Adavale Resources (ASX:ADD) has started a 135km-square soil geochemical survey on prospective layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions following initial diamond drilling (DD) at its Kabanga Jirani Nickel Project in Tanzania.
The company says the soil geochemical survey has been designed to further refine 2023 drillhole targets, and has begun in line with ongoing additional drilling and casing of holes for a planned downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) survey, which started in December 2022.
Adavale adds the soil geochemical survey comes following the initial stage DD completed during December last year at the HEM 2, 4, and 9 target areas. Drilling comprised 4 diamond holes for 1,471m of drilling and intercepted rock types over broad intervals that host nickel sulphide deposits at HEM 2.
Drilling was suspended in late December 2022 due to the onset of the wet season and is expected to resume in early 2023 following the completion of soil sampling, analysis of results and DHEM surveys.
Commenting on the results, Adavale Executive Director David Riekie says: “Whilst exploratory drilling of targets within Adavale’s 1,311km-square of tenure is still in its early stages, both drill holes at HEM 2 are considered the most promising to date, intersecting rock types that typically host nickel sulphide deposits.
“Whilst exploratory drilling of targets within Adavale’s 1,311km-square of tenure is still in its early stages, both drill holes at HEM 2 are considered the most promising to date”
The drilling provided a clear indication that the potential to host a more “primitive” nickel sulphide rich ultramafic component exists at HEM 2 at depth and further to the east from the area currently drilled. This area to the east will most definitely be the focus of exploration at the HEM 2 target in 2023.”
The company also notes it has secured a DHEM contractor to test the 4 completed drillholes during February this year in order to verify the electromagnetic (EM) anomalies, detect any off-hole conductors that may be associated with nearby nickel sulphide mineralisation, and indicate what follow-up drilling is required.
Adavale Resources is an ASX-listed nickel sulphide exploration company that holds a 100% interest in the Kabanga Jirani project in Tanzania. The project comprises 9 highly prospective granted licences that cover a total landholding of 1,212km-squares along the Karagwe-Ankolean belt, with the 6 southernmost licences situated proximal to the world-class Kabanga Nickel deposit. This deposit hosts a mineral resource of 58 million tonnes (Mt) @ 2.62% nickel (Ni).
Other assets included in the company’s exploration portfolio include the Lake Surprise Uranium Project in South Australia, located about 550km north of the city of Adelaide.
Images: Adavale Resources Limited & iStock
