St George Mining Ltd (ASX:SGQ) has outlined five large conceptual targets for nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) mineralisation to be tested as a priority at its flagship Mt Alexander Project in the northern Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia.
The company completed a comprehensive review of all available technical data across its extensive holdings to determine these conceptual target areas where minimal or no previous drilling has taken place.
Looking ahead, the targets have favourable structural and geological settings for nickel-copper-PGE deposits and warrant prioritised follow-up exploration.
“Encouraging results”
St George executive chairman John Prineas said: "Our systematic exploration continues to deliver encouraging results that support the potential for further significant mineralisation at Mt Alexander.
“With surface EM surveys having limited detection at depth, the seismic survey has been invaluable in mapping the host structures and revealing prospective areas for exploration.
“Further seismic surveys will assist with 3D structural interpretation and provide datasets needed to make more discoveries.”
Exploration strategy
St George’s exploration strategy is twofold: firstly, to expand areas of known high-grade massive sulphide mineralisation intersected near-surface at Mt Alexander and, secondly, at the same time test several large conceptual targets that have the potential to deliver a step-change in the scale of the project.
Some of the compelling conceptual targets identified for drilling include:
- Ida Fault: structurally complex area where the Cathedrals Belt is truncated by the craton-scale Ida Fault; the interpreted shallow westerly plunge to high-grade mineralisation towards the Ida Fault suggests the fault may be linked to mineralisation.
- Radar and Fishhook: two large structural targets in the eastern extension of the Cathedrals Belt, with very limited follow-up drilling at Radar – MAD152 intersected 4 metres at 3.0% nickel, 1.1% copper and 2.2 g/t PGE from 48 metres.
- Granite/greenstone contact: the interpreted contact and related structures between the Mt Alexander greenstone belt and the granites located directly north is considered prospective and has yet to be effectively explored.
Moving forward, drilling will be accelerated to test these targets with geophysical surveys, including gravity and seismic surveys, also planned to further investigate these new conceptual targets.
Prineas adds: “The geological and structural interpretations continue to evolve with new exploration results.
“Our very experienced and committed technical team is also looking at new concepts and methods to provide additional information that can assist exploration targeting.
“With investor interest in quality nickel exploration opportunities continuing to grow enormously, we are energised by these new exploration initiatives which could help to add to the four shallow high-grade nickel-copper discoveries we have already made across the Cathedrals Belt.”
Expansion of seismic coverage
St George’s recent drilling has confirmed the trial seismic survey was effective in mapping the interpreted structures that host the mineralised intrusions at Mt Alexander
Consequently, based on the success of the trial survey in identifying potential mineralised intrusions, an expanded seismic survey is planned to commence next month
The additional seismic coverage will cover high-priority target areas and has the potential to provide an exploration breakthrough.
Growth targets
St George’s infill and extensional drilling continue in areas of known high-grade nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation, including at the Investigators and Stricklands deposits which remain open
A strong downhole EM conductor (22,800 Siemens) was identified at West End, near the western end of known mineralisation, which suggests mineralisation is open towards the Ida Fault.
At Stricklands, two strong EM conductors – one modelled with the conductivity of 22,500 Siemens and the other with 9,825 Siemens have been identified northwest of the main deposit.
Furthermore, the conductors are interpreted to represent massive nickel-copper sulphides and drilling is planned to test these targets during the current program.
Prineas adds: “We are also looking forward to the initial diamond drilling program at the Paterson Project, in the eastern Pilbara region of WA, that will commence soon.
“This program will test a number of compelling drill targets for potential copper and gold mineralisation and deliver some exciting newsflow to complement our activities at Mt Alexander.
“With advanced exploration underway around the known high-grade deposits at the Cathedrals Belt and recognition of five large, conceptual targets at Mt Alexander – plus the commencement of diamond drilling at Paterson – this year is shaping as very productive for the company and a very exciting time for St George shareholders.”