About this episode
Interview with Rupert Verco, CEO & Managing Director of Cobra Resources PLCOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cobra-resources-lsecobr-targeting-low-cost-rare-earths-through-isr-extraction-9181Recording date: 6th March 2026Cobra Resources has reported a strong start to drilling at the Manahill Copper Project in South Australia, delivering wide, high-grade copper intersections that materially strengthen the exploration case for a potentially significant porphyry-related system. For investors, the early results suggest the project could host both near-surface economic mineralisation and the potential for a larger copper system at depth. The drilling program followed Cobra’s option agreement over the Manahill project signed in mid-2025. Initial exploration began with geophysical work, including induced polarisation (IP) surveys designed to identify sulphide-rich zones associated with porphyry copper systems. Based on these targets, the company completed an 18-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program, with the first four holes now reported. Two standout intersections were returned from the same drilling transect. The first hole intersected 74 metres grading just over 1% copper with approximately 0.25 g/t gold, while another returned 84 metres of copper mineralisation with associated gold. Importantly, these are thick mineralised zones interpreted to represent a true mineralised width of roughly 70 metres. Such broad intercepts are considered highly encouraging at this stage of exploration because they suggest the presence of a substantial mineralised body rather than narrow vein systems. The mineralisation occurs from shallow depths, beginning only tens of metres below surface. This is significant from a potential development perspective, as shallow mineralisation can support lower strip ratios and improve the economics of future open-pit mining scenarios. Historical drilling in the area had already identified oxide copper mineralisation, including intersections such as 48 metres grading 2.2% copper with gold credits, but the latest drilling confirms that the mineralisation continues into the deeper primary sulphide zone. This distinction is important because oxide copper can often be processed using relatively low-cost heap leaching, while deeper sulphide mineralisation is typically processed through conventional flotation circuits. A project containing both zones can benefit from a phased development approach—starting with lower-capex oxide production before transitioning to sulphide processing as the operation expands. Geologically, Cobra believes the mineralisation may represent a skarn-style system linked to a larger porphyry copper intrusion. Evidence supporting this model includes the presence of intrusive rocks such as quartz monzonite and diorite dykes intersected in drilling. In addition, the company has identified molybdenum mineralisation, with standalone intersections up to 10–12 metres grading around 0.1% molybdenum. Molybdenum is commonly associated with fertile porphyry systems and may act as a vector toward the core of a larger copper deposit. The broader exploration footprint also supports the potential scale of the system. Cobra has already identified approximately 1.6 kilometres of mineralised strike length and mineralisation extending 300–400 metres vertically. Based on the mineralised widths and grades encountered so far, management estimates that the currently intersected zone alone could host around 500,000 tonnes of contained copper metal if continuity is confirmed. Importantly, Manahill appears to be part of a larger porphyry province, and Cobra has several additional targets across the project area. These include Netley Hill, where a previous drill hole intersected 350 metres grading 0.1% copper from surface, suggesting the possibility of large-scale bulk-tonnage mineralisation. Another target, Annabella, also shows promising geological indicators. Cobra still has results pending from the remaining 14 holes in the current drilling program, which will help refine the geological model and guide the next phase of drilling. The company already holds permits for 29 additional RC holes and three diamond holes, allowing it to quickly follow up on the discovery and test deeper targets. For investors, the key next steps will be confirming the scale and continuity of the mineralised system. If drilling continues to deliver similar widths and grades, Manahill could evolve into a multi-million-tonne copper system within a highly favourable mining jurisdiction.—View Cobra Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cobra-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com