Australian focused multi-element explorer Cosmos Exploration (ASX:C1X) reports it has uncovered multiple, high-priority bedrock airborne electromagnetic (AEM) conductors at its 100%-owned Byro East Ni-Cu-PGE Project in Western Australia (WA).
The newly discovered AEM conductors were identified from final levelled VTEM data generated by airborne geophysical surveys conducted across the project tenement earlier this year.
The results have returned a total of 43 VTEM targets, which have been prioritised based on their EM characteristics, with 14 being considered priority-1, 13 being considered priority-2 and 16 being considered priority-3.
It is also reported that the identified AEM-4 and AEM-5 targets, generated by ongoing EM conductor plate modelling, represent standout drill targets following on-ground field checks, which confirmed the presence of outcropping ultramafic rocks within close proximity.
The survey is reported to have utilised the UTS geophysics VTEM MAXTM time-domain AEM system and was flown over 602km-square worth of prospective tenure to target Julimar and Nova-Bollinger style Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide mineralisation.
Speaking on the drill targets, Cosmos Exploration Executive Chairman, Jeremy Robinson says: “We now have clearly-defined targets to aim a drill rig at and we look forward to testing them in the new year.
“We now have clearly-defined targets to aim a drill rig at and we look forward to testing them in the new year.”
This puts us in an excellent position to search for major nickel-copper-PGE discoveries in a frontier province and, hopefully, to see the huge value creation that can flow from exploration success.”
The company also notes that the completed ground field checks identified mafic rocks within the vicinity of EM priority-1 and 2 target sites.
Rock sampling of these mafic lithologies has been completed and samples have been submitted for whole rock analysis and petrography for further classification.
In addition, priority-1 VTEM targets are ‘significant’ isolated conductor anomalies interpreted to be related to conductive sources in bedrock, which have potential to host accumulations of sulphides enriched in Ni-Cu-PGE metals.
Cosmos Exploration’s Byro East project represents a greenfields mineral exploration project and one of the most ‘extensive’ under-explored landholdings not held by globally recognised specialist explorer and developer Chalice Mining (ASX:CHN). The project is located within WA’s West Yilgarn ‘high-grade’ gneiss Ni-Cu-PGE province, comprising a substantial land holding of 1,600km-square that is considered prospective for intrusion-related nickel-copper-cobalt-gold-platinum grade element (Ni-Cu-Co-Au-PGE) mineralisation.
With the results from the airborne geophysical surveys now received, Cosmos Exploration announces that EM conductor modelling is still ongoing ahead of the re-commencement of on-ground activities scheduled for March next year.
It is hoped that heritage surveys will be undertaken in anticipation of the maiden drilling campaign that is expected to occur in Q2 next year, however these surveys are subject to statutory government approvals.
Images: Cosmos Exploration Ltd
