Balladonia Aircore Drilling Underway
AusQuest Limited (ASX: AQD) has commenced a programme of air-core drilling at the Balladonia Copper-Nickel Project in the Fraser Range region of Western Australia under its Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of South32.
A total of approximately 60 holes (~2,000m) are planned to provide a geochemical test of five discrete magnetic targets that are thought to reflect possible Iron-Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG)and/or Broken Hill Type (BHT) deposits, similar to those found in the Eastern Succession of north-west Queensland.
Results from earlier diamond drilling support the possibility of widespread carbonatite activity within the broader Balladonia region which strengthens comparisons between the Balladonia Region (Fraser Range) and the Eastern Succession of north-west Queensland (east of Mt Isa), where iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and Broken Hill Type (BHT) deposits are known to occur.
The discovery of anomalous base metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag) at the company’s Telegraph Prospect and the possible association of base metals with carbonatite intrusions as found at Telegraph, supports the notion that further base metals should be found in this area.
Drilling is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete, with final assays expected within four to six weeks of completion of the program.
AusQuest’s Managing Director, Graeme Drew, said the start of air-core drilling was an exciting development after a relatively long hiatus in exploration activity in the area.
“This programme is targeting discrete geophysical targets in an area of extensive cover that have never been tested before,” he said.
“We are looking forward to seeing what the program will reveal and look forward to reporting on the results when they become available.”
