#coppermining

The paper studies how using ore body-specific bulk density values instead of a single specific gravity (SG = 2.65) improves copper resource estimation at Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira site in Zambia.

Using the wax-coated water displacement method (Archimedes’ principle) on 1,263 NQ drill core samples from three stacked quartzite-hosted ore bodies (A, B, C) plus waste, the authors found higher average bulk densities:

A ore body: ~2.76 g/cm³

B ore body: ~2.77 g/cm³

C ore body: ~2.71 g/cm³

These are significantly above the historical 2.65, implying tonnage has been underestimated by about 2.3–4.1%.

Density shows only moderate to weak correlation with copper grade (R² ≈ 0.15–0.30), meaning that lithology, mineralogy, alteration, porosity, and structure also strongly control density and must be considered.

The key recommendations are:

Stop using a single tonnage factor for heterogeneous deposits at Mufulira.

Assign density by geological domain/lithology/alteration, with more density sampling.

Treat density as a primary regionalized variable and interpolate it geostatistically (e.g., Kriging) alongside copper grades in resource models.

Culpeo Minerals has amended the Earn-In Schedule for its Lana Corina Copper–Molybdenum Project in Chile, reducing near-term cash payments while maintaining the full pathway to up to 80% ownership of the project.

The revised agreement significantly lowers immediate financial commitments and allows the company to preserve cash while advancing exploration at one of Chile’s promising copper discoveries.

🔎 Key Highlights

Near-term earn-in payment reduced from US$750,000 to US$150,000

Deferral of additional mid-term payments with no change to total acquisition cost

Path maintained to earn up to 80% ownership through staged payments

Culpeo retains right of first refusal for the remaining 20% interest

Lana Corina hosts a large copper–molybdenum system across ~3km strike

Recent drilling at Lana Corina has already delivered strong copper intersections, including:

454m @ 0.93% CuEq from 90m

257m @ 1.10% CuEq from 170m

169m @ 1.21% CuEq from 239m

🗣️ Management Commentary

Interim Executive Chairman Geoff McNamara said the revised earn-in schedule allows the company to reduce near-term payment obligations while preserving the full terms of the original agreement and continuing to advance the Lana Corina discovery.

📍 Next Steps

Culpeo is progressing negotiations with the Soruco community for a long-term Access Agreement, which will support year-round exploration and drilling activities. Once finalised, the company plans to commence drilling at the Vista Montana prospect in early Q2 2026.

📊 Market Snapshot Share Price: $0.012 Market Cap: $9.52M

📈 Investor Outlook

The amended earn-in structure improves Culpeo’s financial flexibility while retaining significant exposure to the Lana Corina discovery. With drilling expected to resume in 2026 and multiple exploration targets identified across the broader corridor, the project offers potential for further copper discoveries and resource growth in a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction.

🔗 Read more: https://colitco.com/culpeo-minerals-improves-lana-corina/

Sasco, Arizona — A Lost Smelting Town

Sasco, named after the Southern Arizona Smelter Company, was a bustling company town built in the early 1900s to support the booming copper mining industry near the Silver Bell Mountains. Founded by Frank M. Murphy and his Development Company of America, Sasco once thrived with 600 residents, a powerful smelter, stores, saloons, and even electric power.

But despite its promise, financial troubles and the devastating Spanish flu pandemic in 1918–1919 led to the town’s rapid decline. By 1933, most buildings were torn down, and the railroad dismantled. Today, you can still visit the ruins — the old smelter, jail, and Hotel Rockland — though the area has become more of a rough-and-tumble spot for shooting and paintball.

Patriot Lithium (ASX: PAT) has confirmed high-priority copper exploration targets within its recently acquired 44,961 Ha land package, strengthening its position in the Mumbwa Copper-Gold Belt. Initial sampling at Katwaro 28424 returned impressive grades of 4.45% Cu and 2.59 g/t Au over 2.0m, while further exploration at Katwaro East shows strong mineralisation potential.

🔹 Key Highlights:

✅ Priority Target 1 – Katwaro 28424 – Sampling confirmed copper-gold mineralisation with grades up to 4.45% Cu and 2.59 g/t Au. ✅ Priority Target 2 – Katwaro East – Discoveries extend the mineralised strike length, with preliminary sampling yielding up to 1.40% Cu. ✅ Significant Structural Control – Sample R3504 returned a high-grade pXRF reading of 1.96% Cu and averaged 1.40% Cu, indicating copper mineralisation mainly as malachite within metasandstone and mudstone contacts. Though 5.2km apart, the pits follow regional copper-bearing structures, suggesting multiple parallel mineralised zones. ✅ Strategic Expansion - The Targets are adjacent toatriot’s Kitumba and Katwaro Copper Projects, positioning the Company for significant resource growth.

💰 Investor Outlook

📈 Stock Price: A$0.046 With high-grade copper discoveries in Zambia’s Mumbwa Copper-Gold Belt, Patriot Lithium is well-positioned amid rising global demand, supply constraints, and copper prices above US$8,000/t. As the metal’s demand surges for EVs, renewables, and power grids, the Company is advancing exploration with mapping, sampling, and RC drilling in Q2 to expand its resource potential.

🔗 More Details: https://colitco.com/patriot-lithium-second-copper-target-zambia/