Dalaroo Metals (ASX:DAL) has completed stage one soil sampling at its Watheroo Copper-Nickel-Platinum Group Elements Project in Western Australia’s mid-north wheatbelt.
The 106-sample program returned peak values of 284 parts per million (ppm) copper and 176ppm nickel, with platinum, palladium, and gold values reaching 10 parts per billion each. The 40ppm copper contour now defines a southern extension covering approximately 2km2.
CEO John Morgan says stage one has extended the Watheroo copper and nickel soil response south of the historical sampling area.
“Peak results of 284ppm copper and 176ppm nickel are encouraging and, together with the broader multi-element response, provide a clear focus for follow-up work,” Morgan adds.
“The spatial association between the Cu-Ni [copper-nickel] response, mapped mafic-ultramafic geology and the underlying magnetic feature supports our interpreted intrusive model, and provides a stronger geological framework for prioritising further exploration across the target.”
The copper-nickel soil response shows spatial association with mapped mafic-ultramafic lithologies and an underlying magnetic feature. Dalaroo says the distribution provides focus for follow-up exploration along the interpreted eastern contact of the buried intrusion.
The Watheroo prospect centres on an approximately 7km by 3km magnetic feature. Recent mapping verified large, continuous outcrops of olivine gabbro supported by scattered serpentine occurrences.
Dalaroo says these represent analogous source rocks to intrusive complexes hosting major regional discoveries, including Chalice Mining’s (ASX:CHN) Julimar Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements deposit.
Infill sampling and geophysics refine Watheroo targets
Building on these results, Dalaroo’s stage one sampling employed a hand auger targeting the B horizon at 10–50cm depth on a 200m by 100m grid across the southern extension.
Exploration Manager Trystan Hughes says the spatial relationship between the copper-nickel response, mapped lithologies, and magnetic architecture ‘strengthens’ the interpreted intrusive model.
“The 7km by 3km magnetic footprint, historical Cu-Ni anomalies and newly extended copper response demonstrate the scale and coherence of the target,” Hughes notes.
“Stage two soil sampling and planned ground IP [induced polarisation] geophysics will increase resolution across the target and test for chargeable responses at depth.”
Approximately 360 remaining soil samples will extend coverage northward and provide infill across priority areas. The company plans ground-based IP surveys to test for chargeable responses below the weathered zone.
Dalaroo will use combined datasets to determine whether reverse circulation or diamond drilling is warranted and finalise potential drill targets. It says it may consider downhole electromagnetic surveying should drilling proceed.
The 100%-owned Watheroo Project comprises exploration licence E70/5494, located approximately 200km north of Perth.
Dalaroo Metals is an Australian exploration company advancing a diversified portfolio of gold and critical minerals projects across Western Australia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Greenland.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Dalaroo Metals
