The interval was notched up from 220m down the hole, while further up at a 48m depth there was a 16m intersection at 0.28% copper.

The first hole at the prospect landed a 22m intersection at 1.42% copper from a depth of 146m in late 2012 and another drilling pad is being prepared to scope out more Kum Kom targets.

"Kum Kom is a very large magnetic and geochemical anomaly and a priority target," Highlands Pacific managing director and chief executive officer John Gooding said.

"As we chase the primary source of mineralisation, not every hole will always have high grades but we remain very encouraged by the district potential."

Another rig is at the Tuk prospect while a 326m hole at the Pad48 prospect failed to notch up notable copper results.

Located 20km northeast of the Ok Tedi mine, the project hosts six prospects so far, including the standout Olgal prospect which provided a massive 596m intersection grading 0.61% copper last year.