Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR) has completed petrography analysis that confirmed several nickel sulphide mineral types at Hilditch West nickel target, 25 kilometres from BHP’s Kambalda Nickel Operation in Western Australia.
Following the intersection of multiple nickel sulphides zones at Hilditch West, petrographic analysis was undertaken by Mintex Petrological Solutions to determine the key nickel-bearing mineralogy to advance geological understanding.
Importantly, the study confirms the identification of several sulphide mineral types including pentlandite (nickel sulphide), nickeliferous pyrite (iron sulphide containing nickel), gersdorffite (nickel arsenic sulphide), pyrrhotite (iron sulphide – can contain minor nickel), sphalerite (zinc sulphide), chalcopyrite and covellite (copper sulphides).
Location of Hilditch West and proximity to BHP Kambalda Nickel Concentrator.
Previous drill results
Maximus’ maiden RC drill program at Hilditch West intersected multiple zones of encouraging shallow nickel-copper-cobalt intersections including:
- 5 metres at 1.2% nickel, 0.23% copper, 0.08% cobalt from 43 metres and 2 metres at 1.5% nickel, 0.03% copper from 87 metres and 19 metres at 0.4% nickel, 0.1% copper, 2.4g/t silver from 107 metres; and
- 12 metres at 0.5% nickel, 0.06% cobalt from 18 metres, including 2 metres at 0.8% nickel, 0.2% copper, 0.06% cobalt from 21 metres.
Nickel mineralisation was intersected within a shear zone and is considered to be remobilised from ultramafics deeper in the stratigraphy.
The potential source was identified by a nearby late-time conductor which will be drill tested in the coming weeks.
Hilditch EM anomaly
Cross polarised light photomicrograph of sample SL1196 (x10) illustrating fuchsite mica with a preferred orientation (deformation fabric) around opaque zinc-rich chromite in fine-grained quartz matrix.
Nickel sulphide minerals observed through the petrology analysis are consistent with the sulphides that are observed in Kambalda-style nickel deposits.
Intersected mineralisation at Hilditch West occurs as disseminated and fracture-fill sulphides occurring along an interpreted district-scale shear zone.
Maximus had completed a ground-based EM geophysics survey following a maiden RC drill program which defined a strong, shallow EM conductor plate at 9,000 Siemens located north of the nickel-copper-cobalt intercepts at Hilditch West.
This magnetic anomaly is spatially coincident with the modelled conductor plate, which is encouraging given that concentrations of pyrrhotite (magnetic) are typical of Kambalda-style komatiite hosted nickel-sulphide deposits.
Reflected light photomicrograph of sample SL1307 (x10) showing pyrite grain replaced by pentlandite.
Forward plan
The Hilditch West nickel target remains a priority target for Maximus given anomalous nickel intersections, confirmed nickel sulphide mineralogy and the proximal conductor which has not been adequately tested by legacy drilling.
Looking forward, the Hilditch EM anomaly will be drill tested in the upcoming multi-target diamond drill program.