Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) has restarted drilling at its flagship Oval copper-nickel-platinum group elements (Cu-Ni-PGE) discovery in Mongolia, with eight holes (totalling 1,017.5 metres) completed under Phase 3. Encouraging intersections from holes OVD041, OVD042 and OVD046 confirm thick down-dip extensions of known mineralisation, while follow-up downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys have defined new conductive targets.
Drilling will continue through September 2025, focusing on untested DHEM plates and newly modelled fixed-loop electromagnetic (FLEM) conductors across the broader Yambat Project. Phase 4 will also include scout drilling at Quartz Hill and MS2, plus further due diligence at the Maikhan Uul Cu-Au project.
Location plan map of drillholes, DHEM plates, and FLEM plates.
“Oval is shaping up as one of the exciting copper-nickel discoveries. The conductors we see from surface to depth correlate well around the Oval intrusive area,” AZ9 managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said.
“Guided by the modern geophysical tools and a growing understanding of what’s working in our exploration approach, we’re encouraged by recent drilling. We’re excited to shift the rigs to new high-priority areas at MS1, MS2, Quartz Hill and Maikhan Uul over the coming weeks. We are confident the upcoming drilling will further define the size and quality of this system.”
Assay results expected from recent drilling at Oval are due within three to four weeks.
Current program expands known mineralisation at Oval
AZ9’s Phase 3 diamond drilling has confirmed continuity of mineralisation within the Oval intrusion. Drillhole OVD042 intersected 89.6 metres of mineralised mafic–ultramafic rock from near surface, including a 0.12-metre zone of massive sulphide. This extends known mineralisation 23 metres to the northwest.
Drillhole OVD046 intercepted 47 metres of trace to moderately disseminated sulphides in olivine gabbro and hornblende peridotite. The hole supports the southeastward continuation of the Oval intrusion. A DHEM plate identified northeast of the hole reinforces the potential for a deeper, mineralised extension.
OVD043 and OVD030a targeted the oxidised gossan area and historical mineralisation zones, respectively. Although no downhole plates were intersected, the follow-up DHEM survey at OVD043 returned a new conductor plate, OVD043-Mid_B, warranting further investigation.
North Oval drilling confirms geophysical model
At the North Oval prospect, drillhole OVD041 intersected 25 metres of mineralised taxitic gabbro between 89 and 114.1 metres, confirming the interpreted FLEM conductors. The mineralisation is considered an extension of the zone intersected in OVD036. Follow-up drilling is planned southeast of this intercept.
OVD044 tested a shallow plate and intercepted a semi-massive sulphide zone at 17.1 metres, though the deeper plate was not intersected. A DHEM survey will help define continuation targets.
Scout drillhole SC08, positioned on the far western margin, did not intersect significant mineralisation, though the source of conductivity remains under review.
Exploration strategy targets district-scale discovery
Asian Battery Metals is using a systematic geophysics-led strategy across the southern Mongolian copper-nickel belt. High-grade sulphide intercepts at Oval provide proof-of-concept for applying its geophysical targeting model across a broader pipeline, including the recently acquired Bayan Sair and Maikhan Uul tenements.
FLEM surveys have now covered 20 loops (400 x 400 metres), seven loops (1,000 x 600 metres), and two larger loops (1,500 x 1,500 metres), with additional moving-loop EM surveys underway. Thirty-seven conductive plates have been modelled, with only seven tested to date. Results from coincident loops have been particularly promising.
Assays from the latest drilling are expected within three to four weeks. Initial metallurgical testing is ongoing.