Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) is developing a follow-up reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Mulga Tank nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum group element Project in Western Australia.
The $16.7 million market capitalisation company says the drilling comes after assays, generated from an additional 3 RC holes completed as part of a recent RC drilling program, demonstrated ‘broad’ zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Half of the results from the RC program have now been posted, with each hole interpreted to have elevated nickel and sulphur coincident with ‘highly anomalous’ copper and platinum group element mineralisation.
The company also notes today’s results continue to de-risk a potentially globally ‘significant, large-scale’, open-pitable nickel sulphide deposit at Mulga Tank.
Further, hole MTRC015 demonstrated multiple intersections with greater than 1% nickel.
Key results include hole MTRC015 with 8m @ 1.2% nickel (Ni), 565 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co), 82ppm copper (Cu), 57 parts per billion (ppb) platinum (Pt) plus palladium (Pd) from 58m.
The results follow the discovery of almost 370m of nickel mineralisation at Mulga Tank, as reported last week (30 November).
The company notes all 11 RC holes reported to date contain mineralisation with around 45%-70% length down every hole being mineralised, demonstrating continuity of shallow mineralisation across the complex.
Western Mines reports results demonstrate potential for a ‘higher-grade’ core emerging in the centre of the complex.
Western Mines Group Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott says the company is continuing to achieve its ‘hit rate’ and is planning the follow-up RC program to test the centre of the complex.
“Assay results have been received for half of the 22 RC holes and our ‘hit rate’ continues with all of them showing broad zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Holes MTRC015 and MTRC017 cluster together in the centre of the complex and could be a higher-grade core to the disseminated mineralisation. Follow-up RC is planned and this area happens to be exactly where WMG selected as the location for hole EIS3 in our second EIS grant.”
Western Mines Group is a mineral explorer focused on the exploration and discovery of ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across its portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on ‘major’ mineral belts in Western Australia.
The company’s Mulga Tank Project sits in the underexplored Minigwal Greenstone Belt and demonstrates ‘significant’ evidence for an ‘extensive’ working nickel sulphide mineral system.
As of 30 September 2023, Western Mines Group had $1.872 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Born and raised in the UK, Adam is a sports fanatic with an interest in Rugby League and UFC/MMA. When not training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Adam attends Griffith University where he is completing his final year of a Communication & Journalism degree.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has confirmed almost 370m of nickel mineralisation at its Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
The $16.7 million market capitalisation company announces today (30 November) it has uncovered ‘broad’ zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation from a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the project.
The RC drilling program comprised 22 drillholes designed to test the extent of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation observed across the centre of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
Western Mines notes results have been received from 6 of the 22 holes, with drillhole MTRC009 highlighting a cumulative 367m of nickel mineralisation that corresponds well to 390m of visible disseminated sulphides observed.
The company says results also display a continuity of the uppermost zone of shallow mineralisation. Some 50% of samples down each hole show mineralisation with ‘elevated’ nickel and sulphur in combination with ‘highly anomalous’ copper and platinum group elements (PGEs).
Key results include hole MTRC009 with 188m @ 0.27% Ni, 138ppm cobalt (Co), 75 parts per million (ppm) copper (Cu), 26 parts per billion (ppb) platinum (Pt) plus palladium (Pd) from 92m including 28m @ 0.38% Ni, 158ppm Co, 87ppm Cu, 39ppb Pt plus Pd from 121m.
Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says the drilling program ‘dramatically’ increases the drilling density in the ‘core’ of the complex and is expected to yield ‘extremely valuable data’.
Western Mines Group is a mineral explorer focused on the exploration and discovery of ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across its portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on ‘major’ mineral belts in Western Australia.
The company’s Mulga Tank Project sits in the underexplored Minigwal Greenstone Belt and demonstrates ‘significant’ evidence for an ‘extensive’ working nickel sulphide mineral system.
As of 30 September 2023, Western Mines Group had $1.872 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Born and raised in the UK, Adam is a sports fanatic with an interest in Rugby League and UFC/MMA. When not training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Adam attends Griffith University where he is completing his final year of a Communication & Journalism degree.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has uncovered ‘broad’ zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation through the first new assays from its Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) Project in Western Australia.
The $18.67 million market capitalisation company has reported the assays from the first two holes of its latest reverse circulation (RC) drilling program, MTRC001 and MTRC002.
According to Western Mines, the results could offer a ‘step change’ in the understanding of the geology and geochemistry of the complex and its potential to host a ‘significant’ disseminated nickel sulphide deposit amenable to ‘large-scale’ open-pit.
Hole MTRC001 intersected 162m @ 0.20% Ni, 123 parts per million (ppm) Co, 81ppm Cu, and 19 parts per billion (ppb) platinum and palladium (Pt+Pd) from 95m; and hole MTRC002 intersected 29m @ 0.24% Ni, 141ppm Co, 103ppm Cu, 23ppb Pt+Pd from 97m.
Western Mines Group Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott says with 5,700 samples having been sent off to a laboratory for testing, the company should start to see a flow of results come in over the next 2 months.
“The RC drilling dramatically increases the drilling density in this ‘core’ of the complex and will yield extremely valuable data in testing the lateral continuity of shallow disseminated mineralisation, as well as beginning to systematically characterise the geology and geochemistry of the system.
