Encounter Resources has commenced a 6,000-metre diamond and reverse circulation drill program at the Jessica Copper Project in the Northern Territory, advancing the ground under a farm-in agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited.

South32 is funding the current campaign, which targets large-scale sediment-hosted copper and Iron Oxide Copper-Gold style deposits across the 9,400-square-kilometre project area located east of Tennant Creek. The active drilling follows geophysical work including a 2025 airborne electromagnetic survey and MIMDAS surveys, alongside a regional magnetotelluric survey also underway to support target generation.

Prior work by the farm-in partner at the Zeta target intersected zones of hematite alteration and quartz-carbonate veining containing chalcopyrite and bornite. Historical water bore sampling at the project returned 1.5% copper from near surface after assessment of drill chips identified malachite.

“This 6,000m drill program, funded by our farm- in partner South32, is testing large-scale copper targets defined by systematic geophysical work at Jessica. Prior drilling at Jessica intersected chalcopyrite and bornite at Zeta, and historical water bore sampling at the project returning 1.5% Cu from near surface.”

— Will Robinson, Managing Director

Alongside the field work at Jessica, Encounter is conducting a strategic review of its broader copper portfolio to evaluate opportunities to unlock value and accelerate advancement.

Read the full announcement: Drilling Commenced at Jessica Copper Project