Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) has delivered another strong set of drill assays from the Oval copper-nickel-platinum group elements (PGE) project in Mongolia, extending the mineralised footprint and continuing a pattern of consistent sulphide hits across multiple holes.
The latest results come from Batch 4 of the current Phase 3 drilling program and confirm that mineralisation at Oval remains open along strike and down-dip, with step-out drilling expanding the system to the northwest and southeast.
The Phase 3 program is targeting both the depth potential of Oval and additional conductors defined by downhole and fixed-loop electromagnetic (EM) surveys. Several of the new intercepts correlate with modelled conductive plates, adding confidence to the company’s geophysical targeting.
Phase-3 drilling program. Drillhole locations on Reduced to Pole (RTP) Magnetic map.
“These latest assay results reinforce our confidence that Oval hosts a significant copper-nickel sulphide system,” managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said. “The drilling extends the mineralised footprint beyond previous drilling, with consistent sulphide hits across multiple holes. Based on these results, we’re looking forward to testing additional priority target areas and extension along the trend.”
Standout intercepts extend Oval mineralisation
Several holes returned broad sulphide intervals, including disseminated, semi-massive and massive zones.
OVD042 extended the mineralised zone 30 metres northwest of earlier drilling, returning:
- 68.3 metres at 0.22% Cu, 0.24% Ni, 0.06 g/t PGE from 0.6 metres; and
- 9.2 metres at 0.59% Cu, 0.45% Ni, 0.2 g/t PGE from 68.9 metres, including a narrow massive sulphide interval of 0.12 metres at 2.54% Cu and 3.53% Ni.
OVD043, targeting a gossan at the surface, hit near-surface high-grade mineralisation:
- 19.1 metres at 0.66% Cu, 0.65% Ni, 0.25 g/t PGE from 2.1 metres, including 4.4 metres at 1.42% Cu and 1.29% Ni.
OVD046 confirmed the mineralised system continues 29 metres to the southeast, returning 34 metres at 0.24% Cu, 0.26% Ni, 0.09 g/t PGE from 153 metres.
Long section of OVD041, OVD042, OVD043, OVD044 and OVD046.
Multiple holes intersected sulphides where EM plates had been modelled, reinforcing the relationship between conductor response and mineralisation. EM plates below OVD046 indicate potential for thicker or higher-grade sulphide zones below current drilling.
One scout hole (SC08) and two additional holes testing smaller magnetic and EM targets did not return significant mineralisation, but the company says these provided useful geological and geophysical constraints for follow-up work.
Building scale across a broader critical minerals footprint
Oval forms part of Asian Battery Metals’ wider Mongolian critical minerals portfolio, where the company has been steadily adding scale. Earlier drilling across the Yambat project area has already expanded copper-nickel sulphide mineralisation at neighbouring targets, while new massive sulphide intersections reported at the Maikhan Uul copper-gold VMS project point to additional discovery potential beyond Oval.
Read more: Asian Battery Metals confirms further massive sulphide at Maikhan Uul
Investor support has been strong, with the company recently securing $6 million in equity funding to accelerate drilling and metallurgical test work across its priority targets.
Read more: Asian Battery Metals raises $6 million to advance Mongolian critical minerals portfolio
With Oval now returning both broad mineralised zones and high-grade nickel-copper intervals, ABM is continuing to advance what it interprets as a fertile magmatic sulphide system — one that remains open in multiple directions.
What’s next
Asian Battery Metals expects a steady cadence of news over the coming weeks. Upcoming milestones include:
- Remaining Batch 5 assays from Oval (due within one week, subject to QA/QC),
- Completion of metallurgical testing this month,
- Due diligence assay results from Maikhan Uul within two weeks, and
- Continued drilling of additional EM targets and step-outs along the Oval trend.
The company says all results to date support continued growth of the mineralised system, with drilling now focused on identifying potential higher-grade sulphide zones at depth and along strike.
Asian Battery Metals holds 100% of its Mongolian critical minerals projects, including Oval (Cu-Ni-PGE), Copper Ridge (Cu-Au), Maikhan Uul, Bayan Sair, Khukh Tag (graphite) and Tsagaan Ders (lithium).
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