Copper exploration at Groundhog resumes

Quaterra Resources Inc. Aug. 26 announced the start of a 1,500-line-kilometer ZTEM (z-axis tipper electromagnetic) geophysical survey at Groundhog, a 40,000-acre property that covers a northern extension of a structural zone that hosts several porphyry targets and deposits, including the world-class Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum deposits about three miles to the south.

Alaska Earth Sciences, an Anchorage-based geological consulting firm, discovered the Groundhog prospect and Kennecott Exploration Inc., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, explored the property for about five years prior to pulling out of Alaska in 2014.

Following Kennecott's departure, Alaska Earth Sciences formed a partnership with Kijik Corp., the Alaska Native village corporation for Nondalton, the nearest community to Groundhog.

This partnership, Chuchuna Mineral Company, set out to find a mining company to continue the exploration of the promising asset.

Quaterra Resources cut a deal with Chuchuna in 2017 that provides the exploration company an option to earn a 90 percent interest in Chuchuna in exchange for US$5 million in exploration over five years and a US$3 million cash payment in the sixth year.

As operator at Groundhog, Chuchuna implements and manages exploration field programs as set out in a budget and work plan approved by Quaterra.

This year's helicopter-borne geophysical survey is intended to better define drill targets and assist in understanding how they relate to those already identified with previous geophysical and geological work.

Chuchuna has also mobilized a ground crew to carry out mapping, prospecting, and sampling to locate new rock exposures, follow up on previous work and generate new sub-surface data for copper-gold porphyry exploration.

Quaterra said both programs are important components of identifying high priority targets for a drill program planned for next year.

–SHANE LASLEY