Alligator Energy (ASX:AGE) reports it has started an electromagnetic survey (EM)aiming to confirm nickel and cobalt conductors at its Piedmont Nickel-Cobalt Project located in northern Italy.
The EM survey will determine the presence of nickel and cobalt conductors proximal to historic mines and ‘extensive’ known mineralisation occurrences in the Alpe Laghetto Prospect.
Alligator anticipates the EM survey to take between 4 to 5 weeks with data processing and interpretation to follow.
Four of the survey grids are targeting extensions along strike and at depth of the historic mineralisation at La Balma, Laghetto, Laghetto South and Cevia.
A smaller grid (EM) is testing a VTEM anomaly identified in a historic heliborne survey. The surveys are also intended to test for larger conductive bodies at depth that may be the source for the historically mined sulphide mineralisation.
The program will also enhance the geological understanding of the Piedmont Project through the collection and presentation of high-quality data allowing targeted follow up drill testing if warranted.
Alligator Energy CEO Greg Hall said it has taken two years to get back on the ground on the company’s Piedmont project due to COVID and access restrictions.
“Our Italian geological consultants have engaged with Turin based mines authority and the local community to ensure an understanding of our geophysics work, and previous engagement at the provincial level enabled our drilling permits to be approved in early 2020, just as COVID travel and access restrictions hit.
We are looking forward to these ground EM results advancing our geological understanding in an area which has 17 showings of 0.5% Ni or greater, with very little modern exploration, and not one drillhole.
“Italy and Europe continue to support exploration for needed critical minerals”
Italy and Europe continue to support exploration for needed critical minerals.”
Alligator has had previous interest from several potential strategic partners for investment into the project, two of which are still engaged.
The company also has previously approved drilling permits for the Alpe Laghetto area which will enable follow up drilling on identified targets if warranted.
The Piedmont nickel-cobalt-copper deposits were historically mined from the late 1800’s to the early 1940s however there has been minimal modern exploration.
In 2018, Alligator undertook confirmatory sampling and ground truthing in the Piedmont Project area which supported the presence of abundant nickel and cobalt mineralisation within and along strike of existing historical workings.
Sample grades up to 2.5% Ni and 0.17% Co were reported by Alligator to the market. Seventeen separate locations with sample results of over 0.5% Ni and associated Co and Cu were identified by field sampling and mapping.
Alligator Energy is an Australian ASX-listed exploration company focused on uranium and energy related minerals, principally cobalt and nickel.
The company’s directors have ‘significant’ experience in the exploration, development and operations of both uranium, and nickel projects (both laterites and sulphides).
Its projects include the Piedmont Ni-Co-Cu-Au-PGE Project in northern Italy, the Samphire Uranium Project and Big Lake Uranium Project in South Australia, and the Alligator Rivers Uranium Project in the Northern Territory.
Images: Alligator Energy Ltd
