Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) is set to restart drilling within two weeks at its Oval copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) discovery in southern Mongolia, after it received encouraging electromagnetic (EM) survey results. The company has now completed 50% of its ongoing SAMSON fixed-loop EM (FLEM) program and identified 29 conductive plates across four target zones — including six Priority-1 plates exhibiting strong conductivity in favourable geological settings.
Location map of fixed-loop SAMSON electromagnetic survey stations and drill target areas.
The next stage of the program will focus on deeper zones and step-out targets, including MS1, MS2 and Quartz Hill, with further EM surveys and drilling slated for August.
“The EM survey has delivered what we hoped for – multiple shallow, coherent conductors that coincide with our existing geological and geophysical datasets,” managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said. “These represent some of our most compelling targets to date, and we’re excited to test them with drilling over the coming weeks. The SAMSON EM program has been expanded and will now focus on deeper zones and nearby structures similar to the Oval Cu-Ni discovery.”
EM survey identifies strong conductors across multiple zones; priority-1 targets defined
The SAMSON FLEM survey used a combination of 400m x 400m and 1,000m x 600m transmitter loops to collect data over Oval, Quartz Hill, MS1 and MS2. Thus far, 29 conductive plates have been modelled, with multiple anomalies supported by structural and magnetic datasets.
Location and Status Map of SAMSON Fixed-Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) Survey Loops with Interpreted Plate Locations and Target Areas on FLEM Conductivity Map.
Twelve 400m x 400m loops across Oval, Central and MS1 (covering 2.14 square kilometres), along with two 1,000m x 600m loops over 1.2 square kilometres at Oval, have yielded overlapping results that improve modelling confidence. While some anomalies were dismissed due to possible super-paramagnetism or signal interference, follow-up surveys with refined configurations are planned.
Within the North Oval and Oval gabbroic zones, 21 conductive plates were identified — six of which have been classified as Priority-1. These targets exhibit conductivities between 5,000 and 60,000 Siemens and occur at shallow depths of 38 to 101 metres below surface.
Priority of FLEM Conductive Plates in North Oval and Oval Zones (white dashed outlines) on Magnetic Vertical Derivative Background.
Their positioning coincides with magnetic highs and known structural features, suggesting they could extend known zones of massive sulphide mineralisation or mineralised gabbro bodies intercepted in prior drilling. These high-priority targets are expected to form the core focus of the upcoming drill program.
Southern and western zones offer additional upside
In the South Area, geophysical data revealed a northwest-southeast trending corridor, coincident with elevated magnetic responses and modelled as a structural priority area. Five conductive plates were identified, including two Priority-1 targets at depths of 53 to 55 metres with high conductance values. These may indicate parallel zones of hidden mineralisation akin to the Oval body.
Meanwhile, in the West Area, three FLEM plates have been identified along a low-resistivity zone mapped by gradient array IP surveys. These targets lie between 64 and 113 metres deep, coinciding with structurally controlled magnetic highs. Further EM surveys will test their validity and potential.
Next steps: drilling, DHEM and metallurgical results ahead
Asian Battery Metals will restart drilling and downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys in August.
Additional FLEM and moving-loop EM (MLEM) surveys with revised configurations will continue through mid-August. The company is also processing detailed ground magnetics for MS2, and initial metallurgical test results from the Oval discovery are expected during August.
The continued integration of geological, magnetic and EM datasets is expected to refine high-confidence targets and advance the company’s flagship Oval discovery and wider Yambat Project in Mongolia.