High-Priority Nickel Targets To Be Tested
Auroch Minerals Limited (ASX:AOU) is commencing a 1,500m diamond drill programme at its 100%-owned Leinster Nickel Project in Western Australia.
The programme will test high-priority targets at the exciting Valdez and Horn nickel prospects and will commence at the Valdez Prospect where deep reverse circulation (RC) drill-holes and subsequent DHEM surveys completed earlier this month identified a strong off- hole conductor of 7,000-14,000S.
Notably, the conductor is coincident with the modelled ultramafic-mafic lithological contact in an embayment or channel position as defined by first-pass air-core (AC) drilling completed in July.
The AC drilling also identified the ultramafic as a fertile, nickel-bearing high-MgO unit, all characteristics necessary for significant nickel sulphide mineralisation.
The company will test this high-priority drill target with a single hole to a depth of approximately 400m, and will follow this up with further DHEM surveys to test and model continuity of the conductor.
At the Horn Prospect, the diamond drilling will infill existing drill lines to validate historic high-grade nickel sulphide intercepts, which include: 14.66m @ 2.19% Ni & 0.48% Cu from 132.6m; 10.80m @ 2.21% Ni & 0.53% Cu from 144.0m; and 7.00m @ 2.58% Ni & 0.63% Cu from 158.6m.
In addition, the programme will test potential extensions to the known sulphide mineralisation by drilling structural positions and existing DHEM plates identified as high priority by the Company via a geophysical review completed earlier this year.
A review of the historic drill-hole database by the geological team has identified a structural control on the known nickel sulphide mineralisation at the Horn. In addition to defining new drill targets to extend the known mineralisation, the identification of this structural control has increased the potential for further nickel sulphide mineralisation over kilometres of strike to the northwest of the Horn.
Managing Director, Aidan Platel, said Auroch is planning further drilling to test the strike extents with a RC drill programme scheduled for early next year.
“We are very excited to be kicking off diamond drilling at our Leinster Nickel Project. The step-by-step exploration strategy at the Valdez Prospect has consistently ticked the boxes in terms of the right characteristics for Kambalda-style nickel sulphide mineralisation, and hence the strong DHEM conductor we have identified there is a number one drill priority,” Mr Platel said.
“A review of the historic data at the Horn has revealed some exceptional high-grade nickel sulphide intercepts at shallow depths that we will look to validate and build upon with this drill programme.
“The review has also highlighted a structural control on the mineralisation that opens up kilometres of previously untested strike to the Horn, as well as identifying some strong historic DHEM conductors that are priority targets for drill testing.
“Both prospects have great potential to host significant nickel sulphide mineralisation and we are eager to see what results this programme will deliver!”
West Core Drilling Pty Ltd, which has significant experience in the Goldfields region and have been awarded the contract to complete the diamond drill programme.
