St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has identified a highly anomalous nickel-copper soil anomaly in an unexplored area at the flagship Mt Alexander Project in Western Australia through a recent soil geochemical survey.
Assays received to date warrant follow-up drilling after returning highly anomalous values for nickel, copper, and chromium, including:
- Consistent nickel values >200ppm nickel over a 1,600-metre strike length with peak values of 544ppm nickel;
- Consistent copper values >50ppm copper over a 1,600-metre strike length with peak values of 97ppm copper; and
- Consistent chromium values >400ppm chromium over a 1,600-metre strike length with peak values of 810ppm chromium.
The identified soil anomaly has a strike of more than 1,600 metres, with assay values for nickel and copper exceeding those observed in soil surveys at the nickel-copper sulphide-bearing Cathedrals Belt.
Values are “higher than anything we have seen at Cathedrals Belt”
Speaking to the results, St George executive chairman John Prineas said: “The peak soil values at E29/1041 are coincident with the strong magnetic features and provide a compelling target for potential nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.
“These anomalous soil values are higher than anything we have seen at the Cathedrals Belt, where a number of high-grade nickel-copper sulphide discoveries have already been made.
“The drill rig currently engaged at our Paterson Project has another two weeks’ work to do there before it will be mobilised to Mt Alexander to begin drilling on E29/1041 – at the newly named Carnac Prospect.”
Soil geochemical survey at Carnac prospect
The shape and distribution of the anomalous soil values match the shape of the magnetic trend, further supporting the interpretation that the magnetic feature may represent a fertile intrusive unit similar to the highly mineralised Cathedrals Belt.
The orientation soil survey was designed to investigate the magnetic trends for the presence of intrusive units and any associated nickel-copper mineralisation.
To date, 465 soil samples have been collected with a further 533 samples planned for collection. Samples are being submitted for laboratory assaying for a suite of 30 elements.
Fieldwork ramp-up
Prineas added: “That success has encouraged us to ramp up fieldwork across the broader Mt Alexander tenement package and we are delighted that our systematic exploration on this 100%-owned tenure – where there has been no previous exploration – has already identified some exciting opportunities.”
Several priority targets have been defined at Carnac based on our interpretation of the results of the soil survey in conjunction with the high-resolution magnetic data.
An aircore/reverse circulation drill program has been designed to test these targets and will kick off in mid to late August.
A program of works for drilling at E29/1041 has been approved by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.