Dundas Minerals Ltd (ASX:DUN) has identified two areas of anomalous nickel-copper-cobalt values from its first-ever surface soil sampling at the North-East Prospect Area within Western Australia's prospective Albany-Fraser Orogen.
Encouragingly, these two roughly parallel and anomalous value trends are coincidental to subtle ground gravity and airborne magnetic features conducted in the region.
Although absolute parts per million (ppm) values of nickel, copper and cobalt returned from the soil sample assays are moderate, the 95th percentile values for these elements warrants follow-up exploration within the area.
“Maiden drilling programs”
Dundas Minerals managing director Shane Volk said: “Although it is early days for our North-East prospect exploration activities, the results from this first-ever soil sampling program across the area are indeed encouraging.
“As we have previously reported, outcrops of mafic/ultramafic pyroxenite rocks have been observed at various locations in the North-East prospect area, which is encouraging for nickel and copper mineralisation."
Soil sampling program
Dundas had undertaken soil sampling during December 2021 and January 2022 with samples assayed by Intertek Genalysis in Perth
In total, 278 samples were collected from the B-C horizon of the soil profile (sieve 60mesh: 250um / 0.25mm), on a 250 x 250-metre spaced grid.
Forward plan
As the anomalous zones are in the northwest corner of the soil sample grid, a follow-up soil sample program to extend the grid in all directions to test for additional anomalism is envisaged.
Also, a tightening of the sample grid to 50 x 50 metres or 75 x 75 metres, would provide improved delineation of anomalous areas.
Volk adds: “In addition to soil sampling, we continue to work at finalising plans and obtain approvals for the commencement of maiden drilling programs for both the Central exploration target and the Matilda South prospect.
“The Central target is also located in the North-East Prospect Area, approximately 6 kilometres to the southwest of these zones of soil sample anomalism.”
About Dundas
Dundas is exploring nickel-copper and gold mineralisation in an underexplored region of the Albany Fraser Orogen in Western Australia – home of the company-making Nova Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Mine and the multi-million-ounce Tropicana-Havana Gold Mine.
The company brings a team of industry veterans and an extensive land package of more than 1,200 square kilometres to the table, making for a promising mid-to-long-term exploration outlook for the company.
The junior explorer is new to the ASX, having listed in mid-November last year following an oversubscribed IPO that raised $6 million before costs.