Diversified metals explorer and developer Orion Minerals has identified multiple priority electromagnetic (EM) targets at its Okiep copper project, in South Africa’s Northern Cape, following a recently completed airborne EM survey.

Sixteen ‘late-time’ EM targets have already been detected from an initial review of the data, with several conductors identified close to known copper deposits. These targets will now be prioritised and refined with ground-based EM surveys to finalise drilling targets, Orion said on September 1.

Following the initial review of the data, Orion said it highlights the substantial exploration opportunity across the Okiep district, which has, despite its prolific production history and significant exploration potential, never been previously covered by an airborne EM survey.

Orion MD Errol Smart said the completion of the extensive survey using the high-powered SkyTEM system was a “really exciting milestone for the Okiep copper district”.

SkyTEM is capable of targeting mafic intrusive bodies with high magnetite content and detecting zones with conductive phyrrotite content, providing Orion with a strong vector to find new copper sulphide orebodies in an area with proven potential to host multiple high-quality deposits.

“As I’ve said before, it’s hard to believe this technique has never been used in the area before – and we always had high hopes about what it would reveal.”

While Orion is still processing the data, Smart said the initial results were outstanding – with 16 ‘late-time’ anomalies identified, some located in close proximity to known deposits.

These targets will now be ranked and further refined using ground EM before moving to the drilling stage.

“The early success of the airborne EM survey has vindicated our decision to employ this technology in parallel with drilling programmes along the Koperberg-Carolusberg line that are about to start,” Smart further said.

The company anticipates this survey will generate a strong pipeline of exploration targets at Okiep, complementing its more advanced resource-level and near-resource exploration opportunities.