Ardea Resources Limited (ASX:ARL) has commenced a drilling campaign to test high priority conductor nickel sulphide drill targets at the Emu Lake Prospect, 70km north-east of Kalgoorlie.
The Prospect contains a sequence of ultramafic flows with proven, Silver Swan/Kambalda-style basal flow nickel sulphide potential. Previous drilling intersected several thin massive nickel- sulphide horizons over 400m of strike, including: 2.0m @ 6.2% Ni and 1.78% Cufrom 336.0m; and 1.6m @ 3.7% Ni and 1.33% Cufrom 320.6m.
Managing Director, Andrew Penkethman, said these high-grade results demonstrate significant nickel sulphide fertility and highlight project prospectivity.
The current drilling will test a strong (2,000S) down- hole electromagnetic (DHEM) anomaly, 300m below the surface, remodelled from surveys conducted by previous operators in 2010. The rig will then move to Ardea’s recent gold discoveries at Zeus and Lily Albany before returning to Emu Lake after DHEM surveys have been completed.
Mr Penkethman said Ardea’s main focus continues to be the development of the Goongarrie Nickel Cobalt Project (GNCP), the 25km long series of nickel-cobalt laterite deposits within the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project (KNP) on the Goldfields Highway 70km northwest of Kalgoorlie.
However, he noted that the company’s strategic tenure in the heart of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia is also highly prospective for both nickel sulphide and gold with active exploration complementing the development of the GNCP.
It is exciting to be drilling a high priority Silver Swan/Kambalda-style nickel sulphide target at Emu Lake associated with a strong DHEM anomaly,” Mr Penkethman said.
“Discovery of extensive zones of high-grade nickel sulphide is the primary objective. DHEM surveys will also be completed to generate additional targets along this fertile belt, as Silver Swan/Kambalda- style nickel sulphide deposits tend to occur in clusters.
“The nickel sulphide exploration complements Ardea’s gold exploration and we are hoping to repeat the recent exploration success we have had at the Zeus and Lily Albany gold discoveries.
“As well as standalone sulphide concentrator operations, nickel sulphide feed additions have the ability to improve the KNP hydrometallurgical nickel laterite flow-sheet.”
Further DHEM surveys will be conducted on drill holes south and below the Binti Gossan zone as part of a larger program of work in this area, aiming to generate additional drill targets for near-term testing. As part of this programme, Ardea was recently awarded a WA State Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grant of up to $76,000, which will be put towards the drilling cost of one core hole in this area in 2021.
