Dundas Minerals Limited (ASX: DUN) has intercepted a mafic-ultramafic complex including extensive zones of massive, semi- massive, highly disseminated and disseminated sulphides in the first drill hole (22CEDD001) at its Central exploration target in the Albany-Fraser Orogen, Western Australia.
Diamond drill hole one (22CEDD001) was completed to a depth of 423.4m and intersected a large mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex commencing at ~170m down hole. Intense potassic altered gabbro was intersected with sulphidic quartz veins and quartz stockworks (possible gold and silver mineralisation). The drill hole also intersected felsic porphyry intrusions from 154m.
Extensive massive, semi-massive, highly disseminated and disseminated sulphides were intersected from 32m to 423.40m (downhole), and sulphidic quartz veins from 43.5m to 412.1m. A total of 358.37m of sulphides (visual estimation) was intercepted, inclusive of:
• 4.26m massive sulphide averaging 88% volume estimate (including: 1.44m from 209.68- 211.12m @90% estimated volume, and 1.29m from 253.41-254.70m @95% estimated volume);
• 4.96m semi massive sulphide averaging 55% volume estimate (including: 1.60m from 154.60- 156.20m @50% estimated volume, and 0.81m from 163.10-163.91m @55% estimated volume);
• 7.60m matrix/net, blebby & stringer sulphide averaging 40% volume estimate (including: 3.3m from 149.40-152.70m @40% estimated volume, and 2.2m from 194.30-196.50m @40% estimated volume);
• 136.16m highly disseminated sulphide averaging 17% volume estimate (including: 15.5m from 115.00-130.50m @15% estimated volume, and 12.65m from 350.25-362.90m @12% estimated volume); and
• 205.39m disseminated sulphide averaging 5% volume estimate (including: 16.31m from 302.48- 318.79 @3% estimated volume, and 11.75m from 260.92-272.67m @5% estimated volume).
The geological setting at Central is complex. With only a single diamond drill hole the geology is not yet sufficiently understood, however this is a geological environment conducive to an intrusive Ni- Cu-Co type deposit, plus gold and silver.
Assay results are required to confirm mineralisation and further drilling is required. Initially an additional four diamond drill holes for a total programme of ~2,000m are planned, however given the results of Hole 1 this program is likely to be expanded.
In terms of the type and extent of mineralisation in Hole 1, many pXRF readings in the first 25m of the hole were anomalous in silver (Ag) (which is considered promising for possible gold mineralisation). The highest pXRF reading for Ag in the first 25m of core was 56ppm (g/t).
For the remainder of the hole there are many pXRF readings anomalous in cobalt (Co): highest reading 2,250ppm; copper (Cu): highest reading 9,402ppm; zinc (Zn): highest reading 1,912ppm; Molybdenum (Mo): highest reading 1,012ppm; and silver (Ag): highest reading 14ppm (g/t), along with gold pathfinder elements (selenium, tungsten, tin, mercury and arsenic). The highest pXRF reading for nickel (Ni) was 558ppm.
Visual observation of Hole 1 drill core, and specifically the extent of alteration and the presence of sulphides within almost all of the core (disseminated, highly disseminated, semi-massive and massive), the prolific quartz veins, plus the pXRF results, has determined that sampling and assay of the entire 423m of core for mineralisation will take place. Assay results may take between six and eight weeks as the core needs to be transported from site, cut, sampled and prepared for assay.
For further information please visit: https://dundasminerals.com/
