SSR Mining has released assay results for four diamond drill holes focused on the Copler copper-gold porphyry target (C2) in Turkey, directly below the producing Copler Main pit. These drillholes were completed along a line of 730 metres and all holes hit gold-rich copper porphyry mineralization.
The drill highlights include 241.5 metres of 0.74% copper-equivalent (0.25% copper and 0.58 g/t gold) from 37 metres; and 108.6 metres of 0.86% copper-equivalent (0.26% copper and 0.7 g/t gold) from 103.1 metres.
According to Rod Antal, the company’s president and CEO, the drillholes reported today were completed mid-year and SSR continues to explore this target.
“The C2 results are another example of the long-term potential of Çöpler. It has long been contemplated that there are copper-gold porphyries associated with the Çöpler mineralization and recent in-pit exploration mapping identified mineralization and structures pointing to the possibility of a porphyry,” Antal said in a release. “While we are in the early stage for this exploration target, we are excited by the potential of C2 for a large volume and higher-grade zone close to what will be the ultimate bottom of the Çöpler Main pit.”
Drilling is ongoing with three rigs. The company has also started metallurgical testing on C2.
The Copler mine is currently extracting sulphide gold ore in the Main pit; parts of the latest porphyry intrusive have been exposed in some of the lower benches.
This year, the 80%-owned site is expected to generate 310,000 to 360,000 oz. of gold, at mine site all-in sustaining costs of US$710 to US$760 per ounce. The mine, with a 17-year life, has been in production since 2010. Ore is currently processed through either at a heap leach or (for the sulphide material) through pressure oxidation.
For more information, visit www.SSRMining.com.
