Dreadnought Resources‘ first hole into the Bookathanna North prospect has struck 14 metres of nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation as RC drilling continues over the Money Intrusion, part of its Mangaroon Ni-Cu-PGE joint venture with First Quantum Minerals in Western Australia.
The strike included 12 metres of disseminated sulphides and two metres of what appear to be high-tenor massive sulphides, comprised of 40 to 50 per cent combined pentlandite and chalcopyrite in equal measure.
Fertile Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide systems are exceedingly rare, and high tenor magmatic mineralisation had already been proven.
And now with a massive sulphide intercept on its hands, Dreadnought have rushed samples to the lab and mobilised downhole electromagnetic crews to the site.
Dreadnought Managing Director Dean Tuck said with its rare earth drilling programs completed for now, its attention had turned to a discovery-focused campaign for other commodities – with an exciting early result.
The intersection of shallow, high tenor massive sulphides in the first hole of this program is truly exciting and a great way to set the tone for the remainder of 2023. We are excited to return to the highly prospective Ni-Cu-PGE targets defined at Bookathanna North and High Range with our partners at First Quantum Minerals,” Mr Tuck said.
Expanding drilling
The company’s $20 billion market cap earn-in partner is fully funding what was planned as a five-hole 1000 metre program, directed at five strong electromagnetic conductors consistent with high tenor, massive and net textured sulphide bodies.
But with this result in the books, Dreadnought is now planning additional holes at Bookathanna North, previously interpreted to represent a massive sulphide accumulation in a shallow keel position.
Conductors have shown up to 37,000S and outcropping blebby sulphides confirmed over significant portions of the 45-kilometre-long Money Intrusion, and the rig will soon move to the High Range prospect to test three more conductors and already-proven mineralisation.
