The AUSTRALIAN Special Report: BOA Resources has returned more high-grade copper at Ricci Lee, strengthening its interpretation of a continuous mineralised system.

The latest results from 13 RC holes take BOA Resources (ASX:BOA) to 23 holes reported from its maiden program at the prospect, part of the Neds Creek copper project in WA’s Murchison region.

Twenty of those holes have returned high-grade copper, with the assays supporting continuity across more than 400m of strike, as well as down dip on several drill sections.

Among the latest hits was 10m at 3.60% copper from 31m, including 6m at 5.57%, in the southern part of Ricci Lee.

Shallow drilling also returned 11m at 3.20% copper from just 1m, including 6m at 5.53%.

BOA interprets that near-surface result as part of a main mineralised structure traced by drilling for about 150m down dip on the same section.

Two lodes take shape

In northern Ricci Lee, drilling is providing a clearer picture of two parallel copper-bearing structures.

One hole intersected the Hanging-Wall Lode, which sits above the Main Lode, returning 24m at 1.05% copper from 17m, including 4m at 3.40%.

Deeper in the same hole, the Main Lode returned 22m at 1.74% copper from 104m, including 10m at 2.81%.

BOA says the deeper intersection supports continuity with the high-grade zone it previously intersected farther down dip.

The latest results help define the Hanging-Wall Lode’s position alongside the main structure, adding another zone for BOA to assess as it builds its copper inventory.

“These latest results materially strengthen our understanding of Ricci Lee and provide further evidence of a substantial high-grade copper system,” said BOA Resources managing director Graeme Purcell.

“The increasing continuity of the Main Lode, the emerging parallel Hanging-Wall Lode and broad shallow mineralisation all support our objective of building a significant inventory of copper sources and delivering a maiden Mineral Resource at Ricci Lee.”

Drilling is further defining the Main and Hanging-Wall lodes at northern Ricci Lee. Pic: BOA Resources

Building a Murchison copper portfolio

Neds Creek sits in WA’s established Murchison copper district, with Sandfire Resources’ (ASX:SFR) former DeGrussa and Monty copper-gold mines to the west.

DeGrussa delivered more than a decade of production before underground mining ended in 2022 and the Monty satellite resource delivered close to 9% copper.

The district’s copper history also includes the old Thaduna and Green Dragon mines. Thaduna had produced more than 30,500 tonnes of ore grading 8.18% copper by 1971. Green Dragon historically produced 9100 tonnes grading 5.1% copper.

Thaduna lies about 2km northeast of Ricci Lee and BOA considers it a geological analogue because it occupies the same formation and a similar structural setting.

That relationship helps explain Ricci Lee’s place in the company’s proposed consolidation of Neds Creek.

BOA currently holds 49% of the project and is its operator. Subject to shareholder approval at an October 12 general meeting and completion, it proposes to acquire the remaining 51%, together with Thaduna and Green Dragon.

Those two deposits host combined Indicated and Inferred resources of 5.3Mt at 2.3% copper for 121,000 tonnes of contained metal.

The transaction would give BOA a defined copper resource base alongside its exploration prospects. A maiden resource at Ricci Lee could add to that inventory, making the current work to establish grade and continuity part of a broader regional growth strategy.

Assays remain pending from another 23 Ricci Lee holes and aircore drilling at five additional Neds Creek prospects.

The results also come amid an elevated copper-price backdrop, with the metal trading at around US$14,550/t at the time of publication.