The results from these first 2 holes show the concept of testing the uppermost zone of shallow mineralisation is working, with broad zones of mineralisation identified in both holes. Around 50-60% of the samples from both holes showed the geochemical signature of mineralisation.
“These are positive initial results, as the program looks to test a volume of some 650,000,000 cubic metres, which could host significant nickel in sulphide”
These are positive initial results, as the program looks to test a volume of some 650,000,000 cubic metres, which could host significant nickel in sulphide — and hole MTRC001 was located in the southwestern corner of the area drilled, so mineralisation is likely not constrained to this initial area.”
The RC drill program comprised 22 holes for 7,035.5m and was designed to test the extent of the uppermost zone of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation observed in Western Mines’ diamond core holes across the centre of the complex.
The company’s flagship Mulga Tank project lies 190km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields province of the Yilgarn Craton.
Western Mines Group is a diversified minerals explorer focused on discovering ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects in Western Australia.
As of 30 September 2023, the company had $1.872 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) is expecting assay results over the next few months after completing a 22-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
The $19.67 million market capitalisation company says drilling was designed to systematically test the extent of the uppermost zone of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation observed in diamond core holes across the centre of the Mulga Tank ultramafic complex.
Western Mines reports that the RC holes were spread over a 2,500m x 1,000m area at about 500m by 300m spacing, with the 300m target depth achieved in all but 3 holes.
Several holes are reported to have extended beyond 300m where visible sulphide mineralisation was observed at the target depth.
The company notes a total of 5,721 one-metre samples have been delivered to ALS Laboratory in Perth, Western Australia, for geochemical assay. The first results are anticipated in the next week, and continual results are expected over the next 1-2 months.
Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says the 7,000m program — which the company completed in just 6 weeks — successfully dealt with the sand cover in the area that has hampered previous historical drilling.
“The holes targeted a significant portion of the main body of the complex and will yield extremely valuable data in testing the lateral continuity of shallow disseminated mineralisation, as well as beginning to systematically characterised the geology of the complex.”
“The holes targeted a significant portion of the main body of the complex and will yield extremely valuable data in testing the lateral continuity of shallow disseminated mineralisation”
Western Mines Group is a mineral explorer focused on the exploration and discovery of ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on major mineral belts of Western Australia.
The company’s flagship Mulga Tank Project represents a ‘major’ ultramafic complex found on the underexplored Minigwal Greenstone Belt.
Western Mines Group had $1.872 million cash and cash equivalents at hand as of 30 September 2023, according to its latest quarterly report.
Born and raised in the UK, Adam is a sports fanatic with an interest in Rugby League and UFC/MMA. When not training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Adam attends Griffith University where he is completing his final year of a Communication & Journalism degree.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has reported new assays from hole MTD028 that confirm evidence of an ‘extensive’ mineral system at its Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) Project.
The $19.70 million market capitalisation company says the assays validate its geological logging work and confirm ‘extensive’ zones of mineralisation with ‘significant’ evidence for live magmatic sulphide chemical processes.
Further, the results from hole MTD028 demonstrate zones of ‘highly’ anomalous copper and PGEs, combined with elevated sulphur (S) and a S:Ni ratio greater than 0.5.
Western Mines says these zones correlate ‘well’ with the visible sulphides observed in geological logging and provide ‘strong’ evidence for nickel in sulphide.
The assays from hole MTD028 show cumulative disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation of 466m @ 0.35% Ni, 139 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co), 63ppm Cu, and 43 parts per billion (ppb) platinum and palladium (Pt+Pd) with a S:Ni ratio of 1.0.
Individual ‘significant’ mineralised intersections down the hole include 16m @ 0.31% Ni, 139ppm Co, 16ppm Cu, 19ppb Pt+Pd from 134m.
Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says the company is continuing to see ‘better’ results from the project, and today’s results show the ‘broadest and highest-grade assays’ of disseminated sulphide mineralisation yet at Mulga Tank.
“Overall, it is positive for the ongoing reverse circulation (RC) drilling program testing the continuity of this zone across the main body of the complex.
High-tenor remobilised massive sulphide veinlets were seen throughout this zone, as well as in surrounding holes MTD012, MTD013, MTD022 and MTD023.
This further confirms the basal contract of the intrusion to be highly prospective for massive sulphides, and our belief this is likely a hybrid Type 1/2 mineral system more akin to Perseverance — with both disseminated and massive components.”
“Overall, it is positive for the ongoing reverse circulation (RC) drilling program testing the continuity of this zone across the main body of the complex”
The company notes a second multipurpose RC drill rig began a systematic shallow drill program across the centre of the main body of the complex in September. This program aims to build on the results returned to date.
Western Mines Group is scheduled to exhibit at the upcoming International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) held in Sydney from 31 October to 2 November 2023. Mining.com.au is an official media partner of IMARC, which will showcase 470-plus mining leaders and resource experts throughout 7 concurrent conferences.
Western Mines’ flagship Mulga Tank project covers an area of 425km-square and lies 190km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
The company is a diversified mineral explorer focused on the discovery of ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects in Western Australia.
