Auroch Minerals Ltd (ASX:AOU) has immediately moved to diamond drilling after a high-powered ground MLEM survey initiated last week identified a large EM conductor at the Nepean Nickel Project JV in Western Australia.
This conductor has been modelled at 250 metres below the surface, about 1 kilometre to the south of the historic high-grade Nepean nickel mine.
The moderate-high strength of the modelled conductor is in the range of 4,000-8,000S, which is typical of conductive bodies such as semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralisation.
Diamond drilling will test the high potential target starting with a 350-400 metre hole designed to intercept the modelled conductive plate at a down-hole depth of around 290 to 300 metres.
“Exceeded all expectations”
Auroch managing director Aidan Platel said: “The effectiveness of the ground MLEM survey in detecting such a quality high-potential drill target so early in the survey has exceeded all expectations.
“Given the lack of historical drilling along the 10 kilometres of the potential strike from the high-grade Nepean nickel mine, we have always believed that the systematic application of modern geophysical and exploration techniques would have great potential to lead to significant new nickel sulphide discoveries.
“As such, the identified EM conductor is a compelling drill target for us and will be tested immediately with a diamond drill program.
“Parallel to this, the MLEM survey will continue as scheduled over the critical areas of the Nepean strike and will be completed within the next fortnight.
“We look forward to seeing what other conductive bodies it may uncover.”
The project
Nepean project is operated under the company’s 80:20 JV agreement with Lodestar Minerals Ltd (ASX:LSR).
The modelled conductor is in an area that has been poorly tested by drilling at depth, however, a historic drill hole 50 metres to the north intercepted disseminated nickel sulphides within an ultramafic unit.
This adds further support to the potential that the conductive plate may represent nickel sulphide mineralisation.
The company plans to drill to about 50 metres past the basal footwall contact with the underlying basalt unit, to provide an adequate depth for follow-up down-hole EM (DHEM) surveys to test for extensions and/or additional conductive bodies at depth.
Exploration update
Nickel sulphide exploration work programs are scheduled for the next 4-6 weeks including:
- High-powered ground MLEM survey to test critical areas of the 10 kilometres of the prospective strike of the Nepean ultramafics – underway;
- Diamond drill program testing high-priority EM targets – underway;
- The second phase of RC drilling to test geochemical and geophysical targets along the Nepean strike – commencing late May-June;
- Diamond drill program at the Woodwind and Percussion prospects of the Leinster Nickel Project – underway;
- DHEM surveys of completed diamond drill-holes at Woodwind & Percussion in Leinster – underway; and
- RC drill program at the Woodwind, String, Brass and Firefly prospects of the Leinster Nickel Project – commencing mid-May.