Havilah Resources Ltd (ASX:HAV) has received strong surface sampling results of up to 5,950 ppm cobalt from the Mutooroo Cobalt District in South Australia near the mining centre of Broken Hill.
Regional reconnaissance surface sampling has defined several promising new prospects that have never been drilled.
Five new copper-cobalt prospects have been confirmed, with follow-up sampling underway to define drill targets and identify additional targets.
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The sampling has identified a potential southern extension to the Mutooroo copper-cobalt-gold deposit.
Havilah’s CEO Walter Richards said: “We are excited about the developing broader regional copper-cobalt exploration potential of the Mutooroo Cobalt District, as provided by the tangible evidence of these exceptional surface sampling results.
“Early indications are looking positive for additional discoveries to add to the already significant existing copper-cobalt-gold resource at Mutooroo.”
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Results have highlighted several significant surface cobalt-copper anomalies with potentially the highest surface cobalt values ever recorded in the district.
Mutooroo area prospects on a total magnetic intensity aeromagnetic image.
This reinforces Havilah’s long-held belief in the prospectivity for major copper-cobalt discoveries within its extensive landholding in north-eastern South Australia.
The sampling is being carried out in conjunction with ongoing compilation and analysis of previous exploration conducted over the last 50 years, sourced from open file reports.
At least 14 areas identified
This work has highlighted at least 14 areas with strongly anomalous cobalt results that were not previously followed up due to limited interest in cobalt at the time.
Historical exploration included a 1990s program of ironstone sampling for copper-lead-zinc Broken Hill style deposits, which returned some high cobalt results up to 5,900 ppm or 0.59%.
In the majority of cases, Havilah’s recent first pass reconnaissance surface sampling of the prospects has validated the high cobalt and associated copper results.
99 samples collected
There were 99 samples collected by Havilah geologists at the 14 prospects along with some opportunistic sampling of ironstone where encountered.
Of these four samples were greater than 2,500 ppm cobalt, 23 greater than 1,000 ppm, 37 greater than 500 ppm and 48 in excess of 250 ppm.
The highest individual assay of 5,950 ppm, or 0.60%, cobalt was at the Taipan prospect.
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Richards said: “The patient accumulation of exploration tenements over the years is now reaping the rewards in revealing many new opportunities to expand our copper-cobalt resource base as the present sampling results show.
“Given these results, Havilah’s track record of exploration success, and our in-house exploration expertise, we will continue to focus on this highly prospective area with an expanded exploration program targeting copper-cobalt prospects.”
First-ever cobalt targeted exploration
Havilah is conducting the first-ever cobalt targeted exploration campaign in this highly endowed 720 square kilometre copper-cobalt district.
The company is focused on infill sampling of the newly defined high-priority targets of Sidewinder, Taipan, Viper and Mutooroo South.
Reconnaissance sampling is also being carried out at the as yet untested targets of Scorpion Trend and Cobra in order to advance the targets to drill testing status.
Three sampling teams are in the field under the supervision of an experienced Havilah geologist, who has a distinguished track record of exploration success.
Plans are being developed to expand the exploration program and accelerate the Mutooroo project scope of work.