Dundas Minerals (ASX:DUN) reports that it has encountered massive sulphides and ultramafic rocks following rotary air blast (RAB) drilling activities at its Central exploration target in Western Australia.
The results, generated by three shallow drillholes (22CEWB001-03), have returned anomalous cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and silver (Ag) pXRF values from a maximum depth of 37m in drillhole 22CEWB003, as well as pyrite rich stockwork veins from 17m downhole in drillhole 22CEWB001.
However, samples taken from the drillholes were susceptible to downhole smearing and formational contamination due to the RAB drilling technique used and the company advises that values represented in these results should be regarded as indicative only.
Commenting on the pXRF results, Dundas Minerals Managing Director, Shane Volk, said: “The completely unexpected intersection of ultramafic massive sulphides immediately below the hard calcrete lithological layer at Central, prior to commencing the holes targeting the two AMT anomalies, is an extremely positive early result. The cobalt, copper, nickel and silver pXRF readings are very encouraging. We are moving as quickly as possible to test both Central AMT anomalies with diamond drillholes to depths of up to 500m.
“The completely unexpected intersection of ultramafic massive sulphides immediately below the hard calcrete lithological layer at central, prior to commencing the holes targeting two amt anomalies, is an extremely positive early result.”
The Central target was initially identified by Dundas Minerals from an aerial electro-magnetic (EM) survey in late 2021. Two of the strongest EM anomalies were then confirmed by two audiomagnetotellurics (AMT) survey lines in March 2022, then drill targets were developed. What is most exciting about Central is that there are a series of EM anomalies that extend over a length exceeding 10km. As far as Dundas Minerals can determine, there has been no prior exploration ever conducted in this area of the Albany-Fraser Orogen, we are working in an absolute greenfield exploration environment.”
The company also notes that drillhole 22CEWB003 is located on the southwestern edge of one of the two AMT anomalies, resulting in the anomalous Co, Cu, Ni and Ag values in this hole being considered ‘significant’.
In addition, samples taken from the three drillholes have been dispatched for laboratory analysis, with results anticipated to be returned within the next four weeks.
Unfortunately, results for gold will only be available upon the return of laboratory assays due to the pXRF not analysing for this element, however the large presence of pyrite and the Ag readings provides support for the existence of gold mineralisation.
Dundas Minerals is a battery-minerals and gold focussed exploration company that is actively exploring the highly prospective southern Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia, with the company currently holding 12 contiguous exploration licences covering a total land holding of 1,201km-square in the region. All of the licences are wholly owned by Dundas Minerals and are located about 120km southwest of the Nova nickel mine.
With the initial results from recent drilling now returned, Dundas Minerals announces that it is expecting laboratory assays to be delivered within the next four weeks.
Images: Dundas Minerals Ltd
