Amid completing the third phase of its reverse circulation drilling program, Western Mines Group (ASX:WMG) has shifted its focus to a regional drilling program at the Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia.
The regional reverse circulation program will comprise five holes for 2,000m, testing the interpreted komatiite channels and targets on the Mingiwal Greenstone Belt.
Western Mines, which has a market capitalisation of $22.65 million, says these holes will form part of the first belt-wide drilling program to begin testing the interpreted komatiite channel system emanating from the main part of the complex in a northwest direct up the Mingiwal Belt.
The holes will aim to confirm the interpreted geology and also the prospectivity of the channels to host high-grade Kambalda-style massive sulphide mineralisation.
The rig is currently mud rotary drilling the pre-collars for the remaining holes, with the reverse circulation drilling expected to restart later this month.
Meanwhile, the company recently completed its third phase drilling program comprising 19 holes for 6,002m of reverse circulation drilling. The majority of the holes were designed to test to the south of the previous core area of drilling and in particular to follow-up on holes MTRC032 and MTRC038.
Results from the latest drilling programs undertaken at Mulga Tank have shown “significant” nickel sulphide mineralisation and an extensive nickel sulphide mineral system within the ultramafic complex.
Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott says the company has made steady progress on the drilling at Mulga Tank and once the regional drilling is completed, Western Mines will begin the final reverse circulation program.
“Samples from each of these holes have been submitted to the lab on the completion of each hole and we expect to start to see a regular flow of results start coming through in the next few weeks,” Marriott says.
Meanwhile, during August 2024, Western Mines completed a multi-hole downhole electromagnetic survey. Results from the survey uncovered anomalies associated with the visual sulphide mineralisation observed in each of the holes.
The results from holes MTRC015 and MTRC018 in particular are being further investigated. The company says these holes will possibly be re-entered and drilling extended to target off-end of hole anomalies and to better define the anomalies uncovered.
Marriott says this DHEM survey was the most “successful” survey completed to date, in terms of holes able to be surveyed.
“Anomalies were seen, generally relating to visual sulphide mineralisation observed, in each of the holes.”
The company notes initial metallurgical testwork on bulk sample material from MTD029 remains ongoing.
The Mulga Tank Project is considered prospective for nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group elements. The project lies in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Western Mines Group
