West Cobar Completes RC Drilling Across Five Priority Copper-Gold Targets at Fraser Range.
- Noel Ong
- Jul 18
- 5 min read
Announcement
Fraser Range Drilling Campaign Completed
West Cobar Metals Limited (ASX: WC1) has concluded a focused reverse circulation (RC) drilling program across its wholly owned Fraser Range Project in southern Western Australia. Situated 120 km north-east of Esperance, this region sits within the Biranup Zone—an important structural corridor adjacent to the Fraser Zone, host of the Nova-Bollinger nickel-copper deposit.
Figure 1: Geology showing the five IOCG and BHT targets to be tested, and areas containing established resources (source: WC1).
The program delivered nine RC holes across five compelling targets (Figure 1) for a total of 1,958 metres drilled.
Highlights
✅ Nine RC holes drilled, totalling 1,958 metres
✅ Five greenfield prospects tested, targeting IOCG and BHT-style copper-gold systems
✅ Assays due early August 2025, with geochemical analysis to guide follow-up programs
✅ Program fully funded under the Minrex Resources Ltd farm-out agreement
Targeting IOCG and BHT Systems - Copper and Gold Story.
The exploration focus revolved around five well-defined geophysical targets—three of Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) nature and two Broken Hill-type (BHT) systems. These targets were developed through a reprocessing of historical geophysics and reflect structurally complex zones within the Biranup Zone of the Albany Fraser Mobile Belt (AFMB).
This belt, composed of high-grade metamorphic gneisses and granites, is a regionally significant mineral terrane that remains underexplored compared to other parts of WA. West Cobar’s approach is methodical—greenfields targeting based on geophysical interpretation, supported by heritage clearance and geochemical validation.
Awaiting Assays – Next Steps
Assay results are expected in early August 2025. Once received, West Cobar will evaluate the data for geochemical vectors and alteration indicators. This will determine the path forward for a follow-up drill campaign, which may include aircore (AC) and additional RC drilling.
The drilling program was entirely funded by Minrex Resources Ltd (ASX: 26 March 2025) as part of the farm-out option agreement announced in March 2025, allowing West Cobar to progress significant ground without equity dilution or capital raise pressures.
West Cobar’s Managing Director, Matt Szwedzicki, commented:
“We have successfully carried out an RC drill program testing major greenfield targets from modelled geophysical data in outstanding structural settings, under a funding deal with Minrex Resources Limited. We look forward to receiving assay results over the next few weeks, which will enable us to fully evaluate the potential of the project and to plan the next stage of exploration.”
Technical Observations
All drill holes were geologically logged at 1-metre intervals.
A Schramm T450 RC rig with 5.7” hammer bit was used.
Sample quality and recovery were deemed acceptable for first-pass work.
Drill collars were located via handheld GPS (±3m) with downhole surveys every 10m.
All chip samples were photographed and stored in trays for future reference.
Work was conducted under heritage agreements with the Ngadju Native Title Claim.
Samso Concluding Comments
The Fraser Range remains one of Western Australia’s most enigmatic mineral frontiers. While it is well-known for nickel-copper discoveries, West Cobar’s focus on copper-gold systems—specifically IOCG and BHT styles—is a strategic pivot. These deposit styles have the potential to deliver scale and grade, particularly when underpinned by large structural settings as seen here.
The greenfield nature of this program should not be overlooked. This is the start of a systematic campaign on underexplored tenure in a proven belt. The farm-out agreement with Minrex has also de-risked the financial execution of this first pass, which is notable in today’s capital-constrained environment.
What comes next is crucial. The assay results, due in August, will offer the first real geochemical dataset over these targets. If the results demonstrate alteration halos or sulphide associations, we may be looking at the early signals of something significant.
For now, it’s a classic Samso moment—one of patience and perspective. It’s still early days, but the work so far ticks the boxes of disciplined, technically led exploration.
The Samso Way – Seek the Research
This is the research play in motion. West Cobar’s approach—leveraging geophysics, preserving capital, and drilling for major copper-gold systems—epitomises what Samso looks for in early-stage exploration. Low market cap. High geological intent. And now, a clear timeline with assays due in August. The Samso Way is to keep this one on your radar.
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