St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has the drill bit spinning as it targets nickel-copper sulphides at Mt Alexander project in the north-eastern Goldfields of WA.
Diamond drilling is underway on a continuous 24-hour basis with more than 6,000 metres planned.
Additional targets are expected to be added to the program as results from ongoing electromagnetic (EM) surveys are reviewed.
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St George executive chairman Jon Prineas said: “With many high priority EM targets to test, this is the most exciting drill program we have launched at Mt Alexander to date.
“Many of the EM conductors to be drilled represent a large step-out from known massive sulphide mineralisation, so there is excellent potential for this program to significantly extend the footprint of high-grade nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.
“In addition, ongoing EM surveys are identifying new targets in underexplored areas of the Cathedrals Belt – providing further support to the emerging large-scale mineral potential at Mt Alexander.”
Diamond drilling EM conductors
The first three EM conductors scheduled for drilling are at the Investigators prospect with electrical signatures that are consistent with massive nickel-copper sulphides.
This is in an area of the Cathedrals Belt where all EM conductors tested by drilling to date have been confirmed to be nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.
The first EM conductor represents a large step-out to the known mineralised zone and has a strike length of 30 metres and conductivity of 82,000 siemens.
A drill-hole underway is modelled to intersect the EM conductor at 200 metres down-hole.
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Extensive EM surveys are ongoing and a high-powered fixed loop EM (FLEM) survey has just been completed over the northern section of Cathedrals Belt, where ultramafic units are interpreted to extend down-dip to the north and northwest.
This area has potential to host a continuation of high-grade mineralisation at depth in the down-dip direction.
The FLEM survey has recorded several anomalous responses which are being reviewed and interpreted by Newexco in conjunction with previous EM data for this area.
Close spaced follow-up MLEM surveys will be used to help refine the modelling and drill targets for this are expected to be added to the drill program underway.
Moving loop EM survey in progress
A moving loop EM (MLEM) survey is in progress, covering areas outside current zones of known nickel-copper mineralisation.
The MLEM survey will utilise traditional and Slingram configurations – the latter uses a sensor inside and outside of the survey loop, which results in the effects of paleo-drainage and cover being minimised.
This survey will be extended to the Fish Hook prospect, where a nickel-copper sulphide anomaly has been identified with a magnetic feature that is interpreted to represent mineralised ultramafics.
These positive early exploration results warrant immediate follow-up and the MLEM survey has been fast tracked accordingly.