Maximus Resources Limited (ASX:MXR) (FRA:M5F) has begun drilling at the highly prospective Wattle Dam East nickel target within its Spargoville tenements, 25 kilometres from BHP Group Ltd’s (ASX:BHP) (NYSE:BHP) Kambalda Nickel Concentrator.
A large conductor in the order of 6000-8000 Siemens has been modelled from 150 metres below surface and dipping moderately to the west.
This conductor occurs within prospective stratigraphy along strike from other regional players.
Highly prospective stratigraphy
The company is encouraged by the discrete conductor occurring within laterally continuous prospective stratigraphy.
Ultramafic rocks that host sulphide nickel mineralisation in the Spargoville-Mt Edwards corridor characteristically have north-northwest strike and dip west at 55-75 degrees, as observed at Neometals Ltd’s (ASX:NMT) (OTCMKTS:RRSSF) (FRA:9R9) Zabel nickel deposit which is around 900 metres to the south, and at Estrella Resources Ltd (ASX:ESR) Andrews Shaft nickel mine, around 1,300 metres to the north.
The modelled conductance of the Wattle Dam East anomaly can be typical of sulphide occurrences; but this is dependent on sulphide abundance, mineralogy and texture.
Regional nickel sulphide mineralisation
The presence of a late-time conductor and discrete spatial extent of the EM anomaly is encouraging for a blind nickel-sulphide target.
Nickel sulphide mineralisation in the Kambalda area is related to ultramafic komatiite lava extrusion and mineralisation is hosted both within komatiite and at the basal contact with underlying basalts.
Recent greenfield nickel discoveries in the area include Mincor Resources NL (ASX:MCR) (OTCMKTS:MCRZF) (FRA:MV3) Cassini Nickel Deposit with an ore reserve of 1.05 million tonnes grading 3.3% nickel.
Diamond drill program
The EM anomaly will be tested by a single diamond drill hole at the centre of the modelled conductor, at around 400 metres below surface.
Drilling at Wattle Dam East is expected to be completed by late February 2021 with assay results provided as received.