As of 30 September 2023, the company had $1.87 million cash at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
After what’s been a ‘transformational’ 12 months for Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG), MD Caedmon Marriott says the company has secured further funds for expanded exploration work at its flagship Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements project — both from existing shareholders and the WA government. The company is planning further drilling across Mulga Tank with the understanding that ‘one hole here could open up an entirely new nickel province’.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has tapped private investors for $1.24 million to support and expand ongoing exploration activities at its Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) Project.
The company is set to issue 4,243,000 placement shares at $0.28 to raise the funds. The placement is being conducted by Sanlam Private Wealth, which will be paid a fee of 6%.
Subject to shareholder approval, Western Mines Group Technical Director Ben Grguric intends to purchase $50,000 worth of placement shares as part of the capital raise.
The $19.70 million market capitalisation company expects the allocation and issue of the placement shares on or around 31 October 2023.
Western Mines says the funding boost will support ongoing diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling and the start of belt-wide exploration to target the unexplored komatiite channels upon the granted tenement E39/2299.
Western Mines notes that 49% of the placement shares will be issued to its top 20 existing shareholders, with several shareholders either maintaining or enlarging their interest in the company.
This includes Western Mines’ major shareholder Equentia Natural Resources.
Western Mines Group Chairman Rex Turkington says: “The placement received tremendous support from our existing shareholders, for which the board is very grateful.
“These funds will all be going into the ground to continue advancing Mulga Tank as we build on our exciting results from the project”
These funds will all be going into the ground to continue advancing Mulga Tank as we build on our exciting results from the project.”
Western Mines is scheduled to exhibit at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney from 31 October to 2 November 2023. Mining.com.au is an official media partner of IMARC, which will showcase 470-plus mining leaders and resource experts throughout 7 concurrent conferences.
Western Mines Group is a mineral explorer focused on gold and nickel sulphide deposits in ‘major’ mineral belts of Western Australia.
The company had $3.27 million cash at hand as of 30 June 2023, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has been awarded $220,000 under the Western Australian State Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) to fund drilling at the Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project.
The $18.45 million market capitalisation company will use the funds to drill another deep diamond hole for more than 1,500m into the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
This deep drilling is designed to follow up on the diamond drilling program conducted throughout this last year. It’s aimed to test the deepest part of the complex and target a ‘significant’ gravity high, magnetic high, and MobileMT anomaly at the base of the intrusion.
Western Mines Group Chairman Rex Turkington says: “Once again, congratulations and great work by Caedmon, Ben, and the exploration team in our second successful EIS application.
The maximum $220,000 award will be used to drill another exciting deep hole aimed at testing some significant targets at the base of the Mulga Tank Complex following our outstanding results from the project during this year.”
Western Mines’ modelling of this target area suggests it could be a sulphide-enriched keel and/or feeder vent for the overall intrusion.
As part of the grant, the company can begin the drilling of the EIS hole any time after 1 December 2023.
Based on previous experience of deep holes at the project, the company expects the drilling to take around 6 to 8 weeks to complete.
Western Mines Group is a diversified mineral exploration company with assets located on ‘major’ mineral belts in Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $3.27 million cash at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
The company is scheduled to exhibit at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) held in Sydney from 31 October to 2 November 2023. Mining.com.au is an official media partner of IMARC, which will showcase 500-plus mining leaders and resource experts throughout 7 concurrent conferences.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has expanded its 18-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program to 22-holes at the Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
After a pause in drilling to set up the remaining pre-collars, the rig is spinning once more, with 10 holes completed to date.
The $19.7 million market capitalisation company says the expanded program will test the extent of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation across the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
Meanwhile, Western Mines has struck a drilling-for-equity deal with its drilling contractor, Blue Spec.
Western Mines says owing to an ‘excellent’ working relationship, Blue Spec has agreed to subscribe for 760,000 new ordinary shares in Western Mines Group for $250,000 at an implied value of $0.3289 per share, subject to shareholder approval.
This deal will support Western Mines’ ongoing RC drilling program.
Drillholes are spread over a 2,500m-by-1,000m area in the centre of the main body of the complex, at a 500m-by-300m spacing. The drilling will attempt to drill to a 300m target depth.
Western Mines reports hole MTRC009 was drilled to a depth of 522m and is understood to be the deepest RC hole Blue Spec has ever drilled in Australia.
The company has observed that hole MTRC009 hosts ‘significant’ disseminated sulphide mineralisation.
Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says drilling is progressing well and is anticipated to be completed by early November, with each hole taking around one to 2 days to complete.
“We’ve expanded the initial 18-hole program, adding some additional holes on the eastern margin around hole MTD027 — the program now aims to test a ~2,500m x ~1,000m area.
We have a great relationship with Blue Spec Drilling, who have conducted all our drilling at the project to date. Blue Spec have agreed to support the company by taking $250,000 worth of shares, subject to shareholder approval. This will fund a significant amount of the RC program.”
“We have a great relationship with Blue Spec Drilling, who have conducted all our drilling at the project to date”
The company’s flagship Mulga Tank project is prospective for nickel, copper, and platinum group elements in the eastern Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia.
Western Mines Group is a diversified minerals exploration company focused on discovering ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits in major mineral belts of Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, Western Mines had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has returned its ‘best assay results yet’ from its Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) Project in Western Australia.
