Perth-based explorer NickelSearch (ASX:NIS) has confirmed and extended nickel mineralisation through 10 reverse circulation (RC) drillholes completed at the B1 and Serendipity targets within its Carlingup Nickel Sulphide Project in Western Australia
The company, in which Medallion Metals (ASX:MM8) holds a 15.1% interest, reports 7 holes drilled for 1,108m at B1 aimed to validate and extend the nickel mineralisation identified in historical drilling, while 3 holes were drilled for 456m at Serendipity to test the ultrafine soil sampling anomalies.
NickelSearch says the mineralisation at B1 appears to form a shoot on a predictable planar surface, dipping very steeply to the southwest and occurring as disseminated sulphides in altered cumulate ultramafics.
The company is planning to conduct downhole electromagnetic surveys (DHEM) on selected holes in this region to locate conductors that could indicate the presence of matrix or massive sulphides. The results of the DHEM will allow for an improved understanding of the direction of mineralisation.
At Serendipity, the cumulative ultramafic was the prime target for drilling. The company notes DHEM will now be completed as a ‘critical’ next step to identify off-hole conductors for nickel sulphides. Drillhole samples from both targets are also currently with the laboratory for assay.
Additionally, NickelSearch reports it also drilled the recently discovered RAV8 South target as part of its RC program. DHEM will now be completed at RAV8 South to assist in targeting massive new sulphide pods.
The company reports the RC rig is now drilling a pre-collar at RAV8 South and will then move to the Sexton target to drill 2 pre-collars prior to diamond drilling, set to begin in early June 2023.
The planned diamond hole at RAV8 South will test for down-plunge extensions to the deposit, while diamond drilling at Sexton will follow up massive sulphides intersected earlier in the year that contained ‘significant’ nickel mineralisation. NickelSearch says DHEM surveys demonstrate this mineralisation extends down-plunge and remains open.
Commenting on the results, NickelSearch Managing Director Nicole Duncan says: “We have intersected visual sulphide nickel mineralisation and expanded the extent of the nickel mineralisation at B1. The historical drilling intersected nickel sulphides at over 1% nickel, so we are happy to be improving our understanding of the geology and architecture.
“We know we are in the right setting for nickel sulphides and are keen to follow up with diamond drilling in early June”
We know we are in the right setting for nickel sulphides and are keen to follow up with diamond drilling in early June. These are fantastic results for NickelSearch’s maiden drilling at B1 and Serendipity.”
NickelSearch is a dedicated Western Australian nickel sulphide explorer focused on advancing its flagship Carlingup Nickel Project near Ravensthorpe in Western Australia.
Carlingup hosts an existing resource base of 155,000 tonnes of contained nickel and lies within the same greenstone corridor as IGO’s (ASX:IGO) Forrestania nickel mining complex, adjacent to Canada-based miner First Quantum Minerals’ (TSX:FM) Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation.
Write to Harry Mulholland at Mining.com.au
Images: NickelSearch Ltd
