Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR) has intersected intervals of disseminated sulphides in ultramafics and disseminated native copper in the maiden diamond drill hole completed at the Hilditch West Nickel Prospect.
The intersection has provided further insight into the Hilditch West Nickel-Copper-Cobalt system which lies just 25 kilometres from BHP’s nickel concentrator in the world-class Kambalda nickel district in WA.
Native copper in chlorite-rich veinlets (NQ diamond core) at 255 metres.
Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: “We have completed the first diamond drill hole into the Hilditch West target, greatly expanding our geological knowledge of the area.
“Drilling results showed multiple komatiite (ultramafic) flows, with a thickening of the flows at depth and the hole terminating in sulfidic metasediments, indicating that we have drilled the right host-sequence which is prospective for nickel sulphide deposits.”
Maximus’ drilling targeted a late-time conductor, along strike from and below the recent Hilditch West nickel-copper-cobalt RC (reverse circulation) drill intersections which included 5 metres at 1.2% nickel and 2 metres at 1.5% nickel.
A 531 metres diamond drill hole was completed, designed to intersect the coincident peak magnetic response and centre of the electromagnetic (EM) conductive target plate at about ~420 metres downhole.
Cross-section and logged lithology.
Within the completed drill hole, repetitive intervals of komatiite flows were identified, with minor disseminated sulphides (pyrrhotite) observed.
A narrow massive sulphide unit was intersected from 124.4 metres, with a pyrite + magnetite + pyrrhotite + chalcopyrite assemblage, interpreted as an interflow sediment unit.
A ~6-metre interval of disseminated native copper in chlorite-rich veinlets was observed from 255 metres.
Next steps
Maximus is planning a step out RC drilling program targeting the zones adjacent to and along strike from the initial scout drilling which returned a strong result of 5 metres at 1.2% nickel.
The RC drill program will be scheduled for completion in the first half of 2022, along with a planned RC program in the Wattle Dam gold area.
In addition, the company has been awarded a WA government EIS co-funding grant (up to $90,000) for additional diamond drilling in the Hilditch West target area.
Targeting for the co-funded diamond drilling will be undertaken in conjunction with proposed drill programs at the Central Nickel prospects’ 2200N and Sully target.
“Excellent potential to identify additional mineralisation”
Wither added: “Hilditch West remains a very compelling target area, with excellent widths and grades recorded in maiden RC drilling.
“While the source of the recent RC nickel mineralisation intersections requires further follow-up work to resolve, there is excellent potential to identify additional mineralisation with further drilling.
“The company is also pleased to advise the award of an EIS co-funded drilling grant, which will be utilized in the continuing advancement of Hilditch West nickel prospect.”