Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN) has identified priority targets from its geophysical survey, geological mapping and rock chip sampling programs for upcoming drilling at The Bull Project, 20 kilometres from the world-class Julimar nickel-copper-PGE deposit in Western Australia.
The company’s stage 1 drilling program will focus on priority areas 1, 2 and 3, which will be drilled to a depth of 200 metres from west to east at a 60-degree angle to maximise the potential intersection of the targeted anomalous ultramafic units.
Notably, the three high priority drill targets were determined based on the interpreted magnetic anomaly, the observation of both mafic and ultramafic rock units and the visible sulphides in some samples collected.
Mafic-ultramafic intrusive interpretation
Drone Mage RTP image at the Bull Project showing proposed drill hole locations.
Anson completed exploration programs to 'ground truth' the mafic-ultramafic intrusive interpretation and collect some rock chip samples from the project area.
Samples were collected from outcrop and sub-crop from topographic highs. Other areas within the tenement comprise paddocks with little to no outcrop, but float and sub-crop were observed.
This showed that though historically mapped as migmatites and granites, the magnetic anomalies identified in the geophysical surveys may be a part of a mafic-ultramafic intrusive system, similar to the Julimar deposit discovered by Chalice Mining Ltd.
Furthermore, Anson conducted a Fixed Loop Electromagnetic (FLEM) survey to assist in refining drill targets while visible sulphides were also noted in a sample collected on the western edge of the 3D model consistent with geology and mineralisation targeted by the FLEM.
Additional drill targets
Plan showing priority drill targets over a TMI image.
From the reprocessed geophysical data, it was interpreted that there is a large layered intrusive complex that envelopes targets 1, 2 and 3.
There may be non-magnetic or reversely magnetised zones to this interpreted intrusive system that are not fully understood with the existing historical data.
This may suggest that fewer magnetic areas within the complex could also be prospective, as has been interpreted at the Julimar high-grade discovery.
Further drilling programs will be developed to target these areas after assessing the results of the stage 1 priority 1 & 2 drilling program
The Bull Project
A regional TMI showing the ovoid-shaped anomalies of the Julimar, Newleyline and the Bull Projects.
The Bull Project, which lies around 20 kilometres south of the Julimar Project, is interpreted as a layered intrusive complex on the western edge of the Yilgarn Craton.
The anomaly is an ovoid-shaped, relatively discrete and strongly magnetic target that is along strike of the Julimar high-grade discovery.
Encouragingly, the Julimar mineralisation, which remains open in all directions, could point to a regional scale discovery, including The Bull Project area.
Based upon the presence of similar magnetic signatures and the lack of the previous exploration, it is considered that The Bull Project is highly prospective for nickel-copper-PGE, as it could host extensions or repeat of similar orebodies discovered at Julimar.