Tivan (ASX:TVN) said drilling at the Scorpion prospect, located within the Baucau project in East Timor, is scheduled to begin in late October, with the program to be the first dedicated subsurface test for copper-gold in the country, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.

The program will comprise up to six stratigraphic diamond drill holes, for up to 1,500 meters. The National Mineral Authority awarded Category B environmental classification across two Baucau project concessions.

The start of the program remains subject to acceptance by East Timor's National Mineral Authority, Autoridade Nacional dos Minerais, of the firm's drilling plan and supporting documentation, including an Environmental Management Plan and Simplified Environmental Impact Statement.