Stelar Metals Limited (ASX:SLB) ('Stelar Metals' or the 'Company') is pleased to provide an update on the initial results of the June exploration activities at the Baratta Copper Project in South Australia. Baratta is considered highly prospective for Sediment-hosted Stratabound Copper mineralisation and is analogous to the Central African Copper Belt. (CACB).
The historic Baratta Copper Mine produced copper ore between 1896 and 1904 from a 1.5 km-long zone of stratabound workings in a structure splaying off the Bibliando Thrust. At least four mineralised horizons of quartz-haematite gossan, extends several kilometres through Stelar's tenements coincident with a recently discovered large Induced Polarisation (IP) chargeable anomaly as it approaches the Bibliando Thrust.
Sediment-hosted Stratabound Copper (SSC) deposits are the world's second most important source of copper and account for 20% of the world's copper production. In 2024, the Central African Copper Belt (CACB), which spans the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, is positioned to be the second-largest global copper producer behind Chile's large porphyry deposits. In Australia, only the Flinders Ranges and the Sturt Shelf are considered prospective for this highly prized style of copper mineralization
During the geological mapping, 77 random grab rock chip samples were collected along a 3.4 kilometre strike length between the main historic workings and North Bore from outcrops of weathered gossan, historic mine spoil, and minor excavations. These samples have been submitted to Intertek (Adelaide) for multi-element assay. Additional sampling will be undertaken in July along the 7-kilometre strike of the prospective Baratta Copper Area.
Geological Mapping
Stelar's geologists have started detailed mapping at the historic Baratta Mine Area to understand better the structural framework and stratigraphic architecture of the northern flank of the Bibliando Dome, where gossanous horizons were historically mined for copper. Four distinct, stratigraphically controlled, continuous, mineralised gossans have been mapped to date along a central 3.4-kilometre strike length. The Gossans and sampling are open to both East and West. Throughout the area mapped, there are abundant shallow historical excavations beyond the mined area, where there are numerous shallow shafts. At the surface, the gossans, which comprise quartz, haematite, chalcocite, malachite, azurite, siderite, and ankerite, occur in reduced dark grey-green metasiltstones and dolomitic mudstones. Individual gossans have been mapped up to five metres thick. The Wilyerpa Formation at Baratta is a package of sedimentary rocks comprising cyclical beds of sandstones, siltstones, mudstones and shales./. Better gossan development occurs in the less permeable mudstones. Located on the northern flank of the Bibliando Dome, the stratigraphy dips moderately to the north. Numerous locally significant faults have been recognised, but their relationship to the main Bibliando Thrust and mineralisation requires further work, which is planned for July
Sediment-hosted Stratabound Copper Deposits
Large-scale SSC deposits form during the dewatering and metamorphism of intracratonic failed rift basins. Hot saline basin brines scavenge copper from oxidised redbed sedimentary rocks. When mixed with reduced brines at the interface with confining cap rocks such as impermeable dolomitic units, copper mineralisation is deposited as laterally extensive sheetlike tabular bodies in organic and reduced stratigraphic horizons. Copper mineralisation, typically dominated by chalcocite that transitions into zoned bornite and chalcopyrite, comprises fine-grained cement and replacements with lesser veinlets. Typical ore bodies are laterally extensive relative to the deposit thickness, extending over many kilometres of strike with only 3-30 metres of thickness.
Next Steps
Surface sampling and geological mapping will continue in July, extending the mapped gossans to the west over the large GA-IP chargeable anomaly and east towards North Bore. Further sampling is also planned to the north of the current survey area over the recently discovered gossan repeats. Assay results from the first round of rock chip sampling are expected late July. Future work will also focus on the Bibliando Thrust, where several recorded mineral occurrences are located, and the elongated Bibliando Diapir in the south of EL 6863. The Company continues to monitor the Native Title situation and will lodge applications for drilling at Baratta when the Adynamuthana Traditional Owners come out of Administratio
Contact:
Colin Skidmore
Chief Executive Officer
Stelar Metals Limited
Tel: +61 467 608 539
Email: c.skidmore@stelarmetals.com.au
ABOUT STELAR METALS
Stelar Metals' experienced and successful exploration and development team is targeting the discovery and production of critical minerals, with increasing global demand to enable the world to achieve net zero emissions. Stelar's Trident Lithium Project is located near mining, industrial, transport and green power infrastructure at Broken Hill in NSW. The Trident Lithium Project extends over the 20km strike length of the Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field and is highly prospective for hard rock lithium mineralisation. Mapped LCT-type pegmatites vary in size but can be up to 100 metres wide and extend in outcrop for over 1 kilometre in length. Trident was one of Australia's first lithium and tin mining provinces, highlighting both the fertility and large scale of Stelar's lithium-rich pegmatite system. Stelar's Baratta Copper Project, located in South Australia, is hosted within the Adelaidean rocks of the Flinders Ranges. The Project is considered highly prospective for sedimenthosted copper mineralisation, akin to the Central African Copper Belt. The historic Baratta Copper Mine produced copper ore between 1896 and 1904 from a 1.5 km-long zone of stratabound workings in a structure splaying off the Bibliando Thrust. Stelar is conducting exploration activities in a 7-kilometre corridor of copper mineralisation and geophysical targets that have been overlooked by previous explorers
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