Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) confirms the uplift of the basal portion of the Mulga Tank Complex to higher levels following reverse circulation (RC) and diamond tail drilling at its Mulga Tank Nickel-Cobalt-Copper Project in Western Australia.
Holes MTRC001 and MTRC083 to MTRC087 were drilled on the western margin to test for near-surface enriched basal horizons. Results show broad zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation with elevated nickel, sulphur, and chalcophile elements, which confirms that the southwestern section of the main body represents the most uplifted portion of the complex.
MTRC001 returned cumulative nickel sulphide mineralisation of 442m @ 0.26% nickel (Ni), 129 parts per million (ppm) cobalt (Co), 78ppm copper (Cu), and 27 parts per billion (ppb) platinum plus palladium (Pt+Pd) with a sulphur-to-nickel ratio of 1.4.
The hole included 74m @ 0.32% Ni, 142ppm Co, 115ppm Cu, and 31ppb Pt+Pd from 762m, including 23m @ 0.42% Ni from 812m.
Western Mines reports all holes were located on the western margin of the main body of the Mulga Tank Complex, and geochemical signatures confirm the uplift.
Combined with previous RC samples, assays for MTRC001 show cumulative nickel sulphide mineralisation of 171m @ 0.30% Ni, 134ppm Co, 57ppm Cu, and 30ppb Pt+Pd.
According to Western Mines, the RC holes show broad zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation. Other key cumulative results include:
- 79m @ 0.29% Ni, 113ppm Co, 34ppm Cu, and 53ppb Pt+Pd; plus a shallow zone of 24m @ 0.35% Ni, 140ppm Co, 103ppm Cu, and 0.16g/t Pt+Pd from 96m
- 169m @ 0.26% Ni, 125ppm Co, 54ppm Cu, and 24ppb Pt+Pd
- 124m @ 0.29% Ni, 115ppm Co, 11ppm Cu, and 6ppb Pt+Pd
- 98m @ 0.21% Ni, 117ppm Co, 74ppm Cu, and 20ppb Pt+Pd
Managing Director Caedmon Marriott says the results collectively support the idea that “the southwestern part of the main body represents the most uplifted portion of the complex”.
“They were designed to follow up-dip from holes MTD028 and MTRC011 and investigate whether enriched basal horizons could be intersected nearer surface,” Marriott says.
He adds that variations in mineralisation strength within the target horizons are expected.
“Modelling of the architecture of the complex in this southwestern area, combined with assay results, may help vector towards richer zones.”
Western Mines says its $250,000 in co-funding from the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme has also recently been increased to $300,000. Funds are earmarked for an active seismic survey at Mulga Tank, set to begin late this month and finish in early to mid-October.
Western Mines Group is a mineral explorer holding gold and nickel sulphide deposits across a portfolio of projects located on Western Australia’s major mineral belts.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Western Mines Group
