Bell Copper Provides Corporate Update
Bell Copper (BCUFF) provided an update on the three-year research program at its Big Sandy porphyry copper project in Arizona. The research, conducted by Arizona Geological Survey and University of Arizona, focuses on critical minerals including copper, molybdenum, rhenium, and antimony. Key findings from drill core BS-3 show evidence of primary copper mineralization and hypogene copper enrichment. Research confirms that Big Sandy's characteristics are compatible with an outer mineralized shell of a porphyry Cu-Mo deposit. The company has extended its permit to drill eight additional holes through October 2025 at the BS-4 site and is seeking strategic financing from major copper miners to resume drilling operations.
Bell Copper (BCUFF) ha fornito un aggiornamento sul programma di ricerca triennale presso il suo progetto di rame porfirico Big Sandy in Arizona. La ricerca, condotta dall'Arizona Geological Survey e dall'Università dell'Arizona, si concentra su minerali critici tra cui rame, molibdeno, rutenio e antimonio. I risultati chiave dall'estrazione del palo BS-3 mostrano evidenze di mineralizzazione primaria di rame e arricchimento ipogene di rame. La ricerca conferma che le caratteristiche di Big Sandy sono compatibili con una conchiglia minerale esterna di un deposito porfirico Cu-Mo. L'azienda ha esteso il proprio permesso per trivellare otto ulteriori fori fino a ottobre 2025 nel sito BS-4 e sta cercando finanziamenti strategici da importanti mineratori di rame per riprendere le operazioni di perforazione.
Bell Copper (BCUFF) proporcionó una actualización sobre el programa de investigación de tres años en su proyecto de cobre porfirítico Big Sandy en Arizona. La investigación, realizada por la Encuesta Geológica de Arizona y la Universidad de Arizona, se centra en minerales críticos como cobre, molibdeno, renio y antimonio. Los hallazgos clave del núcleo de perforación BS-3 muestran evidencia de mineralización primaria de cobre y enriquecimiento hipogénico de cobre. La investigación confirma que las características de Big Sandy son compatibles con una cubierta mineralizada externa de un depósito de Cu-Mo porfirítico. La empresa ha extendido su permiso para perforar ocho agujeros adicionales hasta octubre de 2025 en el sitio BS-4 y está buscando financiamiento estratégico de grandes mineros de cobre para reanudar las operaciones de perforación.
벨 구리 (BCUFF)는 아리조나의 빅 샌디 광상 구리 프로젝트에서 3년 연구 프로그램에 대한 업데이트를 제공했습니다. 아리조나 지질 조사 및 아리조나 대학교가 수행한 이 연구는 구리, 몰리브데넘, 레늄, 안티몬을 포함한 중요한 광물에 초점을 맞추고 있습니다. BS-3 시추코어의 주요 발견은 원래의 구리 광물화 및 저생 구리 농축의 증거를 보여줍니다. 연구는 빅 샌디의 특성이 구리-몰리브데넘 포르피리 광상의 외부 광물화 껍질과 호환된다는 것을 확인합니다. 이 회사는 BS-4 사이트에서 2025년 10월까지 8개의 추가 구멍을 시추할 허가를 연장했으며, 시추 작업을 재개하기 위해 주요 구리 채굴업체로부터 전략적 금융을 모색하고 있습니다.
Bell Copper (BCUFF) a fourni une mise à jour sur le programme de recherche de trois ans concernant son projet de cuivre porphyrique Big Sandy en Arizona. La recherche, menée par l'Arizona Geological Survey et l'Université de l'Arizona, se concentre sur les minéraux critiques tels que le cuivre, le molybdène, le rhénium et l'antimoine. Les principales découvertes du carottage BS-3 montrent des preuves de minéralisation primaire du cuivre et d'enrichissement hypogène en cuivre. La recherche confirme que les caractéristiques de Big Sandy sont compatibles avec une coquille minéralisée extérieure d'un dépôt de Cu-Mo porphyrique. L'entreprise a prolongé son permis de forage pour huit autres trous jusqu'en octobre 2025 sur le site BS-4 et recherche un financement stratégique auprès de grands mineurs de cuivre pour reprendre les opérations de forage.
Bell Copper (BCUFF) hat ein Update zu dem dreijährigen Forschungsprogramm in seinem porphyrischen Kupferprojekt Big Sandy in Arizona bereitgestellt. Die Forschung, die von der Arizona Geological Survey und der Universität von Arizona durchgeführt wird, konzentriert sich auf kritische Mineralien, darunter Kupfer, Molybdän, Rhenium und Antimon. Wichtige Ergebnisse aus dem Bohrkern BS-3 zeigen Beweise für primäre Kupfermineralisation und hypogene Kupferanreicherung. Die Forschung bestätigt, dass die Eigenschaften von Big Sandy mit einer äußeren mineralisierten Hülle eines porphyrischen Cu-Mo-Lagers kompatibel sind. Das Unternehmen hat seine Genehmigung zur Bohrung von acht zusätzlichen Löchern bis Oktober 2025 am Standort BS-4 verlängert und sucht strategische Finanzierungen von großen Kupferminern, um die Bohraktivitäten wieder aufzunehmen.
