zones outside of the historic mining area
  • Satellite multispec analysis has highlighted significant unexplored target areas
  • Licence extensions are currently under application following new multispec targets and field observations.
  • Site visit at the Kuhkaser (multispec highlighted target area) completed September 2022: confirmed allochthonous chalcopyrite-bearing rocks.

Planned work at Kupferplatte during summer 2023

  • Systematic field sampling and mapping of all historic targets.
  • 3D spatial modeling of all historic data and records.
  • Drone aeromagnetic survey to investigate extension zones to known deposits.
  • Submission of drill permit applications to test historic mineralisation for compliant Cu-Au-Ag grades and explore potential extension zones to the north-east and south-west of the historic mine complex.