Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) has announced the extension of multiple high-grade copper-nickel massive sulphide zones at its Oval Cu-Ni-PGE discovery, part of the company’s wholly owned Yambat Project in Mongolia.
This follows the latest Phase 3 drilling program results, which continue to show the potential for a camp-scale magmatic sulphide system, bolstering Asian Battery Metals’ confidence in the project’s long-term prospects.
Plan map of completed drillholes of Phase 3 drilling on Reduced to Pole (RTP) Magnetic map overlaying the Satellite Image
Key drill results confirm continuity
Drill hole OVD036 intersected 8.7 metres of high-grade mineralisation, including 3.72% copper and 3.82% nickel, extending the high-grade mineralisation by 130 metres down-dip from previous intercepts at North Oval. This result builds on prior discoveries, confirming both the depth and strike continuity of the mineralised system.
OVD036 cross-section, note previously announced holes included in faint font type and referenced
Additional high-grade zones were encountered in drill hole OVD040, which returned:
- 6.9 metres at 3.49% copper, 3.61% nickel, 0.76g/t PGE, and 0.14% cobalt from 93.5m
- 70.2 metres at 0.65% copper, 0.65% nickel, 0.18g/t PGE, and 0.03% cobalt from 49.0m, including 3.5 metres at 0.91% copper, 0.90% nickel, 0.25g/t PGE, and 0.05% cobalt from 90.0m
OVD040 cross-section, note previously announced holes included in faint font type and referenced
These high-grade results highlight the continuity of the mineralisation and confirm the potential for a larger, shallower sulphide zone at Oval.
Expanding the footprint
The results also suggest the mineralisation is semi-continuous over an 800-metre stretch, including both North Oval and the Oval gabbroic intrusion. Regional drilling at the MS1 and MS2 targets has further confirmed the fertility of the broader magmatic system, with encouraging signs for new discovery zones.
Drill holes OVD038 and OVD039, although reporting slightly lower grades, confirmed the presence of sulphide mineralisation in key areas of the North Oval intrusion. The mineralisation at these locations supports the continuity of the system, which is expected to be further delineated as exploration progresses.
OVD038 and OVD039 cross-section
"These results continue to demonstrate the strength of the mineralised system at Yambat,” said Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren, managing director of Asian Battery Metals. “High-grade zones at Oval and North Oval are now confirmed to extend both at depth and along strike."
Next steps and exploration update
With a successful Phase 3 drilling program now concluded, Asian Battery Metals is moving ahead with several key initiatives. The company is conducting a ground-based electromagnetic survey (SAMSON) on Oval and surrounding areas, with results expected in mid-July. Initial metallurgical test work is scheduled for completion in Q3 2025.
A high-resolution magnetic survey is also underway at MS2 to support future drill targeting, and the next phase of drilling is expected to commence in the coming weeks.
Asian Battery Metals remains fully funded for the 2025 exploration program, which aims to delineate the full extent of mineralisation at Oval and uncover additional opportunities within the broader Yambat project.
In addition to Yambat, which also includes the Copper Ridge Cu-Au discovery, Asian Battery Metals continues to advance the Khukh Tag Graphite and Tsagaan Ders Lithium projects in Mongolia. The company’s strategic focus is on expanding its footprint in key battery metals to cater to the rapidly growing electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.