Strickland Metals Ltd (ASX:STK) has highlighted a zinc-lead feeder zone from its soil sampling program at Iroquois discovery in the Earaheedy Basin of Western Australia.
The soil sampling demonstrated copper anomalism and mapped the interpreted feeder zone structure to zinc-lead mineralisation exceptionally well at Iroquois.
Looking ahead, Strickland is planning further soil sampling to define the extent of the existing copper soil anomalism.
“Elevated copper anomalism”
Strickland CEO Andrew Bray said: “After announcing our exciting zinc-lead discovery at Iroquois last October, we’ve spent considerable time trying to understand the geology and mineralisation to assist with followup drill plan design.
“While the soil sampling program generated broad multi-element anomalies, the elevated copper anomalism maps the structure incredibly accurately.
“We believe these are the feeder zones for the mineralised fluids.
“This is a big step forward not only for effectively drilling the existing zinc-lead mineralisation, but also for locating further feeder zones throughout the wider prospect.”
Soil sampling program
Strickland collected a total of 1,565 soil samples at 25-metre spacings (north-south) and 100 metres (east-west) and these were submitted to LabWest for gold and a full suite of multi-element analysis.
Notably, the results of this work have expanded a broad, coherent soil multi-element anomaly (copper-silver-lead-antimony-tungsten-zinc) to more than 1.5 kilometres in length.
The sampling also identified a separate potential feeder structure to the southeast where the same geochemical signature was observed directly along the fault structure.
Moving forward, Strickland’s growing understanding of the mineralisation and geological structures will greatly assist with further drill program design.
Second feeder zone.
Bray adds: "In light of this interpretation, it is evident that the drilling we’ve completed to date (including the discovery holes) is predominantly on the western edge of the main structure.
“Further programs will target the north-east extensions and also drill on the eastern side of the feeder zone, where we expect to intersect similar mineralisation to what we’ve seen on the western side.
“The same elevated copper anomalism and geochemical signature was observed southeast of the Iroquois mineralisation, representing potentially a second feeder zone.
“Interestingly, this anomalism is located directly along a fault structure from the previously intersected mineralisation.”
Native title heritage surveys
Strickland has scheduled a heritage survey to occur in early April 2022 over the Iroquois prospect and surrounding areas.
Upon receipt of the Heritage Clearance report, the company plans for follow-up RC drilling to begin possibly as early as April 2022.
Bray adds: “Native Title Heritage Surveys are scheduled to take place in early April 2022. Depending on confirmation of cleared areas, we are in the fortunate position of being able to expedite any drilling given that the company has an RC rig and diamond rig on site for the remainder of 2022.
“Additional rigs will also be added during the year, providing the company with further flexibility around Iroquois programs.”
Forward plan
Rigs are positioned fulltime on site for the remainder of 2022, providing flexibility around further programs at Iroquois and the surrounding areas.
Given how effective soil copper anomalism appears to be at mapping the interpreted zinc-lead feeder structure, Strickland is planning for substantial soil programs in the immediate proximal areas to the known mineralisation.
Furthermore, the company is considering a ground-based induced-polarisation (IP) geophysical program to further assist with targeting.