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- Junior explorer Comet Resources (CRL) has appointed a new Project Manager for its Barraba Copper Project in NSW as it gears up to explore the area
- Mart Rampe is a New South Wales geoscientist with 46 years’ worth of experience in the minerals and metals exploration game
- He has already begun working on Barraba in his new role as Project Manager, meaning Comet is edging towards its initial exploration work at the project
- This will include drill-testing some high-priority targets and taking on geophysics work to better understand the geology of the area
- Shares in Comet are trading grey this afternoon, currently worth 1.6 cents each
Junior base and precious metals explorer Comet Resources (CRL) is edging closer to kicking off exploration work at its new Barraba Copper Project in NSW.
The company bought the project in January and has since been working to start drill testing in the area as part of an initial exploration program. According to Comet, Barraba has never been systemically tested by modern exploration techniques.
In a project update this morning, the company touted the expertise of Barraba’s new Project Manager, Mart Rampe.
Half a century of knowledge
Mart received his Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology from the University of NSW in 1973 and has been working in the world of mineral exploration ever since.
As a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Mineral Industry Consultants Association, the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand, Mart brings with him 46 years of experience in minerals exploration and development.
He has taken on senior management positions in both listed and private exploration companies and has worked in gold, base metals, uranium, a coal exploration. His years of experience have seen him work in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, the U.S., and more.
Mart has officially been appointed as Project Manager for all aspects of the Barraba Copper Project.
Comet Managing Director Matthew O’Kane spoke highly of Mart, saying he’s a “huge asset” for the company.
“He has already commenced work on the project and as soon as permits are in place he will conduct site visits to finalise the drill-hole location plan and conduct some surface exploration activities,” Matthew said.
“We are aiming to commence the initial field exploration program in the third quarter and are looking forward to testing the area around the historical Gulf Creek mine which produced copper grading five per cent on average during its period of operation,” he continued.
Why copper?
Comet’s search for copper is based on the global switch to renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs).
While lithium is often in the spotlight as the hottest commodity for EV tech, Comet said it believes demand for copper is set to spike, too, due to the metal’s several important uses in renewable energy.
Not only is copper a key part of the batteries used to power EVs, but it is used extensively in electric motors that drive the wheels of these vehicles. Moreover, copper is used in products that generate electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power.
At Barraba, Comet’s initial exploration program will include drill testing areas below historic deposits and high-level exploration targets outline by an induced polarisation (IP) survey of the area that was never followed up.
Downhole geophysics work will go hand-in-hand with the drill testing to give Comet a better understanding of what lies beneath the earth.
Comet shares saw a morning spike after today’s project update but have since settled to sit grey in mid-afternoon trade. Currently, shares are worth 1.6 cents each.
