FMR Resources (ASX:FMR) is stepping up exploration at its recently acquired Los Warbos copper-gold project in Chile.

The company has already completed a helicopter magnetic and radiometric survey across the project, which it acquired in late July. For junior explorers, these first-pass datasets are often used to sharpen the picture before more expensive ground work and drilling, and FMR said the new survey has significantly improved its understanding of the geological architecture at Los Warbos.

The company said the survey has provided a high-resolution geophysical dataset to support geological mapping and exploration targeting.

Managing director Oliver Kiddie said the survey identified a series of discrete magnetic anomalies across the project. Geological mapping completed by FMR during the due diligence program has validated these geological relationships across several priority mineralised areas, while also showing that large areas of the project remain to be systematically mapped.

“The helicopter magnetic and radiometric survey has significantly advanced our understanding of the Los Warbos project. By integrating multiple, independent datasets, we have refined our exploration model and increased confidence in a number of high-priority skarn and porphyry targets that will form the focus of our next phase of exploration,” Mr Kiddie said.

“The identification of the numerous magnetic anomalies associated with regional mapping, adjacent to high-grade Cu-Au-Ag skarn mineralisation, provides an incredibly compelling set of porphyry-source and skarn targets, along a +15km-long prospective corridor.

“New multi-element geochemistry has returned further high-grade copper and silver results and provided further evidence of a long-lived hydrothermal system with potential to host multiple significant discoveries. The systematic exploration across Los Warbos continues at pace as we progress towards maiden drilling at this exciting project.”

Radiometric interpretation has refined the distribution of the Formación Río Tascadero marine carbonate sequence, which is the principal host to the known Los Molles copper-gold and silver skarn mineralisation. Key radiometric responses show a strong spatial correlation with several of the priority magnetic anomalies while also delineating the favourable carbonate target horizon.

Mr Kiddie said the correlation between the magnetic and radiometric datasets has significantly increased confidence in the company’s geological interpretation and provides a robust foundation for prioritising the next phase of exploration.

FMR was down 1.27% at 39.0 cents, giving it a market capitalisation of $25.25 million.