FMR Resources commences drilling at Target K within Southern Porphyry system
FMR Resources (ASX: FMR) has commenced diamond drillhole 26LHDD072 at Target K, marking the third drillhole in its Phase I programme at the Southern Porphyry target. The drilling forms part of a joint venture with Southern Hemisphere Mining Limited (ASX: SUH) at the Llahuin Project in Chile, where FMR Resources Target K Drilling represents a data-driven refinement of the company’s exploration strategy.
Target K’s collar is positioned approximately 250m south-west of Target A and 400m east-south-east of Target C. The drillhole has been designed with an azimuth of 305° and dip of -68°, targeting a proposed depth of 1,650m. This positioning reflects systematic integration of geological observations, structural vein orientation data, and geophysical models from the two preceding drillholes at Targets A and C.
How multiple geophysical methods guide porphyry exploration
Porphyry copper exploration relies on combining multiple data types to reduce drilling risk and improve target accuracy. FMR Resources has employed three key geophysical techniques at Southern Porphyry: magnetotelluric (MT) surveys, induced polarisation (IP), and magnetic (MAG) surveys. MT surveys measure subsurface electrical conductivity to depths exceeding 1,000m, identifying conductive zones that may indicate hydrothermal alteration or sulphide mineralisation. IP surveys detect chargeability anomalies associated with disseminated sulphides, whilst magnetic surveys map variations in magnetic susceptibility linked to intrusive rocks and alteration zones.
By overlaying these geophysical signatures with structural data from drilling, explorers can refine interpretations of where a porphyry system’s core may exist. At Target K, FMR has integrated alteration patterns observed in drillhole 25LHDD070, which suggest a southward vector, with structural analysis from both 25LHDD070 and 25LHDD071. Vein orientations from these holes indicate a potential fluid source positioned between them, supporting the selection of Target K’s location within the ~500m corridor separating the two earlier drill sites.
For investors, this multi-method approach reduces the speculative nature of exploration expenditure. Data-driven target selection improves the probability of intersecting mineralisation, enhancing capital efficiency in a sector where drilling costs are substantial.
Geological and structural vectors converge on Target K
Target K’s design reflects technical synthesis from multiple datasets. Interpretation of alteration patterns logged in drillhole 25LHDD070 suggests a southward progression of hydrothermal alteration, pointing toward the proposed Target K location. Structural analysis of vein orientations from both 25LHDD070 at Target A and 25LHDD071 at Target C indicates a potential fluid pathway situated between the two holes.
The drillhole trajectory extends toward an MT anomaly at depth, subject to final integration of geophysical probe logging data from 25LHDD071 once combined with data from 25LHDD070. Downhole geophysical data from Target C is currently being processed before integration with existing surface models and downhole datasets from Target A.
| Drillhole | Target | Easting (m) | Northing (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25LHDD070 | Target A | 308,297 | 6,528,318 | 1,469.10 |
| 25LHDD071 | Target C | 307,762 | 6,528,196 | 1,490.65 |
| 26LHDD072 | Target K | 308,143 | 6,528,157 | 1,650 (proposed) |
Director commentary on Target K significance
Managing Director Oliver Kiddie emphasised the strategic rationale behind Target K’s selection:
Oliver Kiddie, Managing Director
“The integration of results from Targets A and C have defined Target K as the compelling new target to drill test. Target C yielded critically important geological, structural, and geophysical information that, combined with Target A, has refined our interpretation of the Southern Porphyry system. These vectors have resulted in a drillhole designed to test the interpreted location of the core of this extensive porphyry system.”
The statement highlights how data accumulation across sequential drillholes enables progressive refinement of exploration models, a critical factor in managing drilling budgets effectively.
Southern Porphyry sits within a six-kilometre mineralised corridor
The Southern Porphyry target is located within a six-kilometre-long mineralised corridor at the Llahuin Project, which hosts multiple copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry centres. Field mapping completed in June and July 2025 identified argillic alteration, silicification, and epithermal quartz veining at surface, alongside zones of secondary copper mineralisation assemblages typical of upper levels within copper porphyry systems.
Re-logging of historic drillholes confirmed these features at depth, with intervals showing hydrothermal alteration, silicification, and disseminated chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralisation. These observations suggest a telescoped system, characterised by epithermal-style veining and alteration preserved above a deeper porphyry core.
The presence of multiple porphyry centres within the corridor supports district-scale mineralisation potential. Surface expressions of alteration and mineralisation provide validation for the deeper geophysical targets being tested through drilling, reducing geological uncertainty for investors evaluating the project’s prospectivity.
Next steps for the Phase I drilling programme
FMR Resources has outlined the following immediate programme objectives:
- Complete drilling of 26LHDD072 at Target K
- Complete integration of downhole geophysical data from Targets A and C
- Provide further updates on results, interpretation, and drilling progress
The ongoing integration of downhole geophysical data from previous targets indicates potential for further refinement of exploration models. Results from Target K drilling will represent a material catalyst for the company, as the drillhole is designed to test the interpreted core of the Southern Porphyry system based on cumulative data from the Phase I programme.
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