Battery metals exploration company Kuniko (ASX:KNI) has launched a 3-prong drilling program targeting copper, nickel, and cobalt mineralisation at its Ertelien, Skuterud, and Undal-Nyberget projects in Norway.
The company says a 5-hole diamond drilling (DD) program for 1,200m to 1,500m at Ertelien has begun aiming to verify the existing work from previous explorers to form a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
The drilling program is expected to provide new data which will improve the understanding of geological controls on mineralisation at Ertelien.
Kuniko anticipates assay results for 4 boreholes (2 at Ertelien, and 2 at the Langedalen prospect) resampled in late 2022 to be returned and reported during February.
These assays will be used to update the project’s mineral resource, as well as for a geochemical comparison between intrusions and mineralisation aiming to develop an exploration criteria for other targets across the region.
This program is expected to be carried out throughout February and March with a planned 2,500m across 10 holes. This program is a continuation of a previous drilling program that intersected cobalt mineralisation to the northeast of the historic Middagshvile mine workings in hole KNI_MDV008.
This drilling will improve the understanding of both physical and grade continuity, which will be used in future drill planning.
Kuniko also reports the drills will then move to the Undal-Nyberget Project in March, targeting 2 ‘strong’ conductors known as Myrmalm and Øyasætra. The company says both of these ‘highly prospective’ targets show along-strike electromagnetic geophysical continuity with outcropping sulphide mineralisation.
Drilling here will be split between the 2 targets based on geological observations made as drilling progresses. Kuniko has planned an initial 5 holes at Myrmalm, and 3 at Øyasætra.
Commenting on the drilling program, Kuniko Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Antony Beckmand says: “We are excited to commence a maiden drilling program at the brownfield Ertelien Nickel Project, located on our Ringerike licence area. This first phase of drilling will develop the potential for a nickel resource at the site and leverage available exploration data and drilling of previous explorers.
“This first phase of drilling will develop the potential for a nickel resource at the site and leverage available exploration data and drilling of previous explorers”
Drilling activity will then ramp-up at the Skuterud Cobalt Project and build upon the success of the maiden drilling campaign. Having proven the project is ripe for cobalt mineralisation through intercepts in all drillholes at our priority targets, this additional drilling along the mineralised trend will now test the potential for scalable cobalt-copper mineralisation.
In March, drilling continues with a maiden drilling program at the Undal-Nyberget Copper Project in Norway’s prolific copper belt, where we will aim a drill rig at our 2 highest priority targets. Our geochemistry, geological mapping, and geophysics work are aligned to deliver these high-confidence targets prospective for copper mineralisation.
Our drilling programs will be a catalyst for unlocking the upside potential of these assets and continue to position Kuniko as a front runner in the further development of a low-carbon European battery metals supply chain.”
Kuniko is a Norwegian copper, nickel and cobalt developer following a ‘strict’ mandate to maintain a net-zero carbon footprint throughout exploration, development, and production across its projects.
Images: Kuniko Ltd
