Neometals Hits 1.56% Copper at Depth Below Historic Rinaldi Mine Workings
Neometals hits 1.56% copper at depth beneath historic Rinaldi workings
Neometals (ASX: NMT) has received initial copper assays from its July 2026 reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Rinaldi copper prospect, part of its 100%-owned Barrambie Gold Project in Western Australia. Headline results include 26RCRC009 – 6m at 1.56% Cu, 20.8g/t Ag from 101m (including 1m at 2.96% Cu, 40.2g/t Ag) and 26RCRC007 – 5m at 0.43% Cu from 31m. The results confirm primary copper sulphide mineralisation continues at depth beneath the historic Rinaldi workings. These are 33 selected samples (approximately 9% of the 388-sample, four-hole program), prioritised on visual indicators — remaining assays are pending.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
What the drilling delivered — and what got interrupted
The July 2026 RC program at Rinaldi comprised four holes for 388 metres. Two holes were abandoned prematurely due to water ingress, including the hole designed to test the T2 dipole-dipole induced polarisation (DDIP) target. The table below summarises the status and results of each hole.
| Hole ID | Result / Status | Interval | Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26RCRC007 | Assayed | 5m from 31m | 0.43% Cu | Up-dip target; chrysocolla in chips |
| 26RCRC008 | Abandoned at 82m | — | Pending | Multiple water structures 60–63m |
| 26RCRC009 | Assayed | 6m from 101m | 1.56% Cu, 20.8g/t Ag | Added after 008 abandoned; 2–3% chalcopyrite |
| 26RCRC006 (T2 target) | Abandoned at 124m | — | Pending | Water ingress at 104m; visual pyrite/quartz/chalcopyrite logged |
The T2 target that got away — for now
Drill hole 26RCRC006 was designed to test the T2 DDIP target but was abandoned at 124m due to a significant water structure encountered at 104m. Qualitative visual logging identified a broad interval of visually estimated ~1% pyrite from 36m to 124m, complemented by 2–5% quartz veining from 40m to 124m. Visual logging also recorded ~1% chalcopyrite over a one-metre interval from 108m.
These observations are qualitative only and are not a proxy for copper grade — relevant assays remain pending. A diamond drill tail is planned for September 2026 to extend 25RCRC006 to the designed full depth of 175m to test the full extent of the T2 DDIP target.
Why copper at a gold project matters for investors
Rinaldi sits within the broader Barrambie Gold Project, near Solstice Minerals’ Nanadie Cu-Au deposit. While the Barrambie Project is primarily a gold play — with the Ironclad gold pathway advancing through a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), Scoping Study, and a 50:50 joint venture with a mining contractor — copper is emerging as a value-adding second commodity. Rinaldi has historic production credentials (small-scale workings previously produced copper ore), and the July 2026 results extend and confirm continuation of known mineralisation at depth.
Reading the numbers — grade, silver credits and sulphides
Chalcopyrite is a primary copper sulphide mineral, indicating fresh, at-depth mineralisation rather than near-surface oxide material. The presence of 2–3% chalcopyrite in drill chip observations suggests the mineralisation is not weathered or depleted. Silver credits (measured in grams per tonne) add value to a copper intercept — in this case, 20.8g/t Ag across the 6m interval in hole RCRC009, with the high-grade 1m interval returning 40.2g/t Ag.
Induced polarisation (DDIP) target refers to a geophysical anomaly identified through a survey technique that measures electrical chargeability. These anomalies often indicate the presence of sulphide minerals (like chalcopyrite) and guide drill targeting.
The bigger Barrambie picture
The Barrambie Gold Project is a camp-scale gold project in the Murchison Goldfield with strong brownfields upside. Copper at Rinaldi is being explored as a secondary commodity opportunity, not the core focus. The scale, continuity and economic significance of the Rinaldi copper mineralisation remain to be determined through further drilling. Additional work is required to define the dip of the mineralised lode, as a moderate change in dip is observed across the four copper intercepts to date.
Managing Director Chris Reed
“The assay results confirm that primary copper sulphide mineralisation continues at depth beneath the historic Rinaldi workings, with encouraging grades and widths reported from the completed holes. We are also encouraged by the preliminary observations from the T2 drilling, which was terminated prematurely due to water ingress. We plan to return with a diamond rig in September to properly test this exciting target. In parallel, we are planning detailed magnetic and geochemical programs to better define the structures hosting the Rinaldi mineralisation and to advance the exploration potential of this prospect.”
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
What’s next for Rinaldi
- Diamond drill tail planned for September 2026 to test the full T2 DDIP target to designed 175m depth (subject to operational conditions and approvals).
- Routine copper, gold and silver analysis of remaining Rinaldi samples underway — to be reported when available.
- Detailed ground magnetic survey and soil geochemistry program being designed to verify historic anomalous soils over and adjacent to T2.
- Routine gold analysis of 662m across five RC holes at Ironclad underway — results pending.
Further drilling is required to define the dip, scale and continuity of the Rinaldi lode before any assessment of economic viability can be made.
Don’t Miss the Next ASX Copper Discovery
Join 30,000+ investors receiving FREE breaking ASX copper and mining news delivered within minutes of release, complete with expert analysis. Click the “Free Alerts” button at Big News Blast to get real-time alerts the moment market-moving announcements drop across ASX mining and energy sectors.