Assays from hole MTD027 show cumulative disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation of 694m @ 0.31% Ni, 141 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co), 68ppm Cu, and 30 parts per billion (ppb) platinum+palladium (Pt+Pd) with a sulphur:nickel (S:Ni) ratio of 1.0.
The $16.65 million market capitalisation company says the broad intersections of disseminated nickel mineralisation with elevated Ni and S, in combination with highly anomalous Cu and PGE, show ‘strong’ evidence of an extensive magmatic sulphide mineral system throughout hole MTD027.
Assays also confirm Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation in remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets in hole MTD027, including 1m @ 1.05% Ni, 290ppm Co, 111ppm Cu, 110ppb Pt-Pd from 504m.
Commenting on the assays, Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “These assay results from MTD027 surpass previous results from EIS holes MTD023 and MTD026 and further confirm we have discovered a huge working nickel sulphide mineral system within the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
The assay results support the visual observations and clearly show nearly 700m of disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Of particular interest is the intersection from 1,208m returning 96m @ 0.4% Ni, including 8m @ 1.11% Ni. This heavily disseminated mineralisation is starting to show what a high-tenore nickel sulphide mineral system can produce and is possibly Perseverance-style ‘cloud’ sulphide.
“Of particular interest is the intersection from 1,208m returning 96m @ 0.4% Ni, including 8m @ 1.11% Ni. This heavily disseminated mineralisation is starting to show what a high-tenore nickel sulphide mineral system can produce and is possibly Perseverance-style ‘cloud’ sulphide“
A similar intersection of 88m @ 0.44% Ni from 1,212m, with individual results up to 0.69% Ni, was seen in hole MTD023. The significant gravity high anomaly to the north of these holes may represent a sulphide-enriched keel and/or feeder vent of the overall intrusion.
This undrilled area of the intrusion is becoming an interesting follow-up target as our ongoing exploration drilling campaign continues. The 3D inversion data from our recent MobileMT survey will be used to further define drillholes in this area.”
Hole MTD027 was the sixth hole of the company’s phase two program and lies on the eastern side of the complex in an area that has had no previous drilling.
The hole was designed to test a coincident gravity and magnetic high, a minor moving-loop electromagnetic (MLEM) anomaly, and the presence of nickel sulphide mineralisation in this area.
Western Mines drilled the hole for a total depth of 1,662.3m, which is the deepest hole drilled at the project to date.
The company is continuing to conduct both diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drill programs at Mulga Tank with the aim of testing the extent of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation and deeper targets.
Further drillholes will continue to be added to both programs, with ongoing targeting work, as Western Mines explores the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
Western Mines Group is an ASX-listed minerals exploration company focused on ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on ‘major’ mineral belts of Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has struck a deal with Dynamic Metals (ASX:DYM) to purchase a new tenement next door to its Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project area in Western Australia.
The acquisition of tenement E39/2134 expands Western Mines’ project area to 425km-square, covering 37km strike and the entire ‘under-explored’ Minigwal Greenstone Belt.
In return for the tenement, Western Mines will pay $20,000 in cash and issue to Dynamic 100,000 WMG shares and 200,000 options with a strike price of $0.60, exercisable 3 years from their date of issue.
Western Mines will also provide Dynamic a 1% net smelter royalty (NSR).
Completion and settlement of the acquisition is expected to occur within 5 days or such other date as agreed between the parties.
Western Mines share price had increased by 8.62% to $0.32 as of 10:15am AEDT today (3 October).
The company, which has a $16.65 million market capitalisation, says the new ground contains multiple interpreted ultramafic bodies suggested to represent potential komatiite channels emerging from the main Mulga Tank dunite intrusion. These ultramafic bodies have never been drill tested.
Commenting on the acquisition, Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “This strategic acquisition secures the final missing piece of the Minigwal Greenstone Belt and consolidates Western Mines Group’s ownership of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
The new ground is contiguous to, and surrounded by, Western Mines Group’s tenements E39/2132 and E39/2299 and contains a number of interesting looking interpreted ultramafic bodies extending from the Panhandle area of the Mulga Tank Complex.
Tenement E39/2134 is already granted so we intend to get on the ground there as soon as possible.”
Western Mines Group is an ASX-listed precious, critical, and battery metals exploration company. The company’s portfolio of assets is located on ‘major’ mineral belts of Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group’s (ASX:WMG) recently announced reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Mulga Tank is well underway with the first 8 holes already complete.
The company is currently undertaking both diamond and RC drilling programs at the Mulga Tank Project.
With this two-pronged approach, the recently announced RC drilling program aims to test the extent of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation, while the diamond drilling program, ongoing since November 2022 continues to test deeper targets. Further drillholes will continue to be added to these programs, with ongoing targeting work, as the company systematically explores the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
The company also completed diamond drillhole MTD028 at the Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project, on the Minigwal Greenstone Belt, in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.
Hole MTD028 is located on the western side of the Mulga Tank Complex between previous holes MTD022 and MTD023 (EIS1). The hole was designed to test the continuity of mineralisation between these holes, possible association of mineralisation with magnetic highs and also further test the large W Conductor electromagnetic (EM) anomaly at depth.
MTD028 intersected a 950m thickness of high MgO meso-adcumulate dunite ultramafic containing disseminated magmatic sulphides (trace to 2%) that in a number of places coalesced into interstitial blebs (3% to 5% sulphide).
