Battery minerals explorer Anson Resources (ASX:ASN) has reported ‘significant’ nickel-chrome-copper assay results from a first-pass sampling program at its Hooley Well Project in Western Australia.
With the sampling program now complete, Anson is planning some reverse circulation (RC) drilling as part of its next phase of exploration. Through this drilling work, the $114 million market capitalisation company will focus on the Erong Hill target within the project area.
Anson collected 46 rock chip samples and 356 soil samples from ‘priority’ targets at the project. The program focused on anomalies defined in the area from Anson’s recent aeromagnetic interpretation work at the project.
From the rock chips, assays have revealed grades of up to 6.14% chromium and 0.011% cobalt, as well as 0.39% nickel.
From the soil samples, results included 0.58% chromium and 0.38% nickel.
Anson says the mineralisation in the area extends for more than 500m and remains open along-strike at the HW01 anomaly.
The company reports that the assay results from the sampling program have enabled it to define high-priority targets for further interrogation in its planned next phase of exploration. This upcoming work will target deep magnetic conductors and targets identified at surface.
Once the company has tested these with RC drilling, it will then potentially follow up this work with diamond drilling.
Anson says the Hooley Well area has been subjected to ‘limited’ historical exploration, and it’s largely covered by colluvium.
As such, given the sampling results, Anson’s RC work will start at high-priority Erong Hill targets before moving into areas exhibiting ‘strong’ magnetic responses and induced polarisation (IP) sensitivity proximal to fracture or fault margins along the Yilgarn Craton.
From here, the company will map the RC assay results to ultimately lead to infill RC drilling and, later, deep-sourced diamond drilling of highly mineralised nickel laterite or nickel sulphide target areas, depending on the RC results.
On top of all this, Anson is planning shallow reconnaissance aircore drilling to target rare earth element (REE) anomalies in the area close to surface.
As Anson progresses its exploration work, it continues to focus on the development of its flagship Paradox Lithium Project in southern Utah, US.
The company is working to develop this project into a lithium-producing operation to help service the growing electric vehicle market.
Images: Anson Resources
