Loyal Metals Begins AI-Enhanced Drilling at Highway Reward Copper-Gold Project
Loyal Metals (ASX:LLM) has commenced an AI-enhanced drilling program at its flagship Highway Reward Copper-Gold Mine in Queensland—marking a major step forward for the company’s exploration strategy and placing it at the forefront of data-driven resource discovery in Australia.
The program integrates machine learning via VRIFY’s DORA platform to interpret over 122,000 metres of historical drilling and target unmined zones with significant copper and gold intercepts. Highway Reward is already known for its impressive production history—3.65 million tonnes at 5.7% Cu and 260,000 tonnes at 4.5 g/t Au—and Loyal is now aiming to define new mineralised zones near existing workings and at shallow depths.
Managing Director Adam Ritchie said the campaign represents a technological leap in exploration.
“We are excited to be at the forefront of exploration technology, deploying AI-enhanced drilling at Highway Reward. This approach is expected to deliver superior geological insights and support our goal of unlocking the full value of this world-class copper-gold asset for our loyal shareholders.”
Exceptional Intercepts and Funding in Place
Loyal’s AI-driven targeting is focused on high-grade, unmined intercepts recorded in historical campaigns, including:
33m @ 5.0% Cu (PDR4000008)
30m @ 5.1% Cu (DDR4000006)
10m @ 17.7 g/t Au and 10m @ 14.3 g/t Au (PDR1000047)
2m @ 105.4 g/t Au (PDR1000054)
These results highlight the potential to rapidly define resources within previously mined corridors and overlooked extensions. The company is fully funded for the campaign, with $5.8 million in cash as of June 2025.
AI in the Field: VRIFY’s DORA Platform
The use of VRIFY’s DORA system sets this program apart. DORA uses machine learning models trained on geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to identify patterns missed by traditional methods. Described as a geoscience-specific analogue to ChatGPT, the platform provides predictive insights that inform drill placement and geological modelling.
At Highway Reward, DORA is integrating legacy drilling, geophysics, and field mapping to generate high-confidence targets and accelerate the discovery process. This not only reduces exploration risk but also positions Loyal Metals as one of the first ASX juniors to embed AI at the core of its exploration workflow.
Strategic Positioning in the Copper-Gold Narrative
With copper prices buoyed by the global energy transition and gold providing a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty, Loyal’s timing could prove prescient. Highway Reward’s grade profile puts it among the highest-grade copper-gold projects in Australia—and the addition of AI-driven discovery only adds to its appeal.
The company is also adopting AI tools for internal communications, investor engagement, and operational planning, creating a fully integrated digital exploration model. From machine learning to corporate messaging, Loyal Metals is positioning itself not just as a resource explorer, but as a next-generation mining technology company.