The Eloise joint venture will step up drilling next year at its Jericho copper-gold prospect, 60km south-east of Cloncurry.

Assays from the latest three drill holes at Jericho again extended its mineralised footprint, joint venture partner Minotaur Exploration said.

The Minotaur-Oz Minerals joint venture has agreed to an intensified drilling program at Jericho, commencing in April 2019 after cessation of the wet season.

The initial phase of drilling is expected to comprise around 23,000m with two rigs drilling continuously.

The focus will initially be in the central portion of Jericho, in the top 300m, where assays show good continuity of more than 2 per cent copper intersections at relatively shallow depth.