Adavale Resources (ASX:ADD) reports it has progressed the initial drilling program using
reverse circulation (RC) to drill pre-collars for diamond drilling extensions at priority drill targets within the HEM 2 target area in Tanzania.
The target area is within the company’s Kabanga Jirani and Luhuma nickel projects located within the broader East African Nickel Belt of Tanzania.
The drill program currently underway is using an RC rig to complete pre-collars through the ‘barren’ and ‘weathered’ surface profile which is up to 100m thick before switching to a diamond drill rig to complete the designed hole and to test the target zones typically 300m to 400m below surface.
The company says its local drilling contractor has the capability to proceed with the flexible combination of RC and diamond drilling rigs for the initial drill campaign, and the current drill program is estimated to involve up to 8,000m of combined RC and diamond drilling.
Adavale has refined the initial drilling program to initially test ‘high priority’ target areas including HEM 2 and 3 survey areas within the Luhuma extension, followed by HEM 4 at Kabanga East, and then HEM 7, 8, and 9 at Kabanga West.
Adavale Executive Director David Riekie said the company’s recently processed HEM data has highlighted some really compelling conductors that are coincident with previously identified gravity anomalies.
“This validation is very encouraging and has helped confirm the final location and selection of our priority drill targets”
“This validation is very encouraging and has helped confirm the final location and selection of our priority drill targets.
We are now in the process of installing RC pre-collars at HEM 2 with the view to drill 3 diamond drill holes, with scope to expand this number before moving the RC rig south to install pre-collars at targets being finalised at HEM 3 and HEM 4.
We then plan to relocate the rig to HEM 7, 8 and 9 on licence ground holdings to the west. We are fortunate to have this number of high-quality targets and expect drilling and outcomes to continue throughout the December quarter.”
The planned drillhole located at HEM 2 are scheduled to be drilled over the coming weeks, and final drill target locations are currently being generated by Adavale for HEM 3 and 4.
Adavale describes the gravity and magnetic anomalies identified by Heli-borne EM data are generally broader and show the ‘possible’ extent of intrusions, whereas the EM conductors are modelled as discrete features offering a more specific drill target.
The company also says final hole locations and designs are continually being refined as new reprocessed and modelled data comes to hand from expert geophysical consultants.
Adavale also estimates the conductivity of the HEM target to be around 0.8S/m and has been refined using a combination of 3D voxels and conductivity depth images (CDI) models.
It also says it’s strategy is to maintain a flexible and iterative approach in respect to the sequence and expansion of its drilling program based on information gained through field assessments of drill locations, drill results and the continual processing refinements made to the HEM survey by the company’s consultants.
As part of the current drill program, the company anticipates downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys will be performed on all completed diamond drillholes to explain the source of the individual conductors and identify potential new drill target areas.
Adavale also notes the current drilling program is progressing well and is scheduled to continue throughout the current quarter.
Adavale Resources is a nickel sulphide exploration company that holds 100% of the Kabanga Jirani Nickel Project covering around 1,168km-square along the Karagwe-Ankolean belt in Tanzania.
The company also holds exploration licences for its sedimentary uranium potential within the northern part of the Lake Frome Embayment in South Australia.
Images: Adavale Resources Limited & iStock
