Amur Minerals’ (LON:AMC) in-fill drilling at its nickel/copper Kun-Manie prospect in Far East Russia has indicated a high grade area extends further than previously thought.
Three in-fill holes drilled so far at Maly Kurumkon/Flangovy (MKF), the first zones likely to be mined, returned intersections 63m thick grading 0.83% nickel.
As a result, the high grade zone has increased to 2.2km total length from 1.8km and Amur now believes the MKF Inferred resource may be 'substantially understated'.
“A significant upgrade to the 3.4 million tonne Inferred resource is expected as the resource model presently has a much thinner true thickness of 12 metres and lower average contained grades of 0.55% nickel and 0.16% copper.”
Robin Young, Amur’s chief executive, said the drill programme was well ahead of schedule as well as providing an in-fill 'bonus'.
“Drilling within the current Inferred resource area indicates that the future resource update in this area will be substantially larger with regard to the contained tonnage of ore and at higher nickel and copper grades.
“We intend to complete drilling in this area with about another seven holes at which time, we will have drilled out the western extent of the Maly Kurumkon / Flangovy at its western limits.
“Our focus is now shifting to metallurgical drilling to obtain the large bulk sample for flowsheet, plant and furnace design to generate a Low Grade Matte."