Well-funded Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX: GAL) has identified a number of new nickel targets in its highly prospective Fraser Range exploration portfolio in Western Australia.
Reconnaissance aircore drilling combined with detailed magnetic data has highlighted petrographic rock description of samples which show the presence of three new intrusions.
Managing Director, Brad Underwood, said these intrusions, named Think Big, Backwood and Green Moon, have the potential to host magmatic nickel mineralisation under shallow cover rock ranging from 17m to 92. below surface.
Galileo is now planning to conduct a high-powered ground electro-magnetic (EM) survey to cover the newly identified intrusions with the intention of defining zones of potential nickel mineralisation.
“Our recent $5 million placement has allowed us to expand the amount of exploration we are undertaking in the Fraser Range.
“We have now substantially increased the search space around our Lantern Prospect and have the funds to effectively explore the entire area over the next six to twelve months.
“Our Fraser Range ground has never before been explored for nickel and the significant chance of a high value discovery makes this is an exciting time to be investing in the area.”
Drill holes at the Think Big, Backwood and Green Moon Prospect were found to have intersected mafic or ultramafic rocks. Mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks are critical in exploration for the type of deposits described as “magmatic nickel sulphides” which occur at the Fraser Range.
The best-known example of magmatic nickel sulphide in the Fraser Range is the currently operating Nova Nickel Mine. At this location nickel mineralisation is intimately associated with mafic and ultramafic intrusions.
Galileo is following a similar exploration methodology with drilling used to demonstrate the occurrence of nickel prospective rocks prior to EM surveying. EM surveying at Galileo’s new prospects aims to directly detect zones of sulphide mineralisation.
Upcoming work programmes planned at the Think Big, Backwood and Green Moon Prospects include:
- Electro-magnetic surveying of prospective zones aiming to define conductors for drill testing;
- Additional aircore drilling to delineate the near surface boundaries of the prospective intrusive rocks; and
Reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drill testing of targets defined by EM surveying and shallow drilling