Towards the basal contact of the complex numerous intersections of high-tenor remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets were also observed (confirmed by spot pXRF readings up to 24.8% Ni).
Western Mines reports the hole demonstrated the presence of mineralisation between nearby holes MTD022 and MTD023 (EIS1), with disseminated sulphides occurring in four broad zones similar to MTD023 (EIS1). While visible sulphides were perhaps not as ‘rich’ as MTD023 (EIS1) this may have been masked by structural overprint in this area.
High-tenor remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets observed in the deeper portion of the hole continue to support the prospectivity of the basal contact of the Complex for deposits of massive nickel sulphide.
The company is methodically using a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) device on site as part of its exploration and geochemical vectoring approach during the drilling program. Spot pXRF readings for hole MTD028 have been taken at 50cm intervals down the core.
Commenting on the Mulga Tank Project, WMG Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “MTD028 was both an infill hole between MTD022 and MTD023, to test lateral continuity of the disseminated mineralisation seen in those holes, and also aimed to further test the basal contact in this area – associated with the W Conductor EM anomaly and numerous remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets seen in surrounding holes MTD012, MTD013, MTD022 and MTD023.
The hole certainly met our expectations and the predictability is starting to become something of a feature of Mulga Tank, there’s almost no bad holes, with sulphide mineralisation encountered nearly everywhere we drill.
“Overall, the level of disseminated sulphide mineralisation sat somewhere between the two neighbouring holes, better than MTD022 but perhaps not as rich as MTD023, mirroring the hole’s location – but visible disseminated mineralisation was somewhat affected by the structural overprint in this area”
Overall, the level of disseminated sulphide mineralisation sat somewhere between the two neighbouring holes, better than MTD022 but perhaps not as rich as MTD023, mirroring the hole’s location – but visible disseminated mineralisation was somewhat affected by the structural overprint in this area. Further high-tenor remobilised massive sulphide veinlets were seen at depth, confirming the basal contact of the intrusion is highly prospective for massive sulphides, which continues to confirm our belief this is likely a hybrid Type 1/2 mineral system more akin to Perseverance – with both disseminated and massive components.”
Hole MTD028 (planned hole MTP027) is the seventh hole of the phase two diamond program and is located on the western side of the Mulga Tank Complex between previous holes MTD022 and MTD023 (EIS1).
The hole was designed to test the continuity of mineralisation between these holes, possible association of mineralisation with magnetic highs and also further test the large W Conductor EM anomaly at depth.
Western Mines notes the drilling and visual results from hole MTD028 were largely as predicted, with the hole reaching the estimated pre-drill target depth of 1,000-1,100m. The hole demonstrated the presence of mineralisation between nearby holes MTD022 and MTD023 (EIS1), with disseminated sulphides occurring in four broad zones similar to MTD023 (EIS1).
Sulphide mineralisation was general “richer” than hole MTD022 (~600m W) but not as “rich” as hole MTD023 (EIS1). The shallow basalt-dolerite dykes/sills observed in the top section of the hole are likely later stage and related to faulting. A number of intersections of high-tenor remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets seen in the lower portion of the hole between 800-1,000m depth once again confirm the basal contact of the Complex is prospective for massive nickel sulphide deposits.
The company says while the large W Conductor underlying the western margin of the Complex is almost certainly a very large stratigraphic conductor, related to the sulphidic black shales seen in the footwall assemblage, it could potentially be masking other sulphide conductors.
Overall, Western Mines says it is encouraging that this infill hole was successful in demonstrating further disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation whilst also highlighting the likelihood of the Mulga Tank Complex to host a hybrid Type 1/2 nickel sulphide mineral system – with both disseminated and massive sulphide components.
Mining.com.au Managing Editor Adam Orlando has more than 20 years’ experience in the media having held senior roles at various publications, including as Asia-Pacific Sector Head (Mining) at global newswire Acuris (formerly Mergermarket). Adam has worked in newsrooms around the world including Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and Sydney.
This article is a sponsored feature from Mining.com.au partner Western Mines Group Ltd. It is not financial advice. Talk to a registered financial expert before making investment decisions.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) is at a pivotal time in the young minnow’s journey to identify an extensive working nickel sulphide mineral system in Western Australia.
The company has always adopted a ‘ballsy’ go big and dig deep approach with exploration at its flagship Mulga Tank Project.
Complementing that mindset is a willingness to adopt modern technology to better understand Mulga Tank – a major ultramafic complex found on the under-explored Minigwal Greenstone Belt.
Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott tells Mining.com.au that one hole in particular epitomises Western Mines’ “real balls exploration” approach and has led to a figurative fork in the road for the company.
Hole MTD027 intersected 1,500m thickness of high MgO meso-adcumulate dunite ultramafic containing disseminated magmatic sulphides (trace to 2%) that in a number of places coalesced into interstitial blebs (3-5% sulphide).
As drilling goes for a junior, Marriott says this is deep.
“We don’t shy away from being brave. We’ve now drilled 3 deep holes at Mulga Tank – the 2 co-funded EIS holes 23 and 26, and then our own, which just evolved into a deep hole and wasn’t initially planned to be drilled to 1,600m.
