Aruma Resources Advances Tillex Copper Drilling With First Assays Due Within Two Weeks
Key Takeaways
- Six Phase-2 diamond drill holes totalling 1,046m have been completed at Tillex, with all six successfully intersecting the targeted copper-silver stratigraphy across argillite, porphyry, volcanic tuff, and dacite-andesite lithologies.
- First assay results from 292 submitted samples are expected within two weeks of the 8 September 2026 announcement, representing the immediate near-term catalyst for Aruma Resources (ASX: AAJ).
- Phase-2 is targeting strike extensions south-west of the known high-grade copper-silver pod, benchmarked against historical intercepts including 98.2m at 1.82% Cu and 13.17g/t Ag from TX25-034.
- Canadian specialist Orix Geoscience Inc. has been appointed to provide onsite geological management and geological modelling, bringing VMS-specific expertise to the program.
- The full 3,600m Phase-2 program is expected to be complete in October 2026, with historical core re-sampling of TX24-025 also underway to test a potential western extension of the mineralised footprint.
Phase-2 drilling advances at Tillex copper-silver project as first assay results loom
With first assay results expected within two weeks, Aruma Resources (ASX: AAJ) is building toward a defined catalyst in its Phase-2 diamond drilling program at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in the Tier 1 Timmins mining district, Ontario, Canada. Six holes totalling 1,046m have been completed to date across a planned 3,600m program, with the company currently drilling approximately 100m south-west along strike of the southern extent of the known high-grade copper-silver pod.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
Q1 FY27 drilling highlights at a glance
- All six completed holes (TX26-006 to TX26-011) successfully intersected targeted stratigraphy, including argillite, porphyry, volcanic tuff, and dacite-andesite lithologies
- Geological logging confirms alteration and structural features consistent with the Tillex mineralisation model
- Drilling remains on schedule and within budget despite localised fractured and faulted ground conditions in some initial holes
- 292 samples submitted for laboratory analysis to date, with further samples being progressively submitted
- Orix Geoscience (Canada) appointed to provide onsite geological management and geological modelling
- Historical core review commenced, with TX24-025 selected as the first hole for re-sampling, targeting a western extension of the mineralised footprint
What diamond drilling means for copper exploration investors
Diamond drilling involves extracting a continuous cylinder of rock (core) from depth using a diamond-tipped drill bit. Unlike other methods, it provides geologists with a detailed physical sample of the rock sequence, which is then logged for geological features and cut into sections for laboratory analysis — that analysis is what produces assay results.
Assay results are the chemical measurements of metal content within those samples, expressed as a percentage for copper (e.g., 2.12%Cu) and in grams per tonne for silver (e.g., 53.45g/t Ag). They are the primary evidence investors use to judge whether a drill program has intersected economic mineralisation.
At Tillex, the quality of previously reported intercepts sets a high baseline for comparison. Historical highlights from the project include TX25-034 returning 98.2m @ 1.82%Cu and 13.17g/t Ag from 35.8m, TX24-022 returning 92.05m @ 2.12%Cu and 12.18g/t Ag from 36.95m, and TX11-008 returning 42.46m @ 2.12%Cu and 53.45g/t Ag from 53.7m.
Phase-2 is designed to test whether that mineralisation continues further along strike (the horizontal direction the deposit extends) and at depth. Confirming continuity in either direction would increase the mineralised footprint of the system, which is a key step toward any resource growth.
Geological model refinement and the Orix Geoscience appointment
Porphyry potential and scissor hole TX26-011
Recently completed hole TX26-011 was designed as a scissor hole — a drill hole angled differently from adjacent holes to intersect the same target zone from a different direction, providing additional geometric and structural information. Its four objectives as stated in the announcement are:
The DHEM survey at Tillex confirmed a major off-hole conductor that directly informed the south-west strike and depth extension targets now being drilled in Phase-2, providing the geophysical foundation for the current program design.
- Further testing of the interpreted high-angle to sub-vertical dip of mineralisation
- Improved understanding of true mineralisation widths
- Enhanced interpretation of the geometry of porphyry and diabase intrusive units
- Collection of additional structural data to support ongoing geological modelling
Orix Geoscience — specialist expertise on the ground
The company has engaged Canadian-based Orix Geoscience Inc. to provide onsite geological management for the Phase-2 drilling program and to undertake geological modelling of the Tillex project. Orix brings extensive expertise across a range of copper deposit styles, including volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) systems — a key exploration target at Tillex. Having a locally based specialist managing drilling and modelling activities is intended to strengthen Aruma’s technical capability and support efficient execution of the program.
Grant Ferguson, Managing Director
“We are excited by the progress of our Phase-2 drilling at the Tillex Project. This drilling is targeting strike extensions to the south-west of the drill-defined high-grade copper-silver mineralised pod within the Tillex Project area, as well as testing for depth extensions. It is an important next step in our plans to expand the Project’s mineralised footprint, while also seeking to increase our geological understanding of the mineralised system – which in turn will provide valuable insights for future drill targeting.”
Ferguson added:
“It is very pleasing to see that all six holes completed to date in this phase of drilling have successfully intersected the target stratigraphy, while also providing valuable geological information that continues to improve our understanding of the mineralised system…”
Drill collar data — Phase-2 program summary
The table below reproduces the Phase-2 drilling program collar data for all six completed holes as reported in the announcement.
| Hole ID | Easting (mE) | Northing (mN) | Total Depth (m) | Azimuth (°) | Dip (°) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX26-006 | 533057 | 5371376 | 195 | 311 | -54 |
| TX26-007 | 533043 | 5371243 | 216 | 312 | -55 |
| TX26-008 | 532977 | 5371308 | 189 | 312 | -56 |
| TX26-009 | 532960 | 5371409 | 193 | 313 | -53 |
| TX26-010 | 532922 | 5371361 | 119 | 313 | -55 |
| TX26-011 | 532905 | 5371377 | 134 | 132 | -55 |
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
What’s next — catalysts to watch
The near-term pipeline of milestones from the announcement’s outlook section gives investors a clear set of triggers to monitor:
- First assay results anticipated within two weeks of the 8 September 2026 release date
- Regular assay results expected to follow as they become available
- Drilling to continue south-west along strike, with the full 3,600m program expected to be complete in October 2026
- Historical core review and re-sampling of TX24-025 ongoing, targeting a potential western extension of the mineralised footprint
- Updated geological model to incorporate new observations and support future drill targeting
The two-week assay window is the immediate catalyst. With 292 samples already in the laboratory and the high-grade benchmark already set by previous Tillex intercepts, those first results will be closely watched.
Don’t Miss the Next Copper Breakout from the Tillex Drill Program
Get FREE breaking ASX copper and mining news delivered to your inbox within minutes of release, complete with in-depth analysis already done for you. Over 30,000+ subscribers rely on Big News Blast to stay ahead of the market. Click the “Free Alerts” button now and get the next Tillex assay results the moment they drop.