Corporate News
SMURFIT WESTROCK PLC Drilling Programme at Southwest Project Yields Promising High‑Grade Platinum‑Group Metal, Copper, and Nickel Intersections
SMURFIT WESTROCK PLC (SW) has reported a series of encouraging results from its latest drilling programme at the Southwest (SW) project. The programme employed both reverse‑circulation and diamond drilling techniques, reaching depths of over 700 m to investigate the continuation of shallow reefs and the extension of deeper mineralised bodies.
Technical Highlights
| Drill Hole | Depth Interval | Grade (g/t) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWDD011W1 | 160–320 m | ~3.5 | Continuous high‑grade reefs |
| SWDD011W2 | 200–380 m | ~3.5 | Continuous high‑grade reefs |
| Surface‑depth | 0–200 m | 0.75–1.01 | Long, high‑grade intervals |
| Other intervals | 194 m (1.01 g/t), 200 m (0.75 g/t), 129 m (0.98 g/t) | – | Representative of overall grade distribution |
The most notable results are a series of long, high‑grade intervals, some exceeding 200 m at surface depth. These include a 194 m interval at 1.01 g/t of platinum‑group metals (PGM) combined with copper‑nickel, a 200 m interval at 0.75 g/t, and a 129 m interval at 0.98 g/t. The diamond drilling confirmed the persistence of these reefs at depths between 160 m and 380 m, with grades approaching 3.5 g/t in several zones.
Copper and nickel enrichment was consistently observed within the same intervals, indicating a robust sulfide system that could permit selective processing of the high‑grade material.
Resource Development Pathway
Resource definition work is currently underway, with a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate anticipated for Q1 2027. Metallurgical testing is progressing to determine recoveries and to evaluate concentrate configurations that could improve project economics. Following the resource estimate, a scoping study will assess early mining methods, processing options, and development pathways.
Strategic Implications
The drilling programme has expanded understanding of the deposit’s geometry, confirming the presence of high‑grade reefs from surface to depth. This knowledge supports the company’s strategy of low‑strip open‑cut mining combined with selective reef processing, potentially reducing capital and operating costs.
Further drilling and assay work will refine the resource model and underpin subsequent feasibility studies, thereby moving the project closer to production.
Key Takeaway: SMURFIT WESTROCK’s recent drilling has revealed extensive high‑grade PGM, copper, and nickel mineralisation at Southwest, providing a solid technical foundation for advancing the project’s resource definition and economic feasibility.
