Forrestania Resources (ASX: FRS) hits copper grades up to 1.97% at Breakaway Dam—what’s next for this VMS play?

Forrestania Resources Limited (ASX: FRS) has confirmed further copper and zinc mineralisation at its Breakaway Dam prospect near Menzies in Western Australia following the completion of a four-hole diamond drilling program. The campaign also produced promising new downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) conductor targets, reinforcing the company’s belief that Breakaway Dam could evolve into a significant Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) system.

Located within the Eastern Goldfields Super Terrane, the Breakaway Dam prospect is situated on the Alexandra Bore Greenstone Belt, where Forrestania Resources Limited controls more than 20 kilometres of prospective strike. The recently completed drilling, which totalled 1,106.6 metres across four diamond holes, has expanded the company’s geological model of the VMS corridor and confirmed multiple mineralised intervals containing copper and zinc. The results suggest continuity of sulphide mineralisation along the targeted trend and provide new targets for future exploration phases.

What copper and zinc assay grades were returned from the latest drilling at Breakaway Dam?

The first three holes returned assay results indicating copper grades of up to 1.97 percent and zinc grades as high as 1.44 percent over targeted intervals. Hole BDCDD2502 delivered one of the most notable intersections, yielding 1.97 percent copper and 0.24 percent zinc over 1.47 metres between depths of 236.35 metres and 237.82 metres. A separate interval in the same hole recorded 1.44 percent zinc over 1.45 metres. Hole BDCDD2501 returned intervals of up to 1.18 percent copper, supporting the presence of consistent copper–zinc sulphide systems at Breakaway Dam.

How do DHEM survey results support Forrestania’s targeting strategy for the next drill phase?

The fourth diamond drillhole, BDCDD2504, was designed to test an untested DHEM conductor plate located near BDCDD2501. Preliminary observations from visual core logging suggest the presence of multiple sulphide zones, including meta-siltstones, metacherts, and amphibolite-rich zones hosting chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite. Assay results for BDCDD2504 are pending but expected within four weeks.

The visual identification of sulphide-bearing intervals in BDCDD2504 reinforces the geophysical modelling completed by Southern Geoscience Consultants. Modelling of DHEM data from the initial three holes identified significant conductors that were not adequately tested in the first phase. These conductors were incorporated into the current program, leading to the addition of BDCDD2504. A second, highly conductive plate near BDCDD2503 remains untested and is scheduled for future drilling once all assay data has been analysed and integrated into the geological model.

What is the significance of geological context and structural setting at Breakaway Dam?

According to Forrestania Resources Limited Chairman David Geraghty, the latest drilling phase has materially advanced the company’s understanding of the VMS architecture at Breakaway Dam. He stated that consistent copper–zinc sulphide mineralisation, combined with new EM conductor targets, positions Breakaway Dam as a central focus for the company’s ongoing base metals exploration efforts. He also noted that the progress complements Forrestania Resources Limited’s near-term gold development strategy, which remains active across its other projects in Western Australia.

Forrestania Resources Limited has confirmed that all drillholes in the program were oriented perpendicular to the mineralised horizon, which allows for accurate estimations of true mineralised widths. The geological logging of BDCDD2504 indicates the presence of sulphide mineralisation in a range of host rocks, including metasiltstone, pegmatite, anthophyllite schist, and lithic metasandstone. The intervals logged display sulphide concentrations of up to 15 percent pyrrhotite and up to 10 percent chalcopyrite in some zones, although the company has reiterated that visual estimates should not be used as a proxy for laboratory assay results.

How does Breakaway Dam compare to other VMS systems in the Yilgarn Craton?

Beyond the assay grades, the geological setting of Breakaway Dam continues to support a district-scale VMS model. The Alexandra Bore Greenstone Belt is a tightly folded and structurally complex greenstone terrane bounded by monzogranite bodies, similar to the geological architecture observed in other well-known Western Australian VMS systems such as Aeris Resources Limited’s Jaguar–Teutonic Bore and 29Metals Limited’s Golden Grove operation. Forrestania Resources Limited believes that these analogues validate the prospectivity of Breakaway Dam as a potential multi-lode base metal system.

The company also highlighted the structural context of the mineralisation. The VMS horizon is interpreted to lie at the contact between meta-basalt and meta-sedimentary units, a typical setting for sulphide accumulation in submarine volcanic environments. Forrestania Resources Limited has also emphasised that the greenstone belt hosts copper-bearing gossanous outcrops and pegmatites, adding further evidence of mineralised systems along the belt.

What follow-up exploration is planned and how soon will resource definition drilling begin?

