This week, in Boise, Idaho, Idaho Copper Corporation commenced a critical next step in its business plan, deploying Veracio’s TruScan mobile scanning unit to begin analysing over 60,000 ft (18,288 m) of drill core.

In a warehouse holding this core, Veracio will begin digital scanning and measuring the metal grades associated with this core, which has been pulled from the CuMo project over the past 20 years.

The TruScan mobile scanning unit contains sophisticated software and XRF (X-ray Fluorescence ) scanning equipment that analyses drill core on as small as 15 mm intervals to detect and measure copper and molybdenum grades. XRF technology is non-destructive and works by measuring the fluorescent (or secondary) X-ray emitted from a solid material sample when it is exposed to a primary X-ray source. Each of the elements present in a sample produces a set of characteristic fluorescent X-rays that is unique for that specific element.

The company will use this data to confirm previous laboratory analyses of the metal distribution within the core, and compare the detailed scan results with previous studies. The results will then be used to determine potential ore sorting parameters in an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA), and to select various bulk core samples for detailed metallurgical and ore sorting studies.

The ultimate goal of this exercise is to reduce the overall mill size and significantly increase mill feed grades, which the company expects will translate into lower capital costs and higher profitability for the project.

Idaho Copper Corporation is a mineral exploration and development company focused on exploring and developing a copper-molybdenum-silver deposit in Idaho. The CuMo project currently consists of 126 federal unpatented lode mining claims, and six patented mining claims. In total, the project comprises approximately 2,640 acres (1,068 ha).