Chalice Mining Limited (ASX: CHN) has received Government of Western Australia approval for the Stage 3 Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and Programme of Work (PoW) for exploration drilling across the full >30km interpreted strike length of the Julimar Complex at its 100%-owned Julimar Nickel-Copper-PGE Exploration Project in Western Australia.
Low-impact drilling is expected to commence shortly and will include a targeted program of exploration diamond drilling at the untested Torres, Jansz and Baudin targets, additional exploration drilling at Hooley, plus a broad program of shallow air-core (AC) drilling across the entirety of the complex.
The aim of the diamond drilling programme is to assess the potential for high grade Ni-Cu-PGE discoveries, with the AC programme focused on evaluating the full extent of prospective ultramafic- mafic geology across the complex and defining additional targets for drill testing.
The initial priority target for diamond drilling is a new coherent Ni-Cr+/-Cu soil anomaly immediately west of the Torres target, which is coincident with a ~2.5km long magnetic anomaly. This is interpreted to be in a similar stratigraphic position to the prospective Hooley Prospect, where high-grade sulphide mineralisation has been intersected in the previous phase of drilling.
Drilling is expected to continue for at least six months, with approval received for reconnaissance exploration drilling over the full >30km of strike length.
The PoW and CMP set out strict environmental management and monitoring requirements that will apply to drilling activities. Importantly, all drilling will be constrained entirely to existing access tracks and non-vegetated areas to avoid impacts to the environment.
The majority of the Julimar Complex lies beneath a portion of the Julimar State Forest, a ~29,000ha area administered by the Government of WA under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984. Exploration may be permitted within State Forest areas with the approval of the Western Australian Minister for Environment and Minister for Mines, subject to normal regulatory approval processes.
The Julimar Exploration Project surrounds the Gonneville Deposit – a significant greenfield Ni-Cu-PGE discovery made by Chalice in 2020. The Julimar Exploration Project is part of the Company’s regional exploration portfolio in the new West Yilgarn Province and is being progressed separately to the development of the Gonneville Project (at Pre-Feasibility Study stage)..
