Copperhole Creek

Although located within a prospective geologic belt, with the historical Einasleigh Copper Mine located 25 km along trend to the southeast, the Copperhole Creek project has not seen systematic exploration in the past 30 years. Production from various historical mines took place in the early 20th century, with limited exploration taking place in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The Questend prospect was drilled by BP Minerals in 1978 with two shallow reverse circulation drill holes, with a reported intercept of 12 meters of 3.27% Cu, 0.66% Zn, 0.26% Sn and 51 ppm Ag from 36 meters(1)(true width not reported). The mineralization was hosted within a quartz-sulfide breccia body that appears to project from mineralization exposed in nearby prospect pits.

In a broad sense, mineralization appears to be zoned with Cu-Mo-Sn mineralization developed in the northeastern portion of the property to more copper-silver mineralization developed in the southwest. Prioritized exploration targets include mineralized shear zones and breccias that were targeted by the historical mining operations. The project also contains potential for Cu-Mo-Sn porphyry style mineralization in the zones of greisen style alteration and mineralization.

In September 2023 EMX entered into an option agreement with Lumira Energy Ltd. (“Lumira”), a private Australian Company for the Copperhole Creek polymetallic project. The agreement provides EMX with a 2.5% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalty interest, cash and equity payments, work commitments and other considerations. In conjunction with this transaction, Lumira Energy intends to establish a public listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in mid-year 2024. See Company news release dated for more September 13, 2023 information.

Comments on Nearby and Adjacent Properties. The deposits, projects and mines discussed in this news release provide context for EMX’s Project, which occurs in a similar geologic setting, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Project hosts similar quantities, grades or styles of mineralization.

(1) Drilling was conducted by BP Mining Development Australia Pty Ltd in 1978 with results reported to the Queensland Geologic Survey in 1979 in a report titled Final Report on A.TO P.1806 (cr_7585.pdf). EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the published assay results, and these data cannot be verified as being compliant with NI43-101 standards. However, EMX believes these results to be reliable and relevant.

Maps

cross section of Questend copper-silver geology and mineralization Click to Enlarge
Regional map of Copperhole creek showing occurrences and nearby mines Click to Enlarge
Geology and mineral occurrences of the Copperhole Creek project on geology Click to Enlarge

Photos