St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has started drilling new massive sulphide nickel-copper targets at the Mt Alexander project in the northeast of Western Australia’s Goldfields.
The first phase of the nickel-focused explorer’s new program is focused on drill testing five new electromagnetic (EM) conductors at the Investigators prospect.
These targets were identified from downhole EM (DHEM) surveys in recently completed drill holes.
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Executive chairman John Prineas said: “The conductors at Investigators are excellent targets for massive nickel-copper sulphides and drilling success could see a sizeable extension to the strike of mineralisation.”
The first EM conductor to be drilled will be MAD98: X1, which is modelled with a very strong conductivity of 67,000 Siemens.
It is down-dip from a nickel-copper sulphide intersection in hole MAD60 of 5.3 metres at 4.95% nickel, 2.75% copper, 0.16% cobalt and 4.55 g/t total PGEs from 157.9 metres.
Prineas said: “The MAD98:X1 conductor will, if confirmed as nickel-copper sulphides, extend the down dip strike of nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation on the MAD60 section to an impressive 320 metres.
”Drilling has started on a single shift basis, ramping up to a double shift over the weekend and continuing on a 24/7 basis.
“We look forward to announcing initial results over the coming days.”
A plan view of Investigators prospect with drill hole collar locations.
Cathedrals conductor to be drilled
In addition to these five conductors, a strong off-hole conductor will be drilled at the Cathedrals prospect.
This was identified from a DHEM survey completed in MAD102 that was drilled earlier this year.
The conductor may represent a 35-metre down plunge, northwest extension of known mineralisation and is one of the deepest conductors to be tested to date at Cathedrals.
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Mt Alexander comprises five granted exploration licences and is 120 kilometres south-southwest of the Agnew-Wiluna Belt, which hosts numerous world-class nickel deposits.
The Cathedrals, Investigators and Stricklands nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE discoveries are on an exploration licence held in joint venture by St George and Western Areas Ltd (ASX:WSA).
St George has 75% of this JV and is project manager with Western Areas retaining a 25% non-contributing interest until there is a decision to mine.