TIN: Trenares results confirm Cornish’s hunch

Cornish Metals has received the first assay results from its recent drilling campaign at its United Downs project.
The company is actively re-developing the South Crofty mine, having received significant investment from Vision Blue Resources. The fund was founded by Sir Mick Davis, former CEO of Xstrata before its acquisition by Glencore. However, Cornish Metals also owns the United Downs project, a nearby exploration target.
Previous drilling at United Downs focused on historic mining areas and returned strong tin mineralisation. The most recent drilling campaign targeted the Trenares Lode. This lode is located just 300m south of the former Mt Wellington Mine and was discovered in the 1970s. Although exploration was moving in this direction while the Mt Wellington Mine was in operation, no further exploration was conducted on the polymetallic copper-tin-zinc target after the mine closed in 1977. Despite this, Cornish Metals believed that Trenares represented an exciting nearby exploration target.
Nine drill holes were completed in this most recent drilling campaign. In total, nearly 2,700m was drilled, with multiple mineralisation zones intersected. Highlights include 2.42m with 2.88% Sn and 1.43% Zn, and 1.52m at 0.72% Sn, 1.69% Zn, and 14 g/t Au. It appears that Cornish’s hunch paid off. According to CEO Richard Williams, “The presence of high-grade tin and zinc warrants further follow-up exploration. Once we are in receipt of all remaining drill programme assays, we can evaluate the priority targets for follow up work.” Results from a further five holes in the United Downs areas are pending, along with eight holes at the Carn Brea South Target, roughly 2km southeast of South Crofty.
Although Cornish Metals’ focus in now firmly on bringing South Crofty to a construction decision, United Downs remains an interesting project. Strong zinc results highlight the potential for diversification in the company’s portfolio.