\u00a9 iStock\/Ari Widodo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nEnormous potential upside to mine copper and cobalt<\/h3>\n In addition to the existing copper-cobalt resources, Coda is committed to high-quality exploration. In June 2020, following nearly two years of target generation work, Coda struck copper mineralisation with its first deep IOCG exploration hole.<\/p>\n
On 9 June 2021, Coda announced that its first diamond drill-hole to test the Emmie IOCG target had intersected 200m of intense IOCG alteration, including approximately 50m of copper sulphide mineralisation. The announcement sparked a sharp increase in Coda\u2019s share price and the commencement of a large-scale exploration programme seeking to define a significant world-class copper-gold deposit.<\/p>\n
To date, Coda has drilled over 15 holes into Emmie IOCG, with all but three returning significant widths of mineralisation, several over 3% copper and 0.5g\/t gold. Exploration continues as the company seeks to increase the thickness of intercepts and define multiple high-grade copper zones within a large geophysical anomaly.<\/p>\n
According to Chris, the unique convergence of multiple deposits makes this an exciting opportunity: \u201cAs a company dedicated to exploration, we are delighted to be exploring from a strong foundational base. Our sedimentary copper-cobalt deposits provide us with a foundational asset, which I believe will form part of a large, long-life copper-cobalt operation. Our IOCG exploration programme targets world-class assets in an area that has demonstrated the ability to produce some of the biggest copper deposits on Earth. We genuinely believe we have a tiger by the tail.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coda believes it can rise to the challenge of progressing development studies on the copper-cobalt deposits and continuing to explore for more copper at Elizbeth Creek. Furthermore, the company is also advancing work at its Cameron River Copper Project in the Mount Isa Inlier region of Queensland, another world-famous copper region. Chris notes, \u201cWe are not afraid of hard work at Coda \u2014 our recent discoveries have energised us at Elizabeth Creek and we see huge potential at Cameron River as well, where drilling is due to commence in August 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n
Solving the global copper deficit<\/h3>\n CRU Group has forecast a copper supply deficit of six million tonnes per annum for the next decade, with an investment of $100bn required to meet global copper demand. To fill this projected demand, it is estimated that over 75 new copper mines will need to come into production over the next eight years.<\/p>\n
To further complicate the supply issue, copper grades are declining, technical complexity is increasing, and most importantly, many potential new sources of copper are located in areas with high sovereign risk and inferior ESG credentials.<\/p>\n
Copper projects located in tier-one jurisdictions like South Australia will increasingly play a vital role in filling the supply deficit as investors look to fund mines with high-quality ESG credentials capable of supplying green, ethical copper for the world\u2019s energy transition needs.<\/p>\n
Genuine green credentials for South Australia, tier-one jurisdictions<\/h3>\n The term \u2018tier-one jurisdiction\u2019 is often overused in the mining space; however, there is no doubt that South Australia is one of a handful of genuinely top tier jurisdictions for mineral exploration anywhere on the planet.<\/p>\n
Home to some of the world\u2019s largest miners and explorers, including BHP and Oz Minerals, South Australia has recently attracted smaller explorers to undertake exploration activities in the energy transition and critical minerals space.<\/p>\n
This is critical to the future of mineral supply as traditionally, the larger miners have been reluctant to commit significant funds to grassroots and brownfield exploration. The junior exploration sector is the lifeblood of discovery, and a whole new generation of explorers has been getting serious about South Australian exploration.<\/p>\n
One of the key reasons for the success of South Australia as a jurisdiction is its powerful ESG and renewable energy credentials. These forward-thinking policies make the prospect of developing new, low-impact, carbon-neutral mines a highly attractive proposition for the next generation of miners.<\/p>\n
Chris comments, \u201cSouth Australia is a genuinely great place to explore for critical minerals and do business. Highly prospective geology combined with proactive and responsive government regulation makes it a highly attractive place for explorers like Coda.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a member of the Minister\u2019s Executive Advisory Committee (MEAC) that advises the SA Government on energy and critical minerals policy, Chris has first-hand experience of South Australia\u2019s green energy credentials. South Australia is one of the most forward-thinking places globally and is at the vanguard of the global energy transition. The energy system has been transformed from 1% to 60% renewable over the past 15 years and expects to achieve net zero by the 2030s.<\/p>\n
Chris added, \u201cThis is incredibly important for companies looking to develop mines to supply the world\u2019s requirements for green energy transition as any energy mix between the solar array and grid connection is likely to be net zero for the life of mine.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoda Minerals is well placed to be at the forefront of South Australia\u2019s minerals industry as it continues its exploration and development work at the Elizabeth Creek Copper Project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Please note, this article will also appear in the tenth edition of our\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>quarterly publication<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As the global energy transition continues to gather pace, Chris Stevens, CEO of Coda Minerals Ltd, discusses the opportunities for developing ethical copper and cobalt in South Australia. Coda Minerals Ltd was founded in 2019 to explore and develop high-quality mineral assets to power a low-carbon future. The company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":21798,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24204],"tags":[529,24335,24134,24402,24347],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Developing ethical copper and cobalt in South Australia<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n