Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR) has completed a reverse circulation and diamond drill program at the Hilditch West target, 25 kilometres from BHP’s Kambalda Nickel Operation in Western Australia, with visible nickel sulphide mineralisation observed in core.
The company has completed 14 RC holes totalling 1,590 metres and two Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) co-funded diamond drill holes for 490 metres with samples submitted for assaying.
In-field XRF readings have confirmed nickel concentrations consistent with the previous drilling in the region which had discovered shallow nickel-copper-cobalt intersections
Furthermore, intersected ultramafics in deeper diamond drilling encouragingly support the geological model for nickel to be remobilised from ultramafics deeper in the stratigraphy.
“Presence of ultramafic rock units”
Commenting on completion of the Hilditch West nickel drill program, Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: “Initial observations at Hilditch West have been very encouraging, indicating the infill and expansion program has intersected the expected alteration including sulphides along ~1-kilometre of prospective structure.
“The drill program was designed to expand the initial scout drilling which successfully discovered shallow nickel-copper-cobalt intersections which included, 5 metres at 1.2% nickel and 2 metres at 1.5% nickel.
“The presence of ultramafic rock units in the deeper diamond drilling confirms previous geological interpretations that the nickel sulphides within the Hilditch West structure are likely to have been transported from deeper in the stratigraphy, increasing our confidence in the prospectivity of the Hilditch West nickel target.”
Invaluable geological knowledge
Encouragingly, the two completed EIS diamond drill holes have provided invaluable geological knowledge to advance the Hilditch West project.
Drilling intersected several sulphidic intervals and zones of fuchsite alteration along with the 1-kilometre structure – providing more definition around the geometry of potential mineralisation.
Furthermore, the two diamond drill holes have been cased with PVC for Downhole Electromagnetics (DHEM) to assist with further targeting of sulphide-dominated mineralisation expected to be completed in the following quarter.
Forward plan
All samples from the Hilditch West program have been submitted, with assay results expected in 6-7 weeks.
The Downhole Electromagnetics (DHEM) surveys at Hilditch West are expected to be completed in the next quarter, assisting with further targeting of sulphide-dominated mineralisation
Looking ahead, Maximus’ large scale multi-target gold and nickel drill program is continuing, with further updates to be provided as the program progresses.