This is incredibly punchy. That is real balls exploration. It’s incredibly expensive for a little company like us but it just goes to show how exciting and potentially massive this thing is.”
Critical juncture
Marriott says it also presents a number of opportunities.
“We’re at a fork in the road in terms of what’s before us. We’ve now demonstrated extensive disseminated mineralisation within the complex, Mt Keith-style nickel mineralisation, so as I alluded to the market before, with an RC rig we can very quickly and easily drill down 300 (metres) in the top section and we can start to prove up a shallow disseminated resource in the top couple of hundred metres of this body.
If we can demonstrate that it’s laterally continuous over something like 2 kilometres by a kilometre by 100 metres thick, that’s still millions and millions of tonnes of contained nickel. It’d be huge, so one avenue of our future exploration becomes that and looking to test the shallow top section with RC. We’ll be doing that over the next month or two.
But we’re really beginning to believe this is a hybrid system, more similar to Perseverance, with both a disseminated cloud and basal massive sulphides. On the other fork in our exploration strategy we will continue looking for this massive sulphide component.”
Sands of time
Marriott notes there’s a few intricacies with this. One element is that historical attempts at aircore and RC drilling were often unable to overcome the issue of sand cover, as the rigs would get bogged. This is in large part why the area is underexplored.
Western Mines is using a multipurpose rig to drill and case pre-collars through the sand. The holes are spread over a 2,000m x 1,000m area across the centre of the main body of the complex, at about 500m x 300m spacing, and will attempt to drill to 300m target depth.
Broad intervals of shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation, within the top 250 vertical metres, have been seen across previous diamond drillholes MTD012-MTD022-MTD023-MTD026 some 2.3km apart. More recently visible sulphide mineralisation was seen in hole MTD027 about 1.5km further east.
However, the MD says it’s the depth of the complex that has caught Western Mines’ attention. In order to really understand the magnitude of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex, Marriott knows he and the team must think big in terms of the approach to this critical juncture.
Having spoken to various industry stalwarts about new techniques around, including Mike Jones from Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT), Marriott engaged Expert Geophysics to undertake the firm’s pioneering MobileMT geophysical survey across the entire Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex.
The aim is simple – further unlocking the 3D architecture and targeting accumulations of massive nickel sulphide.
Marriott says this is just another step in the company’s systematic and forward-thinking exploration strategy. Combined with its existing 3D datasets, such as magnetics, gravity, and the extensive geological information gained from recent deep EIS holes, the deep resistivity and conductivity mapping provided by the MobileMT system is unlocking further insight into the complex.
This progressive technology is capable of deep 3D geoelectrical mapping of resistivity and conductivity down to >1km, which the MD hopes may be well suited to directly detecting deep massive sulphide targets at the project.
Deeper insights
Given the depth the company has been drilling, the MD says it makes sense to utilise technology that lends itself to penetrating deeper into the ground.
“I just love the size of this thing, right. There’s these 1,500 metre holes we’ve drilled through it, with significant mineralisation all the way down them.
We’ve been able to fly the whole belt with MobileMT pretty quickly and cheaply to quite a high resolution. Our previous surface EM was probably only good down to 300, maybe 500 metres at best. Whereas magnetotellurics can go down to 1,000 or 1,500 metres, depending on your conditions.
“I just love the size of this thing, right. There’s these 1,500 metre holes we’ve drilled through it, with significant mineralisation all the way down them“
We’re using the MobileMT to map the resistivity of the rocks. We expect the dunite body, the intrusive body that we’re targeting, to naturally be very resistive, and the footwall around it, the basalts and shales. to be less resistive and more conductive. The inverse of resistive is conductive. So, it’ll map the architecture quite well of our project, but then we hope to see more conductive anomalies, within an overall resistive dunite body, that could be potential sulphide targets.”
MobileMT is the latest innovation in airborne electromagnetic technology and the most advanced generation of Airborne Natural Source Audio Frequency Magnetotelluric (AFMAG) technologies. It utilises naturally occurring electromagnetic fields in the 25Hz to 20,000Hz frequency range and is essentially a high-resolution deep resistivity and conductivity mapping tool capable of delivering 3D geoelectrical information down to >1km depth – this should effectively target the entire Mulga Tank Complex and basal contact, based on the company’s geological model.
The MD adds: “It’s magnetotellurics, which is using the Earth’s natural electromagnetic frequencies. A lot of these other EM technologies, like downhole EM, airborne or surface based Moving Loop EM or fixed loop EM – you have an electromagnetic source which pumps a current into the ground and then you have the receivers that then measure that.
Whereas magnetotellurics uses the Earth’s natural fields, there’s no pumping source. The Earth is constantly being charged by lightning and various other processes. Essentially, it’s mapping resistivity, how resistive the rocks are, and it’s supposed to be able to do it down to about a kilometre or over a kilometre. So much deeper than EM.”
Transitional period
The recent deep hole MTD027 was located on the eastern side of the Mulga Tank Complex in an area that has had no previous drilling. The hole was designed to test a coincident gravity and magnetic high and minor MLEM anomaly.
Numerous intersections of high-tenor massive nickel sulphide immiscible globules and remobilised massive nickel sulphide veinlets were observed frequently down the length of the hole (confirmed by spot pXRF readings up to 37% Ni).
