BlackEarth Minerals NL (ASX:BEM) has started a regional scale detailed airborne electromagnetic (AEM) at its 100% owned Donnelly River Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Metals (Ni-Cu-PGM) Project around 240 kilometres south of Perth, Western Australia.
The Donnelly River Project is adjoining the Thor and Odin Ni-Cu-PGM Prospects, recently identified by Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN) (OCTMKTS:CGMLF) and Venture Minerals Ltd (ASX:VMS) (OCTMKTS:VTMLF) at their South West joint-venture.
The AEM survey will cover the entirety of E70/4825, which covers 80 square kilometres area and will be flown on 200 metres line spacing for a total of 390-line kilometres, and will provide key information across the entire project.
“Delighted with early-stage results”
BlackEarth managing director Tom Revy said: “The team at BlackEarth are delighted with the initial, early-stage results of work conducted at our prospective Donnelly River projects.
“Their proximity to the Thor and Odin sites, held by Chalice and Venture Minerals, along with our initial positive results, give us a degree of confidence that further exploration could yield some interesting results.
“We also see this activity as complementary to our downstream graphite processing business plans to eventually build a business with a substantial interest in critical minerals – all-important in meeting the growing demand for EV’s and clean energy and battery technology.”
Key details of the survey
The survey will be undertaken by UTS Geophysics using a VTEM Max Time Domain EM system and will include;
- The survey will cover the entirety of E70/4825 and will be flown on 200 metres line spacing for a total of 390-line kilometre;
- The survey will provide key information across the entire project with particular interest focused on the 3 anomalous magnetic and geochemical trends previously reported ;
- The results of the survey will then be assessed and interpreted by the company’s geophysical consultants followed by further tailored programs of ground-based exploration activities;
- The VTEM plan is a first-time systematic program of exploration for Nickel-Copper- Platinum in this region; and
- The company anticipates the survey can be completed and results analysed within the next 4-6 weeks.
Planned future activity
The planned VTEM activity and follow up review work will take around 4 – 6 weeks and involve work done by company executives and leading consultants, highly experienced in the development of Nickel-Copper-Platinum projects.
Following the initial review, BlackEarth plans to develop a detailed drill and exploration program which, ideally, will take place in the second quarter of 2021 with preliminary results and feedback by mid-year.