Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX:CHN, OTCQB:CGMLF) has commenced low-impact diamond drilling at the Hartog Target within its 100%-owned Julimar Nickel-Copper-PGE Project about 70 kilometres northeast of Perth in Western Australia.
Drilling has commenced on existing access tracks used for fire access and by the general public, following approval from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS), allowing the company to assess the mineral potential of the area while minimising the environmental impact of its exploration activities.
No disturbance or clearance of vegetation
Initial drill locations at Hartog have been selected based on their ease of access and will be drilled using track-mounted diamond drill rigs that will operate wholly within the footprint of the existing tracks, with no disturbance or clearing of vegetation required.
The drill rigs have fully contained above-ground drilling fluids systems, which means that no excavation of drilling sumps is required and all waste will be disposed of outside the forest.
Conservation Management Plan
Chalice’s exploration drilling in the Julimar State Forest is strictly governed by the Stage 2 Conservation Management Plan (CMP), developed in consultation with the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and approved by the WA State Government on December 29, 2021.
Together with the CMP, Chalice has a number of other key compliance requirements and management plans in place.
The low-impact drilling program is expected to have no impact on the ongoing recreational use of the forest.
The company is hoping that the drilling will enable it to enhance the Julimar nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) project, which is the largest nickel sulphide discovery worldwide since 2000 and the largest PGE discovery in Australian history.