These frequent observations of remobilised sulphide veinlets, with examples of high-grade material filling rock fractures, opens up the eastern margin area in the search for accumulations of massive nickel sulphide.
Together with EIS holes MTD023 and MTD026, hole MTD027 demonstrates an extensive magmatic nickel sulphide mineral system within the complex, which Marriott says has now been shown across the entire 4.5km wide main body.
Assay results for MTD026 show cumulative disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation of 840m @ 0.28% Ni, 140ppm Co, 103ppm Cu, 24ppb Pt+Pd with S:Ni 1.6. MTD026 intersected a cumulative 1,400m thickness of high MgO adcumulate dunite ultramafic containing disseminated magmatic sulphides (trace to 2%) that in a number of places coalesced into interstitial blebs (3-5% sulphide) and even approaching net textured (5-10% sulphide) over a cumulative 950m.
Multiple intersections of high-tenor remobilised massive nickel sulphide blebs and veinlets were also observed down the length of the hole.
“We can’t stress enough the importance of the sulphide mineralisation“
Marriott adds: “We can’t stress enough the importance of the sulphide mineralisation. Although we’re not getting the grades seen at Mt Keith, to get 840m of it is pretty nuts, really. It’s just huge, potentially an order of magnitude larger. Whereas Mt Keith has 0.35-0.4% material with no sulphides in, here we’re seeing visible disseminated blebs at anything over 0.25% – generally if it’s visible it’s recoverable.
And then we’ve gone on and drilled hole 27, we thought that was going to be a relatively shallower hole into the edge of this bowl that we model the intrusion as, and that ended up going very deep as well. In essence, we’re seeing really good results and strong evidence for a hybrid system with basal massive sulphide – so we’re very committed to always getting to the bottom of this thing.
If you’re drilling 1,500 metre holes and seeing 900 metres of mineralisation, which is then confirmed by assays, and it’s all nickel sulphide, it’s pretty incredible, really. So, I think that’s indicative of how brave and frontier it is.
So where do we go from here, then? I guess that’s what we’re in, not a state of transition, but that’s what we’re still getting our heads around, in a sense. How best to target both the shallow disseminated material and deeper massive sulphides in parallel.”
Western Mines Group is an exploration company driven by the goal to create significant investment returns through exploration and discovery of high-value gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of highly prospective projects located on major mineral belts of Western Australia.
The company has been continuously drilling at Mulga Tank since November 2022.
Earlier this month, Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis performed on a series of reconnaissance samples taken from drill core identified the mineral brucite (Mg(OH)2) as well as hydrotalcite group minerals.
These minerals have been implicated in the passive sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in mine tailings at several locations worldwide and in particular, tailings from the giant dunite-hosted Mt Keith nickel deposit in Western Australia.
The MD explains that with the XRD, although only a small group of samples were analysed as part of this first pass study, the results clearly demonstrate the mineralogy of Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex contains critical components which could partially or entirely mitigate the output of atmospheric CO2 generated in future mining activities.
“These super deep holes have really unlocked things for us but we’ve barely scratched the surface“
Moreover, he says the presence of brucite and hydrotalcite group minerals may result in any tailings generated via a conventional crush, grind and flotation processing route being amenable to relatively rapid sequestration of atmospheric carbon via carbon mineralisation processes thereby significantly enhancing the “green” credentials of the project by producing net-zero carbon nickel, along with the possibility of a carbon credit by-product revenue stream.
Marriott says while there have been exciting exploration results to date demonstrating an extensive nickel sulphide mineral system within the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex, a transitional period awaits the company.
“These super deep holes have really unlocked things for us but we’ve barely scratched the surface. We’re increasingly confident we’ve discovered a huge nickel sulphide mineral system at Mulga Tank. There’s significant Mt Keith-style disseminated mineralisation but more than likely we believe this is a hybrid system more similar to Perseverance, with both a disseminated cloud and a basal massive sulphide component – finding that portion is where this project gets really exciting.”
Mining.com.au Managing Editor Adam Orlando has more than 20 years’ experience in the media having held senior roles at various publications, including as Asia-Pacific Sector Head (Mining) at global newswire Acuris (formerly Mergermarket). Adam has worked in newsrooms around the world including Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and Sydney.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has kicked off a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Mulga Tank Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) Project in Western Australia.
An initial program of 18 holes for 5,400m of drilling has been designed to test the extent of the shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation observed across the centre of the Mulga Tank Complex.
The holes are spread over a 2,000m-by-1,000m area to test for shallow mineralisation down to 300m in the centre of the complex.
Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has approved the $16.34 million market capitalisation company’s second Program of Work (PoW) for an additional 40 drillholes within tenement E39/2132, adding to the original 30-hole budget from the first PoW application.
Commenting on the ongoing activities, Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “It’s great to see us entering a new phase of our exploration at Mulga Tank with the mobilisation of a second rig to the project and the commencement of this RC drilling program.
“we hope the results may yield an initial exploration target size for Type 2 Mt Keith-style mineralisation at the project”
The initial 18-hole program is designed to quickly test a fairly large area across the centre of the main body of the complex. The program aims to look for the lateral continuity of the shallow disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation — seen in the top few hundred metres from hole MTD022 in the west, across to recent hole MTD027 in the east — as well as explore for zones of richer disseminated mineralisation.
