Moho Resources Ltd (ASX:MOH) has pinpointed three highly prospective nickel targets that warrant further exploration at its Silver Swan North Project in Western Australia.
The Omrah, Wise and Dukes targets represent three distinct nickel exploration opportunities, uncovered following a historical data review over the 55-square-kilometre nickel asset.
Featuring an untested electromagnetic conductor, prospective nickel lithologies and anomalous levels of nickel in soil, the ASX-lister’s newest exploration targets present a wide range of follow-up opportunities at Silver Swan North.
Moho intends to pursue these high-priority targets with drilling and electromagnetic surveying programs, with two drill rigs poised to hit the site in early November.
“Proximity to Poseidon Nickel deposits”
Speaking to the target generation, Moho managing director Shane Sadleir said: “We are excited by the potential for discovery of nickel sulphide mineralisation at the Omrah, Wise and Dukes targets, particularly given their close proximity to Poseidon Nickel Ltd (ASX:POS, OTC:PSDNF, FRA:NYG1)’s massive and disseminated nickel sulphide deposits.
“Strong nickel prices and a positive market outlook for nickel have encouraged Moho to intensify our search for nickel and associated battery metals.
“We are looking forward to drill testing these prospective nickel targets in the near future.”
Target practice
Omrah: an untested electromagnetic conductor
The first exploration prospect on Moho’s list, the Omrah target, has endured electromagnetic fieldwork across multiple generations.
A 2006 survey first hinted at the target’s conductive body — which indicates it could be prospective for nickel mineralisation — and electromagnetic surveying in 2008 further confirmed its location.
Fast forward to 2016, when Moho completed another survey line and drafted a geophysicist to give the target a closer look.
The consultant confirmed the presence of a 500-metre-long conductor, which strikes southeast and dips roughly 70 degrees to the northeast.
While the ground at Omrah has seen many surveys over the years, it’s yet to encounter a drill rig.
To remedy this, Moho intends to turn the soil with a combination of reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling.
Wise: prospective nickel lithologies
Just a little way north at the Wise target, Moho has honed in on prospective nickel lithologies thanks to rotary air blast (RAB) and RC drilling.
However, the target’s major anomaly sits to the east of recent activity, meaning it’s yet to be comprehensively drill tested.
Nickel lithologies at wise first cropped up during an RC expedition in 2007, when nickel values up to 1% were identified in the target’s ultramafic clays.
Importantly, the profile of Wise’s ultramafic rocks bears some similarities to those found at Poseidon Nickel’s nearby Silver Swan and Black Swan deposits.
Moho intends to further explore the target’s lithologies with RC drilling.
It will also carry out ground-based electromagnetic surveys to pinpoint new areas for drill testing.
Dukes: anomalous levels of nickel in soil
Finally, at the Northernmost Dukes target, Moho is honing in on prospective nickel mineralisation in the soil.
The explorer uncovered the anomalous nickel values after it reinterpreted data from a 2020 soil sampling program, which took place over two of Silver Swan North’s exploration tenements.
To get a better sense of the nickel mineralisation, the explorer is planning an aircore drilling and ground-based surveying program, with the former activity slated to commence in the first half of 2022.
Within Dukes, several mineralised zones, grading at more than 100 parts per million nickel, are dotted across a broad anomalous zone that runs for around 3 kilometres.
In the past, as much as 2460, 1150 and 951 ppm nickel have been returned, with these anomalies coinciding with an interpreted ultramafic rock unit.
As with the Wise target, this kind of geology could be similar to that found at other famed nickel deposits in the region.
Where to?
With its game plan now mapped out, Moho has sent its program of work applications to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
If granted, the approvals will see the ASX-lister turn the soil across all three nickel targets in the near future.
An RC and aircore drill rig should arrive on-site in early November, while a diamond rig is expected to hit the ground shortly thereafter.
In summary, Moho’s next steps include:
- RC and diamond drilling at the Omrah nickel target;
- RC drill testing at the Wise nickel target;
- A ground electromagnetic survey at Dukes to better define the target;
- Aircore drilling across the Dukes nickel target; and
- Soil sampling across untested prospective geology.