Si6 Metals Ltd (ASX:SI6) has identified numerous new, strong multiple anomalies at the Maibele Project in Botswana following the completion of 20 square kilometres of detailed Gradient Array Induced Polarisation (IP) surveying.
The company continues to target additional nickel, copper, cobalt, PGE and silver mineralisation at the project.
During December 2020, Si6 Metals completed 20 square kilometres of Gradient Array IP surveying at the Airstrip and Dibete prospects and continued deep drilling at its advanced prospects within the Botswana portfolio.
The program has made steady progress, with results from geophysical surveying now available and diamond drilling progressing to over 320 metres depth.
“Multiple anomalies present”
Si6 Metals chairman Patrick Holywell said: “The results achieved from the IP studies carried out over the Airstrip and Dibete prospects demonstrate that multiple significant anomalies are present and very much put us on the front foot to continue with a successful 2021 program in Botswana.
“Whilst Anomaly 1 at Airstrip demonstrates high chargeability zones extending along strike towards the Maibele North nickel-copper-PGE orebody, Anomaly 2 is an entirely new exploration target representing the strong potential to contain both Airstrip-style high-grade copper-silver mineralisation as well as Maibele North-style mineralisation.
“Both anomalies show much prospectivity and we look forward to providing continual updates as we further progress our 2021 exploration program in Botswana.”
Ground geophysics
Initial results from the Gradient Array IP survey completed by the company across the Airstrip copper-silver and Dibete copper-silver prospects are now available.
The survey, which was designed to test for deep sulphide bodies that are potentially ‘feeding’ the high-grade mineralisation observed close to the surface, covered over 20 square kilometres at 100 metres line-spacing across the two prospects.
Results are very encouraging and show strong chargeability responses that are often coincident with elevated copper levels in soil sampling and, in some cases, high-grade copper and silver mineralisation in drill holes.
It has resulted in the generation of multiple copper-silver and nickel-copper-PGE targets.
Follow-up geophysics and percussion drilling are planned during the current quarter.
Drilling update
A 550-metre-deep hole targeting deep nickel sulphide mineralisation had progressed to about 320 metres before Christmas.
The drill crew has re-mobilised to site and will continue on a 24-hour, double shift roster to ensure timely completion of the hole with the main target expected at around 400 metres to 500 metres downhole.
Maibele North nickel sulphide mineralisation is related to ultramafic intrusions within mobile belt rocks and is broadly similar in style to other ultramafic intrusion-related mobile belt nickel discoveries such as Nova-Bollinger (ASX:IGO) and Julimar (ASX:CHN).