RAB drilling is a cost effective exploration tool for shallow mineralized targets (Image: Layne)

RAB drilling is a cost effective exploration tool for shallow mineralized targets (Image: Layne)

Simon Ridgeway's Cordoba Minerals (CDB:TSXV) has begun its 2014 exploration efforts with the mobilization of a RAB (rotary air blasted) rig to begin drilling their Montiel prospect on the San Matias project in Cordoba, Colombia.  The company recently closed a $15 million (expanded from $12 million) financing to consolidate the San Matias project as well as to fund exploration plans.  The company previously drilled the project and announced 101.1m of 1.1% copper and 0.65g/t gold (November 2013).

On a project like Montiel, RAB drilling is a cost effective way to narrow targets in order to do deeper, follow-up diamond drilling later.  There are four main drilling methods in mining with the lowest cost being Auger drilling which can only be completed to roughly 20m depth.  Then there RAB which can be drilled to 150m depth followed by RC (reverse circulation) which can be drilled up to 500m.  Finally diamond drilling, the most expensive, which can be drilled up to 2,000m.

Drill core from previous diamond drilling encountered up to 101m of 1% copper (Photo: Cordoba Minerals)

Drill core from previous diamond drilling encountered up to 101m of 1% copper (Photo: Cordoba Minerals)

The company has designed the RAB drill specifically for the San Matias project and will drill the upper 50 vertical metres of the exposed porphyry copper-gold mineralization.  Percussion drilling will move west to east on the project.  Once the first pass of RAB drilling is complete, the company will drill narrowed targets with diamond drilling.

Simon Ridgway, CEO of Cordoba, commented: "We are extremely pleased to commence our 2014 drilling program at the Montiel prospect, the first of numerous porphyry Cu-Au targets identified to date, and start unlocking the full potential of the San Matias project."

The company has identified a 1km in diameter copper-gold anomaly on the Montiel prospect which has mineralized porphyry copper-gold intrusive centres in outcrop and shallow artisanal mine shafts throughout the project.  The company expects to close the remaining consolidation of the project in early 2014.  Cordoba is well funded for exploration in 2014.

Read: Cordoba Minerals Announces the Mobilization of a RAB Drill-Rig to Commence
Exploration Drilling of the Montiel Prospect