OD6 kicks off Phase 2 drilling at Gulf Creek Copper (NSW)
- Noel Ong
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
Announcement
OD6 Metals Limited (ASX: OD6) commenced Phase 2 drilling at the 100%-owned Gulf Creek Copper Project (NSW), advancing the first modern program over a historically high-grade VMS system. The campaign targets along-strike repeats of the Gulf Creek mine stratigraphy where magnetics, jaspilite exhalites, and surface pathfinders coincide (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Long Section view to SW showing extended view of geophysical modelling and the targets along the West Limb of the Gulf Creek Syncline to the NW anomaly. (source: OD6)
Highlights - A Developing Copper Project
Phase 2 drilling has commenced at Gulf Creek.
Program targets large magnetic/geophysical anomalies interpreted as potential repeats of the high-grade mine stratigraphy.
Untested prospects to be drilled: Big Bend, North West, West Limb—together representing >3 km of untested strike along the magnetite-VMS target horizon near the mine.
Strong empirical link observed between magnetism and massive sulphide mineralisation; jaspilite exhalites provide a surface vector.
Seven priority diamond holes planned initially (~1,750 m), with approvals in place to expand to 25 holes (~7,500 m).
Downhole EM (DHEM) surveys planned post-drilling to refine follow-up targets.
Phase 1 confirmed high-grade copper up to 4.6% Cu beneath the historic mine (ASX 7-5-2025). Historically, Gulf Creek produced among Australia’s highest-grade copper-zinc (averaging up to 6.5% Cu).
Managing Director Brett Hazelden commented:
“We are excited to commence drilling at the Gulf Creek Copper Project, marking the continuation of the first modern exploration on this project.
Phase 1 drilling confirmed mineralisation directly beneath the historic Gulf Creek Mine, and we now turn our attention to the greenfield repeat targets at Big Bend, North West, and West Limb.
These untested magnetic structures extend over approximately 3 km, with modelled depths exceeding 500 m, and were a key driver behind OD6’s acquisition of the project. They are compelling targets with the potential to deliver a large-scale copper system.
Gulf Creek complements our flagship Splinter Rock Rare Earth Project by providing OD6 with exposure to a high - grade copper asset in a proven mining district. With strong global copper demand and the ongoing electrification trend, this project offers a highly attractive near-term growth opportunity for our shareholders.”
Phase 2 Drilling
Phase 2 will test repeat structures northwest of the historic Gulf Creek mine. The three target areas exhibit strong magnetism, surface jaspilites, and multi-element surface anomalism consistent with a Besshi-style VMS cluster model:
Big Bend — strong magnetism; jaspilites; IP response; surface Cu-Ce anomalism.
North West — strong magnetism; jaspilites; surface Cu-Co-Ag-Be-Ce-Zn anomalism.
West Limb — strong magnetism; jaspilites; surface Cu-Ce anomalism.
These targets mirror the magnetic signature of Gulf Creek and coincide with modelled bodies that locally exceed 500 m depth.
Figure 2: Plan view of geophysical modelling and the priority targets Big Bend, North West, West Limb and the historic Gulf Creek Mine (source: OD6)
Compelling Targets
OD6 reports a strong relationship between footwall magnetic susceptibility and massive sulphide mineralisation observed in Phase 1 drilling (e.g., GCC004), across a classic VMS stratigraphy: sediments → jaspilites/sediments → sulphides (including high-grade Cu) → altered basalt with disseminated sulphides. The best copper occurs coincident with the strongest magnetic response, reinforcing the use of jaspilite mapping + magnetics as primary vectors.
Figure 3: Cross section of Historic Gulf Creek Mine with GCC004 drill hole results vs Magnetic Susceptibility (source: OD6)
Program design and follow-up tools
Initial scope: 7 priority diamond holes (~1,750 m) across Big Bend, North West, and West Limb.
Permitting headroom: Approvals secured for 25 holes (~7,500 m), enabling rapid scale-up.
Post-drilling geophysics: DHEM and magnetic susceptibility logging to vector additional conductors for follow-up.
Figure 4: Plan overview of the 7 holes planned to have DHEM. (source: OD6)
Geophysical Framework
A long-section across the West Limb of the Gulf Creek Syncline highlights the continuity of magnetic bodies along strike into the northwest anomaly—interpreted as repeats within the mine stratigraphy. This underpins the more than 3 km of untested strike referenced in the program rationale.
Project snapshot: Gulf Creek Copper (NSW)
District-scale VMS setting near Barraba, historical mining circa early 1900s.
Historic grades reported up to 6.5% Cu; modern drilling in 2025 confirmed high-grade copper beneath historic workings.
Multiple untested high-priority geophysical targets along mine-parallel stratigraphy.
Strategy: modern geophysics + structural/stratigraphic mapping + targeted diamond drilling + DHEM to build a pipeline of conductors.
Why OD6, Why Now?
OD6 is also advancing the Splinter Rock clay-hosted REE Project (WA), with a May 2024 MRE of 119 Mt @ 1,632 ppm TREO (Indicated) and 563 Mt @ 1,275 ppm TREO (Inferred), and an overall ~23% MagREE ratio—supporting a conceptual heap-leach development pathway. Gulf Creek provides copper exposure alongside this rare earths platform.
Samso Concluding Comments
OD6’s second-phase drilling at Gulf Creek is testing what looks like a coherent geophysical–geological model: magnetism + jaspilite exhalites + VMS stratigraphy repeating along the mine horizon. The observed Phase 1 link between magnetic footwall and sulphides has allowed OD6 to follow up on what is potentially a vector that now scales across >3 km of untested strike.
Seven priority diamond holes give the Company a measured starting point, while approvals for ~7,500 m keep the option open to accelerate if early holes validate the model. The planned DHEM is the right follow-up tool in VMS terrain, where discrete conductors often sit just off initial collars.
Historically, Gulf Creek’s copper grades were exceptional for the era. The modern thesis isn’t to re-mine the old stopes—it’s to find repeats of that system in a structurally consistent package imaged by magnetics and supported by surface geochemistry. If the first holes hit the right textures, sulphide style, and alteration, the pathway to step-outs is clear.
The move into Gulf Creek was to establish a new front with the demise of the Rare Earth sector; however, it does appear that there is a resurgence coming back, and I think this is a very good time for OD6.
The recent ASX releases showing that OD6 may be back in the Rare Earth narrative are going to create a bigger story for the company. In hindsight, it is with great fortune that OD6 had maintained leverage to REEs at Splinter Rock.
The dual-track exposure (REEs + copper) is notable in a market that is now rewarding clear technical vectors and optionality across the energy-transition metals space. As always, this is now more of an operational story that will be defined by results, which the Company is flowing well at the moment. DYOR.
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