Amur Minerals (LON:AMC) expects to upgrade the resource at its Kun-Manie deposit in Far East Russia after further drilling confirmed it extended further than anticipated.
Last week, Amur said a step out hole 400 metres (m) from its main deposit at the Flangovy target indicated the nickel strike extended that far.
A subsequent in-fill hole 80m north east of that hole had now returned an average nickel grade of 0.7% and copper of 0.2%.
While less than the step out hole (C306), the potential of the zone was not fully tested said Amur, which added it has also resumed in-fill drilling over a 250m long zone at the east end of Flangovy.
Analysis of two of four in-fill holes indicated an average mineralised thickness per hole of 34.1m containing 0.8% nickel and 0.2% copper.
That was a strong correlation with previous results and likely to see inferred resources converted to indicated, Amur said.
Robin Young, chief executive, said: “Confirmation that the Flangovy deposit is likely to be at least 400 metres longer should add substantially to the resource inventory of Kun-Manie.
“With the in-fill programme underway and results confirming our original drill results, we also look forward to a reclassification of the resource at Flangovy.
“Here we anticipate a substantial upgrade in our Indicated resource class which means these can potentially be fully converted into reserves suitable for a Definitive Feasibility Study.”