Aruma Resources Expands Tillex Copper-Silver System Across Multiple Directions

Phase-2 drilling expands Tillex copper-silver corridor in multiple directions

Aruma Resources (ASX: AAJ) has released the first assay results from its ongoing Phase-2 diamond drilling programme at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario’s Timmins mining district, confirming meaningful expansion of an already-proven high-grade system. The results extend mineralisation 100m south-west and 30m east of the previously drill-defined high-grade zone, with standout intercepts including 27m @ 1.00% Cu and 3.92g/t Ag from 54m (TX26-010) and 14m @ 1.38% Cu and 5.0g/t Ag from 83m (TX26-006). Importantly, approximately one-third of Phase-2 is now complete, meaning more results are imminent.

Hole-by-hole breakdown: what each result tells us

Four holes from the current batch each add a distinct piece to the Tillex puzzle. Moving from near-zone step-outs to the eastern extension and then to depth, the picture that emerges is of a system expanding in every direction tested.

TX26-010 — the standout result, 100m south-west

TX26-010 sits approximately 100 metres south-west of the known high-grade zone and has delivered one of the strongest results from current drilling. The headline intercept is 27m @ 1.00% Cu and 3.92g/t Ag from 54m, including 17.85m @ 1.26% Cu and 4.53g/t Ag and 2.9m @ 1.63% Cu and 9.57g/t Ag.

The mineralised horizon was substantially flatter than anticipated, indicating the high-grade copper system extends further south-west and remains shallow. Critically, the western boundary of mineralisation has not yet been closed off, presenting a clear step-out opportunity for future drilling.

TX26-006 — eastern extension confirmed, 30m beyond prior drilling

TX26-006 targeted the southern portion of the known high-grade zone and returned 14m @ 1.38% Cu and 5.0g/t Ag from 83m, including a high-grade sub-interval of 2.1m @ 3.60% Cu and 12.95g/t Ag from 83.9m. The hole extends mineralisation approximately 30 metres east of previous drilling.

The key argillite-volcanic contact was intersected shallower than expected, with the strongest copper grades developed immediately adjacent to that contact. Mineralisation remains open at depth, providing immediate follow-up targets.

TX26-009 — near-surface continuity to the south-west

TX26-009 targeted a potential north-west-trending structural corridor approximately 35 metres south-west of the high-grade zone and returned 11.68m @ 1.07% Cu and 5.61g/t Ag from 39m, including 2.7m @ 1.74% Cu and 7.63g/t Ag from 46m. The mineralised interval begins near the base of overburden and extends through to the volcanic footwall.

This is an area with limited historical drilling, making the near-surface continuity demonstrated here particularly significant for understanding the full extent of the south-western margin.

TX26-007 — mineralisation confirmed at depth, 182m below surface

TX26-007 returned 3m @ 0.45% Cu and 3.3g/t Ag from 182m, with mineralisation occurring within argillite immediately proximal to the volcanic footwall contact. This geological setting replicates the configuration seen in the broad, high-grade intersections elsewhere at Tillex.

The presence of anomalous copper with associated zinc and lead anomalism confirms the mineralising system extends to greater depths and further south-west than previously established. The result provides valuable targeting data for future deeper drilling.

Understanding what makes the Tillex system compelling

For investors who are newer to copper exploration, a few key concepts help frame why these results matter.

What is VMS-style copper mineralisation? A volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit forms when metal-rich fluids discharge along ancient volcanic seafloors, creating concentrated accumulations of copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The Tillex system sits within the Archean Tisdale Volcanic Assemblage and displays VMS tendencies, with mineralisation hosted primarily within graphitic argillite units along the copper-silver trend.

Key reasons this system stands out to investors:

• Shallow depth: Mineralisation at Tillex starts beneath approximately 25–45m of glacial till, meaning it sits close to surface. Shallow deposits generally carry better economics than deeply buried systems.
• Open in multiple directions: When a deposit remains “open” to the south-west, east, and at depth simultaneously, it signals that drilling has not yet encountered the boundaries of the system. That means the known resource footprint is a floor, not a ceiling.
• Scale opportunity: The Tillex Trend is interpreted to extend for approximately 2.4 kilometres of prospective, continuous strike, most of which remains largely untested beyond the current focused drill area.
• Globally recognised address: The Timmins mining district in Ontario is one of the most productive mineral districts in Canada, hosting major historical and operating mines. Proximity to established infrastructure and geological knowledge in that district is a practical advantage for exploration companies.

Phase-1 results (89m @ 2.04% Cu and 87m @ 1.99% Cu) already demonstrated that the Tillex system carries meaningful scale. Phase-2 is now proving that scale extends well beyond what Phase-1 defined.

What Phase-1 established — and why Phase-2 builds on it

The high-grade corridor that Phase-2 is now expanding was defined by Phase-1 drilling released in the previous quarter. The three strongest Phase-1 intercepts were:

1. 89m @ 2.04% Cu and 12.31g/t Ag from 38.8m (TX26-004)
2. 87m @ 1.99% Cu and 12.63g/t Ag from 30m (TX26-002)
3. 59m @ 1.91% Cu and 8.80g/t Ag from 38m (TX26-005)

Those results defined a substantial high-grade zone. Phase-2’s job is to test whether that zone is the core of a much larger system — and the first four holes suggest strongly that it is.

Grant Ferguson, Managing Director

“We are extremely excited by the first results from the ongoing Phase-2 diamond drilling at our flagship Tillex Copper-Silver Project, which reinforce our belief that the Project hosts a significant copper system with considerable growth potential.”

What comes next for Aruma at Tillex

With approximately one-third of the Phase-2 programme complete, the near-term pipeline for Aruma is well-defined. The next set of results targets positions even further along the south-western trend.

Upcoming steps include:

• Results from holes TX26-011, TX26-012, and TX26-013 are pending, with TX26-013 located up to 130m south-west of the current high-grade zone boundary
• Follow-up drilling to test the western extensions identified by TX26-010, where mineralisation remains open
• Ongoing three-dimensional geological remodelling incorporating new structural data on folding and faulting
• Evaluation of downhole televiewer surveys to provide detailed structural information and refine the geological model
• Assessment of airborne magnetic surveys to support future drill targeting
• Continued assessment of adjacent claim acquisition opportunities to expand the Tillex tenure

The DHEM survey at Tillex confirmed a major off-hole conductor that has directly shaped the south-western targeting logic now being tested by Phase-2 holes including TX26-013, positioned 130m beyond the current high-grade boundary.

With one-third of Phase-2 complete, mineralisation confirmed open in multiple directions, and the next holes targeting 130m beyond the current high-grade boundary, the results pipeline from Tillex is set to remain active in the near term.

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