Legend Mining Ltd (ASX:LEG) flagship Mawson nickel-copper-cobalt prospect intrusion has been extended to the northeast, intersecting mineralised intrusion as well as defining the architecture of the Mawson intrusion in relation to the country rock.
Data gathered at Mawson within the Rockford Project in Western Australia's Fraser Range will greatly increase Legend's knowledge of the intrusion, which has been increased from around 400 metres strike to 1,600 metres.
The current interpretation is that there is a “keel” to the intrusion, which extends below 500 metres and the seismic survey has been designed to see plus 1,000 metres.
Geological, structural and geochemical datasets will be combined with seismic, gravity, magnetic and DHTEM datasets to design its 2022 diamond drill program to test targets for massive nickel-copper sulphide accumulation.
The diamond rig has been demobilised to enable seismic survey, while the aircore rig is on its last program for 2021.
Guide for drilling next field season
Legend managing director Mark Wilson said: “The data we have gathered at Mawson throughout this year has been comprehensive and greatly increased our knowledge of the intrusion.
“The intrusion has been extended from circa 400 metres strike this time last year to 1,600 metres where it now stands.
“Our expectation is that this data will greatly assist the interpretation of the current seismic survey, especially deeper than 500 metres below the surface.
“The current interpretation is there is a 'keel' to the intrusion, which extends below 500 metres and the seismic survey has been designed to see plus 1,000 metres.
“We are looking forward to the results of the seismic with the anticipation that it will be a guide for diamond drilling next field season.”
Understanding is evolving
A total of nine further diamond drill holes have been completed (RKDD061 and RKDD073- RKDD080).
The evolving understanding of the Mawson structural architecture has resulted in the potential identification of trap sites for massive nickel-copper sulphide accumulations in this northeast zone.
LEG's 3D model driving predictive exploration at Mawson continues to evolve with new data and continues to be very accurate as a predictive tool for targeting interpreted fertile intrusion.
The updated 3D constrained gravity model at this stage appears to have a high correlation for mineralised intrusion.
To date, the mineralised intrusive footprint at Mawson extends over 1.6 kilometres in strike length.
The northernmost drill section completed suggests the intersection of a new intrusion adjacent to the Mawson intrusion.
Future diamond drilling planning at Mawson will focus on the continued definition of these mineralised intrusive bodies at depths below 500 metres based on the interpretation of the seismic data, which is currently under acquisition.
Geological, structural, and geochemical datasets will be combined with seismic, gravity, magnetic, and DHTEM datasets to design its 2022 diamond drill programme to test targets for massive nickel-copper sulphide accumulation.
Assays results
Assay results from diamond drill holes RKDD061-072 have been received.
Elevated nickel-copper values were also returned from a number of drill holes associated with disseminated sulphides in mafic and ultramafic intrusive, as expected.
The assay results from RKDD071 support the visual identification that where the mineralised Mawson chonolith thins and focuses, nickel-copper sulphide accumulations become more prevalent.
Aircore program
Aircore drilling contractor Drillpower Pty Ltd has completed 37 drill holes across the Mawson Intrusive Complex for 3,038 metres, primarily testing for fertile nickel-copper intrusions.
Results from this program will be reported once received.
Future programs
Mawson’s future programs include:
➢ Seismic survey across 3 kilometres x 1.5 kilometres area is underway;
➢ Aircore drilling across interpreted mafic-ultramafic intrusions within the greater 16 kilometres x 6 kilometres Mawson Intrusive Complex; and
➢ Integration of geological, structural, geochemical, gravity, magnetic and seismic datasets to evolve 3D emplacement model of the Mawson chonolith and rank generated nickel-copper sulphide targets.