Highlights

  • TX26-014 returns two high-grade zones: 27.7m at 1.51% Cu and 5.69 g/t Ag from 49.3m, and 11.25m at 1.43% Cu and 13.69 g/t Ag from 94.75m.
  • TX26-015 intersects significant copper mineralisation within the footwall sequence: 6.54m at 1.21% Cu and 5.17 g/t Ag from 58.66m.
  • The mineralised system now extends over approximately 245 metres of strike, open in all directions and at depth.
  • Phase-2 drilling is approximately 70% complete; results from holes TX26-016 to TX26-023 are pending.
  • The recently acquired Patent claim PAT4887 unlocks a new high-priority target area directly along strike to the north-east.

Aruma Resources Limited (ASX:AAJ) has reported the latest results from its ongoing Phase-2 diamond drilling programme at the Tillex Copper-Silver Project in Ontario's Timmins Mining district, extending the continuous shallow, high-grade copper-silver mineralised system to approximately 245 metres of strike. The results also demonstrate that mineralisation is not restricted to the principal argillite host, with notable copper grades intersected in the altered footwall sequence — a finding that expands the exploration target beyond the previously interpreted footprint.

Latest Development

Hole TX26-014 returned two distinct zones of copper-silver mineralisation. The upper interval, 27.7 metres at 1.51% copper and 5.69 g/t silver from 49.3 metres, is the principal argillite-hosted zone commencing just below the overburden interface. A second zone deeper in the hole returned 11.25 metres at 1.43% copper and 13.69 g/t silver from 94.75 metres. Hole TX26-015 intersected 6.54 metres at 1.21% copper and 5.17 g/t silver from 58.66 metres, with approximately 4.75 metres of this interval occurring within the sheared and altered footwall sequence rather than the overlying argillite. This footwall mineralisation, with individual copper assays up to approximately 2.02%, demonstrates that economic grades occur outside the principal host unit. Results from holes TX26-016 to TX26-023 are pending, and the Phase-2 programme is expected to continue to early January 2027.

Company Background

Aruma Resources is an ASX-listed copper-focused exploration company. The Tillex Project, located in the prolific Timmins mining district of Ontario, Canada, is its core asset. The mineralisation style is interpreted as VMS (Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide) copper-silver, hosted within steeply dipping argillite and felsic volcanic rocks. Aruma commenced its own drilling at Tillex in 2026 following the Acquisition of patent and mining claims covering the project area. Prior to Aruma's involvement, historical drilling in the 1970s defined the initial copper intersections, with Metals Creek Resources completing additional drilling in 2008. Aruma holds the majority of the project through 100% ownership of two patent claims, with two further patent claims subject to a 3% joint ownership structure.

Sector Context

The Timmins mining district is one of Canada's most historically productive mining camps, with decades of base and precious metal production. The Archean Tisdale Volcanic Assemblage that hosts Tillex is an established geological setting for VMS copper mineralisation, with structural controls broadly analogous to other VMS camps globally. Copper Demand continues to be supported by infrastructure electrification, renewable energy deployment, and EV adoption. Near-surface copper deposits with continuous high-grade mineralisation in well-understood geological settings attract interest from both exploration and development-stage investors.

Market Perception

The extension of the mineralised footprint to 245 metres of strike, combined with the identification of footwall-hosted copper in TX26-015, represents meaningful geological progress from Phase-2 drilling. The multiple high-grade sub-intervals within the principal argillite host — including individual assays of approximately 3.2% copper in TX26-014 — maintain the project's high-grade character even as the system expands in length. The identification of footwall mineralisation adds a new geological vector for future targeting beyond the existing mineralised footprint, potentially increasing the addressable resource area.

Growth Drivers

The Tillex mineralised trend extends for approximately 3.2 kilometres of prospective strike, the majority of which remains largely unexplored beyond the current focused drill area. The acquisition of PAT4887 patent claim has opened a priority target area to the north-east of the existing high-grade zone, which will be incorporated into Phase-2 drilling. The system remains open down-dip and largely untested to depth. These factors collectively provide a substantial runway for continued resource growth ahead of a first mineral resource estimate.

Risks and Challenges

Tillex remains an exploration-stage asset without a defined mineral resource estimate, and the economic viability of a potential mining operation has not been evaluated. The VMS mineralisation style, while well understood, can exhibit complex geometries and variable grade continuity at a scale relevant to mine planning. The project is located beneath approximately 40 metres of glacial till, which adds to drilling costs and constrains access to the mineralised system. Canadian permitting and environmental requirements for future development will need to be addressed. Additionally, the small patent claim ownership split creates a minor joint interest consideration for two of the four patent claim areas.

Recent Announcements

Phase-1 drilling earlier in 2026 delivered a series of exceptional intersections, including 89 metres at 2.04% copper and 12.31 g/t silver from 38.8 metres in TX26-004. Phase-2 commenced in September 2026 and has progressively extended the mineralised system to the south-west. The strategic acquisition of PAT4887 was announced in October 2026 and provides immediate north-eastern strike continuation coverage.

Key Insights

Aruma Resources has advanced the Tillex copper-silver system to 245 metres of defined strike while introducing a new geological dimension — footwall-hosted mineralisation — that extends the exploration target beyond the principal argillite host. With Phase-2 drilling approximately 70% complete and pending results from eight holes designed to further extend strike to the south-west, the system retains meaningful near-term growth potential. The new PAT4887 acquisition provides a priority north-eastern drill target, and the depth extent of the system remains largely untested.