Vancouver, B.C. – May 29, 2025 – South Pacific Metals Corp. (TSX-V: SPMC; OTCQB: SPMEF; FSE: 6J00) (“SPMC” or the “Company”) is thrilled to announce the discovery of a highly prospective gold-copper surface mineralized system at the Ontenu NE target within its flagship Osena Project in Papua New Guinea, just one kilometre south of and geologically analogous to K92 Mining’s prolific Kainantu gold mine.
Highlights of the Discovery
Rock chip assays returning up to 10.3% copper (“Cu”), 3.1% Cu & 2.06% Cu, and 1.7 g/t gold (“Au”) at surface;
Multiple plus-500 metre gold-in-soil anomalies, with values peaking at 216 ppb Au, over a greater than 3 kilometre (“km”) mineralized corridor;
Newly mapped NW-SE striking high-sulphidation structures exhibit hallmark Kainantu-style pathfinders: Au-Cu + Ag-Bi-Te-Zn;
Phase 2 trenching underway at Ontenu Central ahead of drilling, with Trench 1 previously returning:
4 m @ 4.52 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu, 0.23% Zn
16 m @ 1.25 g/t Au
79 m @ 0.75 g/t Au, 981 ppm Cu
Company-owned diamond drill rig en route to site, with a priority drill campaign set to commence in June. The Ontenu prospects are located along strike in the Kainantu Transfer Zone adjacent to K92 Mining’s tenement. The broader Ontenu Gold-Copper Intrusive Complex is part of an interpreted multi-phase intrusive, large-scale gold-copper porphyry system spanning an area of at least 5 km by 3 km. Metal signatures (Au-Te-Bi) in soil and rock samples suggest a later gold-bearing event overprinting an earlier porphyry Cu-Au-Mo event, similar to those observed at other major deposits including K92 Mining’s Arakompa Project gold veins.
“These are among the most exciting surface results we’ve seen to date in this emerging district,” said Michael Murphy, Executive Chair. “To encounter double-digit copper and high-grade gold at surface—just steps from an operating mine—underscores Ontenu’s exceptional potential. With trenching underway and our drill rig landing next month, we’re entering a new phase of discovery.”
see & read more on
https://southpacificmetals.ca/south-pacific-metals-unveils-surface-rock-samples-grading-up-to-10-3-copper-and-1-7-g-t-gold-in-emerging-porphyry-epithermal-system-at-ontenu-ne/ |