Navarre Minerals announced on Monday new drill results confirmed high-grade copper and gold results at its Eclipse prospect.

The Eclipse prospect runs from Cherrypool on the western side of the Grampians to near Glenthompson and Willaura.

Managing director Geoff McDermott said the results were from three drill holes and additional samples in other holes.

The company discovered gold in the area earlier this month. 

Mr McDermott said it highlighted the potential for further gold to be found.

Thick copper mineralisation was also reported at the drill holes.

Mr McDermott said he believed the latest find was part of a major porphyry copper gold system.

“These systems are monster deposits of millions of tonnes,” he said.

“These deposits account for most of the world’s copper production and are mined over 50 or 100 years.

“The possibility of finding one in western Victoria is like digging up Tutankhamun’s burial site – it’s a great discovery.”

Mr McDermott said further drilling could readily scope the copper potential. 

“We are hoping to further drill the site and hopefully turn this into a big ore deposit,” he said.

“We will then talk to the State Government, get a mining licence and hopefully start a mine in about five to 10 years.”

Mr McDermott said it was an exciting discovery.

The zone was found 30 metres below the surface.

“It is at the top of the water table, so it has been explored in the past but has never gone any deeper,” Mr McDermott said.

“Because the water is moving up and down, it pulls all the metal out and therefore if we only drill short holes, we don’t see anything.

“It’s not until we drill a fraction deeper that we start to see metals.”

Mr McDermott said there would be another drill program in the next few months before winter.

“Once the winter rains hit, the ground becomes like quicksand, so we generally avoid the area during winter,” he said.