NickelSearch (ASX:NIS) has uncovered shallow nickel sulphides following a maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Sexton prospect within its Carlingup Project in Western Australia.
The results, generated by 4 RC holes for 487m of drilling completed at the Carlingup Nickel Sulphide Project, confirm that massive sulphides seen in drilling contain ‘significant’ mineralisation.
NickelSearch, of which Medallion Metals (ASX:MM8) currently holds a 15.1% stake in the company, reports downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys conducted on these holes demonstrate increased conductivity continues down-plunge at Sexton with conductance up to 50,000 siemens, as well as a ‘strong’ off-hole conductor.
DHEM surveys also show that mineralisation extends down-plunge and up to 150m, with mineralisation remaining open.
Key intercepts include hole 23NRC009 with 3m @ 1.11% nickel (Ni), 0.2% copper (Cu), 460 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co) from 39m; hole 23NRC011 with 3m @ 1.04% Ni, 0.09% Cu, 273ppm Co from 72m; and hole 23NRC012 with 8m @ 0.63% Ni, 0.16% Cu, 258ppm Co and 204ppm platinum group metals (PGM) from 121m including 1m @ 1.03% Ni, 0.17% Cu, 277ppm Co and 332ppm PGM from 125m.
Follow-up drilling is planned to test the ‘strong’ conductivity down-plunge where results demonstrate an increasing width of nickel mineralisation, as well as target the off-hole conductor and continuation of mineralisation up-plunge to surface.
Speaking on the results, NickelSearch Managing Director Nicole Duncan says: “We continue to be very encouraged that Sexton has the potential to progress into a significant nickel discovery. The assay results alongside the modelled DHEM plates suggest mineralisation extends at depth and down-plunge. The very high conductivity of the DHEM plates also highlights the potential to intersect a high-grade channel, which will be a key focus for follow-up drilling.
“The very high conductivity of the DHEM plates also highlights the potential to intersect a high-grade channel, which will be a key focus for follow-up drilling”
Assays from the recent drilling and the success of the DHEM surveys gives us confidence in continuing with systematically testing our 30+ greenfields targets defined across Carlingup. Sexton is a great indicator of the ability of Carlingup to host nickel sulphide mineralisation, and possibly represents the edge of increased mineralisation.
We look forward to commencing follow-up drilling at Sexton and maiden RC drill programs at greenfields targets Serendipity, B1, Lipple and Wadley in Q2 CY2023.”
The company also notes that all 4 RC holes intersected nickel-bearing massive sulphides, and that all holes are coincidental with a historic drill section of 2m @ 1.2% Ni and 0.17% Cu from 98m.
In addition, drilling is reported to have also intersected interpreted thin sheet flows in the flanking komatiitic flow environment, which leads to the belief that a potential thicker massive sulphide filled channel is nearby.
With results from the maiden RC drilling now returned, NickelSearch announces follow-up diamond drilling (DD) will be conducted at Sexton in conjunction with planned RC drilling which will target priority one targets at the Serendipity, B1, Lippe, and Wadley deposits within the coming months.
Medallion Metals is based in Perth, Western Australia with a portfolio of projects situated about 500km southeast of the city within the world-class Southern Cross greenstone belt and the Albany Fraser Orogen.
Images: NickelSearch Ltd
