NickelSearch Ltd (ASX:NIS), has completed a maiden aircore drill program and started reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling as part of an extensive campaign at the flagship Carlingup Nickel Project at Ravensthorpe in Western Australia.
There is a great deal of newsflow to come from NIS, with DHEM surveys also planned, assay results from 28 holes due and an EM survey review underway.
During the current exploration, NickelSearch is primarily focused on shallow resource definition, extensional drilling and metallurgical test-work of the RAV nickel sulphide deposits.
"Consistent newsflow"
“We have been active in progressing our extensive exploration activities at Carlingup, focused on resource definition, extensions to known nickel sulphide deposits as well as progressing our greenfield exploration work,” NickelSearch managing director Nicole Duncan said.
“We expect this period of busy exploration to deliver consistent newsflow as we aim to generate major value catalysts for the company.”
Drill program overview
Since listing in October last year, NickelSearch has been extremely active in exploration, completing the following drill programs:
- Maiden RC program of 33 RC holes for a total of 3,563 metres completed in December 2021
- Maiden aircore drill program of 71 holes for 2,189 metres completed in late February 2022.
RAV-8 deposit
In late 2021, 10 RC holes were completed at RAV-8 for 1,650 metres. Assays from one hole were announced while results from the remaining holes are pending.
At RAV-8, the diamond drill rig is drilling large diameter (PQ) core. Three holes are planned, with one completed at a depth of 110.1 metres and the second hole nearing completion.
The core will provide NickelSearch geologists with an important opportunity to assess the orientation of mineralised zones and structures to better refine the geological model.
RAV-4 West deposit
At RAV-4 West in late 2021, NickelSearch drilled 12 RC holes for a total of 827 metres. Assay results from two holes have been announced while results from the remaining 10 holes are pending.
In February 2022, the company completed 21 aircore holes for 599 metres focused on resource definition in areas of mineralisation that are interpreted to be very close to surface in softer weathered rocks.
Deeper holes were abandoned due to harder than expected host ultramafic rocks.
The RC drill rig is now back onsite at RAV-4 West to focus on drilling two areas of open mineralisation that we were unable to test with the aircore rig.
After this, the RC rig will move to RAV-1 and RAV-4, focusing on areas of open nickel sulphide mineralisation and then to scout drill test the John Ellis target.
Diamond drilling has also been planned, with three holes scheduled for 240 metres.
Drilling at RAV-1 will focus on five areas of open mineralisation, in addition to redrilling at least three of the aircore holes to reach the ultramafic basal contact.
RAV-5 prospect
At RAV-5 11 RC holes were completed for 1,200 metres late last year. Assay results from two holes have been announced while assay results from the remaining nine holes are pending.
NIS says it is excited at the potential to release a maiden resource at RAV-5.
John Ellis high priority prospect
Visual sulphides were observed in the fresh rock drill chips at John Ellis North in addition to encouraging XRF geochemistry results at John Ellis South.
A ground-based Fixed Loop Electromagnetic survey (FLEM) is in progress to identify anomalies that may be indicative of large sulphide mineralisation and further refine drill targets.
Down-hole Electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys are also planned at RAV-8, RAV-5 and RAV-4 West, aiming to identify expansions to existing nickel sulphide mineralisation present at shallow to moderate depths.
Greenfields exploration
While the company pursues the drilling, it remains committed to the progression of greenfields exploration towards the next nickel sulphide discovery at Carilngup.
Along with the FLEM and DHEM surveys, several programs are in progress:
- Soil sampling - The sampling crew has completed a systematic ultra-fine soil geochemical coverage over a 15-kilometre length of the Carlingup Nickel Trend. The work has extended into areas where previous soil sampling lacked multi-elements needed for geochemical fertility studies.
- Xcite high-resolution helicopter magnetic survey- The final data has been received for the Carlingup Project tenure. The results are under review and will be used to refine and prioritise greenfield nickel sulphide targets to follow up exploration work.
- By Duncan Bailey