Cooper Metals returned rock chip and trench sampling assays of up to 5.36% copper and 5.16 g/t gold from the Mt Isa East Project in Queensland ahead of reverse circulation drilling assay results.

Final results from 52 surface samples at Ardmore North—comprising four rock chips and 48 continuous two-metre trench intervals over 96 metres—defined copper-gold anomalism across the target zone.

Rock chips collected from a cleared drill pad returned 5.36% Cu and 5.16 g/t Au from a quartz vein containing malachite, and 1.66% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au from a hematite-magnetite ironstone. A reconnaissance rock chip of hematite-magnetite gossan returned 0.82% Cu and 2.25 g/t Au. Continuous trench sampling across the target area yielded a peak interval of 0.42% Cu and 0.13 g/t Au over two metres from sample 2606RK-029, coincident with a hematite-magnetite ironstone.

“These are encouraging results ahead of our maiden drilling at Ardmore North and Attina. Rock chips from the drill pad returned 5.36% Cu and 5.16 g/t Au, and the trench has confirmed the position of copper-gold anomalism across the target zone ahead of the RC holes. Together with the reconnaissance sample at 0.82% Cu and 2.25 g/t Au, this adds real definition to our understanding of the Mt Isa East Project as we continue to refine targets.”

— Tim Armstrong, Executive Director

Cooper Metals holds approximately 1,200 square kilometres of granted tenements and applications across its tenure in the Mt Isa region. Beyond Mt Isa East, the company holds the Gooroo gold and copper-gold project in Western Australia's Murchison Province and the Gilberton project in Queensland. Meanwhile, regional activity in the district includes neighbouring explorer Hammer Metals reporting final drill results from its Kalman project in August 2026, including 165 metres at 2.24% copper equivalent.

Samples from the completed reverse circulation drilling program at Ardmore North and Attina have been submitted to the laboratory. Assay results are anticipated approximately six to eight weeks from submission.

Read the full announcement: Rock Chip and Trench Sampling up to 5.36% Cu and 5.1g/t Au