While the current program did not include any metallurgical or resource definition work, the drilling campaign has laid a solid foundation for future exploration. The next steps for Forrestania Resources Limited include completion of assay work on BDCDD2504 and the lower-priority footwall and hangingwall zones of the first three holes. Once this data is processed, the company plans to test the stacked conductor system identified near BDCDD2503, which may hold significant resource potential if mineralisation continuity is confirmed.

According to internal timelines, future drill campaigns are expected to focus on extending the mineralised corridor and increasing the density of intercepts in high-conductance zones. Forrestania Resources Limited has also retained all core for potential metallurgical testing or density modelling as resource work progresses.

How is Forrestania Resources positioning itself in the copper and base metals exploration space?

The Breakaway Dam project is part of Forrestania Resources Limited’s broader diversification into base metals. The company has traditionally focused on gold exploration across the Southern Cross, Forrestania, and Eastern Goldfields regions. However, the successful copper–zinc drilling campaign and evolving geological model at Breakaway Dam are creating new interest in Forrestania’s base metal credentials. According to analysts covering small-cap resource stocks, Forrestania Resources Limited may benefit from increased institutional visibility if it can confirm broader zones of high-grade copper mineralisation in upcoming campaigns.

Investors have so far taken a measured view of the exploration update, with Forrestania Resources Limited shares trading largely flat following the announcement. However, long-term mining investors and exploration-focused funds are expected to track the next assay batch and geophysical model closely, particularly as Forrestania Resources Limited continues to build optionality into its portfolio.

What does the long-term roadmap look like for Forrestania’s dual gold–copper strategy?

Forrestania Resources Limited’s stated goal is to develop a pipeline of high-quality mineral assets across Western Australia’s premier greenstone belts. The company has emphasised its disciplined exploration approach, including the use of advanced targeting methods such as DHEM, structural mapping, and pathfinder geochemistry. Its strategy aligns with broader sector trends favouring copper exploration due to structural supply deficits and strong demand forecasts driven by global electrification and energy transition projects.

Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide systems have historically played an important role in the global base metal supply, offering high grades and compact mining footprints. VMS deposits are commonly rich in copper and zinc and occasionally contain silver, gold, or lead. The geological model for Breakaway Dam reflects these characteristics, and Forrestania Resources Limited’s early results compare favourably with other emerging VMS systems globally.

As Forrestania Resources Limited awaits final assays and refines its geophysical interpretations, attention will turn to the next drill phase and the testing of deeper or more conductive EM targets. If the follow-up campaign succeeds in extending mineralisation or delivering thicker intercepts, Breakaway Dam could transition from a promising prospect into a potential development-stage base metal asset.

The Board of Forrestania Resources Limited has authorised the release of this update, and the company has confirmed that all material assumptions from previous market announcements remain unchanged. The company also reminded investors that forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, particularly in early-stage exploration programs.

Forrestania Resources Limited continues to position itself as an agile, technically driven exploration firm in Western Australia’s competitive minerals sector. Its copper–zinc ambitions at Breakaway Dam now join its active gold strategy as part of a dual-track growth plan that will be closely watched over the coming months.

Key takeaways: What the latest Forrestania Resources drilling results mean for the Breakaway Dam copper–zinc story

• Forrestania Resources Limited completed a four‑hole diamond drilling program at the Breakaway Dam copper VMS prospect near Menzies, Western Australia, totalling 1,106.6 metres.

• Assays from the first three holes confirmed copper grades up to 1.97 percent and zinc up to 1.44 percent, supporting the presence of a developing VMS system along the Alexandra Bore Greenstone Belt.

• Downhole electromagnetic survey modelling identified strong conductor plates that remain partially or fully untested, including a high‑conductance target near BDCDD2503 scheduled for future drilling.

• The fourth drillhole, BDCDD2504, intersected multiple sulphide zones consistent with modelled conductor locations, and its assays are expected within four weeks.

• Geological logging indicates sulphide content across several host rocks, including metasiltstone, pegmatite, anthophyllite schist and lithic metasandstone.

• Breakaway Dam exhibits geological similarities to established Western Australian VMS systems such as Jaguar–Teutonic Bore and Golden Grove, strengthening the district‑scale potential of the project.

• Forrestania Resources Limited continues to diversify from its gold‑focused strategy into copper and zinc exploration, attracting early attention from investors tracking base‑metal opportunities.

• Resource definition drilling is not yet underway, but the combination of mineralisation, conductors and structural setting provides a strong foundation for future campaigns.

• Investors are expected to monitor upcoming assays and EM modelling closely as Forrestania Resources Limited refines its next round of targeting.

• Breakaway Dam is now positioned as a dual‑benefit asset within the company’s growth pipeline, complementing ongoing gold development activities across Western Australia.