The holes are pretty wide-spaced, at approximately 500m x 300m spacing, and will cover an area of 2,000m x 1,000m, attempting to drill to a target depth of ~300m. If the drilling program is successful, we hope the results may yield an initial exploration target size for Type 2 Mt Keith-style mineralisation at the project.”
Western Mines Group is an ASX-listed mineral exploration company focused on discovering ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on ‘major’ mineral belts of Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has confirmed the potential to capture economically ‘significant’ volumes of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at its Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
The $16.65 million market capitalisation company says powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) results from 13 samples gathered from the nickel-copper-platinum group element (Ni-Cu-PGE) project demonstrate up to 8% brucite and up to 12% hydrotalcite group minerals.
These minerals have been implicated in the passive sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in mine tailings at several locations worldwide, and more specifically, tailings from giant, dunite-hosted Mt Keith nickel deposit in Western Australia.
Further mineral characterisation work, as well as other studies designed to help the company understand the potential of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex, will continue in parallel with ongoing exploration.
Western Mines reports although only a small group of samples were analysed, the results demonstrate that the mineralogy of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex contains critical components that could partially or entirely mitigate the output of atmospheric CO2 generated in future mining activities.
The presence of both brucite and hydrotalcite group minerals may result in tailings generated through a conventional crush, grind, and flotation processing route being amenable to relatively rapid sequestration of carbon through carbon mineralisation processes.
Western Mines believes this could ‘significantly’ enhance the ‘green’ credentials of the project by producing NetZero Carbon Nickel along with the possibility of a carbon credit by-product revenue stream.
Commenting on the test results, Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “Our Technical Director, Dr Ben Grguric, continues to lead and investigate further studies to enhance our understanding of the Mulga Tank Complex.
“This reconnaissance mineralogical work opens an interesting angle in the significant carbon capture potential of the project“
This reconnaissance mineralogical work opens an interesting angle in the significant carbon capture potential of the project, greatly enhancing the green credentials and also the potential economics of the project. This and other technical studies will continue in parallel with our ongoing field exploration activities.”
Western Mines Group is a gold and nickel explorer focused on the discovery of ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of ‘highly prospective’ projects located on major mineral belts in Western Australia.
The company’s Mulga Tank project represents Western Mines’ flagship asset and is located within an ‘overlooked’ portion of the eastern Yilgarn Craton.
Western Mines Group had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand as of 30 June 2023, according to its latest quarterly report.
Born and raised in the UK, Adam is a sports fanatic with an interest in Rugby League and UFC/MMA. When not training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Adam attends Griffith University where he is completing his final year of a Communication & Journalism degree.
Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has reported ‘very positive’ aqua regia testwork results from hole MTD026 at its Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
The $28.76 million market capitalisation company says the results indicate that nickel (Ni) is ‘very likely’ predominantly associated with sulphide mineralisation in the area.
Hole MTD026 returned a four acid result of 130m @ 0.305% Ni, 136 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co), 122ppm copper (Cu) from 116m. Meanwhile, the aqua regia result includes 130m @ 0.3% Ni, 132ppm Co, 121ppm Cu from 116m.
Both results suggest a ‘high’ percentage of nickel in sulphide form versus silicate nickel, with the 130m intersection showing better than 98% similarity in results.
Western Mines says assuming this mineralisation is laterally continuous, these results demonstrate the potential for the complex to host ‘significant’ volumes of nickel sulphide form within a ‘large’ near-surface, open-pit scenario for the project.
Commenting on the aqua regia results, Western Mines Group Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says: “This basic comparison testwork has now been completed on 5 holes showing significant intersections of disseminated sulphide mineralisation and attempts to further prove the disseminated nickel mineralisation at Mulga Tank is hosted in potentially recoverable sulphide form — these very positive results clearly demonstrate it likely is.
“the drilling results to date show the potential for the Mulga Tank Complex to host large volumes of nickel in sulphide form“
We’re conscious of exploring by economics and deliberately selected shallow intervals found in the top few hundred vertical metres that could be amenable to a large-scale open-pit scenario. Shallow intersections from 4 holes, MTD012, MTD022, MTD023, and MTD026, appear laterally continuous over some 2.3km, though a lot of further drilling is required to confirm this.
Even considering just these uppermost intersections, the drilling results to date show the potential for the Mulga Tank Complex to host large volumes of nickel in sulphide form. Further infilling drilling is planned to test the continuity, with a potentially very significant shallow nickel sulphide resource there for us to go after.”
Western Mines notes that infill drilling will be required to confirm the lateral extent of the mineralisation uncovered. The feasibility of this will be tested over the next few months.
Mulga Tank is Western Mine’s flagship project and is located 190km east-northeast of Kalgoorlie in the Duketon Domain of the Burtville Terrane in the Eastern Goldfields province of Western Australia.
Western Mines is a mineral exploration company focused on uncovering ‘high-value’ gold and nickel sulphide deposits across its ‘highly prospective’ portfolio of assets in Western Australia.
As of 30 June 2023, the company had $3.272 million cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Relocated from the East Coast in New Zealand to Queensland Australia, Aaliyah is a fervent journalist who has a passion for storytelling. When Aaliyah isn’t writing stories, she is either spending time with friends and family or down at the beach.
