C3 Metals Inc. has started a large-scale geophysical survey at its Bellas Gate copper-gold project in Jamaica, aiming to identify new drill targets and see deeper into potential mineral systems than ever before.
The Toronto-based a mineral exploration company said that the 3D induced polarisation, or 3DIP, survey will cover about 70 square kilometres, more than four times the area of previous surveys, and reach depths of up to 700 metres, compared with roughly 300 metres before.
Geophysical surveys like this measure variations in the ground’s electrical chargeability and resistance, which can help pinpoint mineral-rich zones underground.
Dan Symons, the company’s president and chief executive, said the new program would deliver “valuable chargeability and resistivity data across the majority of the project area, and importantly, at depth.”
He added that C3 plans to fold the data into its geological model to design its 2026 drilling campaign.
The survey, being conducted by Dias Geophysical, is expected to be completed by December. Data from the project will be integrated with earlier magnetic and geochemical findings to fine-tune upcoming drill targets.
C3’s Bellas Gate property spans about 13,000 hectares across three exploration licences in central Jamaica.
Earlier drilling has already confirmed copper-gold mineralization in several areas, including Provost, Connors, and Camel Hill. Notable results include 390.7 metres grading 0.37% copper and 0.19 grams per tonne of gold at Provost, and 208 metres at 0.43% copper and 0.20 grams per tonne of gold at Camel Hill.
The company’s earlier survey covered just 16 square kilometres and was reliable to about 300 metres deep. The new effort is designed to extend that reach to more than twice the depth, potentially revealing additional mineral systems beneath known prospects.
C3’s exploration work at Bellas Gate is being advanced under a partnership announced in February with Freeport-McMoRan Exploration, a unit of US copper giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
The deal allows Freeport to earn up to a 75% stake in the project by funding as much as US$75 million in exploration and related spending.
Beyond Jamaica, C3 Metals also holds significant exploration ground in southern Peru’s Andahuaylas-Yauri copper belt, home to several major mining operations.
Completion of the 3DIP survey could set up an active drilling season in 2026 as C3 and Freeport look to expand their understanding of one of Jamaica’s most promising mineral districts.