- Research confirms Big Sandy's potential as a significant porphyry Cu-Mo deposit
- Permit extension secured through October 2025 for eight additional drill holes
- Evidence of primary copper mineralization and hypogene copper enrichment found in BS-3 core
- Project contains critical minerals including copper, molybdenum, rhenium, and antimony
- Drilling operations currently halted due to funding constraints
- No mineral resource has been identified yet
- Uncertainty about economic recoverability of potential discoveries
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 11, 2024) - Bell Copper Corporation (TSXV: BCU) (OTCQB: BCUFF) ("Bell Copper" or the "Company reports an update on the three year research program being performed by the Arizona Geological Survey ("AZGS"), in collaboration with the University of Arizona Department of Geosciences ("UA"). These entities, funded by the United States Geological Survey and the State of Arizona, are assessing the potential resources of critical minerals in Arizona, including the Company's
Big Sandy Research
Ongoing research of Bell Copper's Big Sandy BS-3 drill core led by Dr. Carson Richardson of AZGS and by Dr. Hervé Rezeau of UA, is ultimately directed toward evaluating Big Sandy's role (alongside porphyry copper occurrences across Arizona) in addressing the US's supply of critical elements, notably copper, molybdenum, rhenium, and antimony. Exports of antimony by China, the world's largest supplier, were halted in an outright ban last week, highlighting the need to identify secure domestic supplies of this element, used primarily in munitions and specialty adhesives.
Results of AZGS's and UA's independent age dating of zircon from porphyry in Bell Copper's BS-3 porphyry intersection and zircon from the Diamond Joe porphyry root were presented in September at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America (Chappell et al., 2024). This research concluded that "the geochronology of the igneous phases in the two locales overlaps within error" which "supports the hypothesis that Big Sandy is the offset upper portion of the Diamond Joe porphyry system."
AZGS's and UA's analysis of the BS-3 drill core by reflected light microscopy (photos below) shows that primary copper mineralization "mainly consists of quartz-sulfide-sulfosalt veinlets associated with pervasive sericitization of the porphyry host rock. Petrographic analysis shows that subsequent chalcopyrite and bornite as well as galena, sphalerite, and tennantite-tetrahedrite (fahlore) (Figs. B, C) postdate the deposition of pyrite hosting chalcopyrite and bornite inclusions (Fig. A). More localized Cu-rich sulfides include digenite, bornite, and covellite, which crosscut, brecciate, and fill fractures within the earlier mineral assemblages (Figs. D, E). Quartz-pyrite-molybdenite-chalcopyrite and quartz-pyrite-molybdenite veinlets along with some of these veinlets crosscut the Cu-rich sulfide-pyrite mineralization, indicating multiple episodes of pyrite and molybdenite precipitation."
Beneath the upper 200-meter interval of traditional weathering-related supergene copper enrichment in BS-3, the textures in these photographs demonstrate the operation at Big Sandy of primary, or "hypogene copper enrichment", during magmatic-hydrothermal activity. This primary enrichment, which produced elevated copper grades at porphyry deposits such as Resolution, Arizona and Butte, Montana, is believed to represent deep copper remobilization driven by heated, surface-derived fluids circulating through the system, likely powered by coeval underlying magmatic activity (Brimhall, 1979, 1980).
Mineral abbreviations: bn, bornite; cc, chalcocite; cp, chalcopyrite; dg, digenite; fh, fahlore (tennantite-tetrahedrite); gn, galena; py, pyrite; sp, sphalerite. Black bar in each panel is 100 microns (0.1 mm).
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2825/233278_1a5df1775410ba5c_001full.jpg
Furthermore, in the BS-3 drill cores, AZGS and UA conclude that "the tennantite-tetrahedrite (fahlore) compositions exhibit a compositional continuum compared to those hosted in the Diamond Joe pluton. Considering the ore mineral zonation and tennantite-tetrahedrite composition, the Big Sandy prospect presents characteristics compatible with an outer mineralized shell of a porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, where the central copper-rich part is yet to be discovered." Tetrahedrite (copper antimony sulfide) is a potential source of the critical element antimony.
"Bell Copper is pleased to see the close alignment with AZGS and UA regarding the nature of the Big Sandy porphyry copper system as disclosed so far in drillhole BS-3. The Company continues to engage with major copper miners to secure strategic financing to get our drill turning again at Big Sandy, while a rejuvenation of previously dysfunctional mining capital markets, spurred by the U.S presidential election and emphasized by recent disruptions in global critical mineral supply chains, is providing new avenues to obtain the needed funds. In the drilling lull since August, the Company has extended its permit with the Arizona State Land Department to drill eight additional holes from the BS-4 site through October 2025. We remain committed to delivering thorough follow-up drilling of the significant copper discovery at Big Sandy."
- Dr. Tim Marsh, Bell Copper President & CEO.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Marsh, PhD, PEng., the Company's CEO and President. No mineral resource has yet been identified on the Big Sandy Project. There is no certainty that the present exploration effort will result in the identification of a mineral resource or that any mineral resource that might be discovered will prove to be economically recoverable.
For further information please contact the Company:
Tel: 1 800 418 8250
Email: info@bellcopper.net
About Bell Copper
Bell Copper is a mineral exploration company focused on the identification, exploration and discovery of large copper deposits located in Arizona. Bell Copper is exploring its
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Bell Copper Corporation
"Timothy Marsh"
Timothy Marsh, President, CEO & Director
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of Bell to identify a mineral resource at the Perseverance or Big Sandy Projects. There is no certainty that the present exploration effort will result in the identification of a mineral resource or that any mineral resource that might be discovered will prove to be economically recoverable. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which Bell Copper operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include: that the Company may not complete a strategic financing on terms favourable to the Company or at all; actual exploration results, interpretation of metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233278
FAQ
What critical minerals were found in Bell Copper's (BCUFF) Big Sandy project?
How long is Bell Copper's (BCUFF) drilling permit extension at Big Sandy?
What did the BS-3 drill core analysis reveal about Bell Copper's (BCUFF) Big Sandy project?
Why has Bell Copper (BCUFF) suspended drilling operations at Big Sandy?
