Mineral resource exploration company Lunnon Metals (ASX:LM8) reports it has received the last ‘high priority’ assay results following a diamond drilling (DD) discovery program at the Baker Shoot, as part of its Kambalda Nickel (Ni) Project (KNP) in Western Australia.
The delivered results represent the final batch of assays from the recent drilling program, having been delayed by the requirement to complete geotechnical logging and rock property testwork for future technical and mine planning studies.
‘Significant’ intercepts from these last drillholes include, 0.75m at 10.84% Ni, 0.25% copper (Cu), 0.14% cobalt (Co), 2.05g/t palladium (Pd) and 1.38g/t platinum (Pt) from 211.2m (ECO22DD_017) and 0.50m at 11.52% Ni, 0.46% Cu, 0.16% Co, 1.26g/t Pd and 0.43g/t Pt from 93.5m (ECO22DD_013).
The recently completed drilling campaign commenced to infill and extend the initial JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), which recorded an initial total of 15,800t Ni at 2.8% Ni.
Speaking on the results, Lunnon Metals Managing Director, Ed Ainscough said: “With the drilling assay results all back now, our focus turns to the Mineral Resource update which will be the ultimate test of the success of this infill program. Being able to complete an update so soon after reporting the initial MRE in June this year is testament to Blue Spec Drilling and the site team’s ability to have safely drilled 15km of RC and over 4.4km of diamond drilling at Baker since we listed.
“This achievement has dramatically increased our knowledge of the geology and, most importantly, the distribution of the best thicknesses and nickel grades at Baker”
This achievement has dramatically increased our knowledge of the geology and, most importantly, the distribution of the best thicknesses and nickel grades at Baker, vital data for planning potential future mining activities with the best outcomes for shareholders in mind.”
Lunnon Metals also notes that all reported intervals were at the locality and depth predicted by the June 2022 MRE, however drillhole ECO22DD_018 recorded better widths and grades than expected.
This particular drillhole returned a peak intercept of 0.60m at 10.53% Ni, 1.14% Cu, 0.16% Co, 1.22g/t Pd and 0.76g/t Pt from 197.75m.
It is also reported that throughout the drilling program that elevated Co, Pd and Pt values were recorded where the intercepted Ni grades were highest.
In addition, diamond drillholes ECO22DD_006, 008W1, 011, 013, 014, 017 and 077 fall on various different sections, which indicate a continuation of nickel surface mineralisation to the east beyond the boundaries of the June 2022 MRE.
Lunnon Metals is a mineral resource exploration company with a mission of becoming the owner of sufficient nickel mineral resources via discovery and development. The company’s Kambalda project is located within WA’s Kambalda Nickel District, which extends for more than 70km south of the township of Kambalda, and comprises 2 parcels of 19 and 20 contiguous granted mining leases that cover a total land area of 47km-square. Lunnon Metals currently holds 100% interest in the associated mineral rights of the project’s Foster and Baker elements.
With the final results from the DD program now received, Lunnon Metals announces it has moved forward with geological interpretation and modelling of the results in order to deliver an update to the MRE scheduled for December this year.
Images: iStock
