Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX: GAL) has released promising assay results from its recent drilling campaign at the Norseman project in Western Australia. The results bolster confidence in the area’s potential to host significant palladium-platinum mineralisation, while upcoming drilling will target newly identified zones that remain untested.
Strong Assay Results Point to Extensive Mineralisation
The company’s Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling has highlighted wide zones of anomalous palladium, platinum, and gold (collectively referred to as 3E). Key intersections include:
- 36 metres at 0.14 g/t 3E from 128 metres (NRC501)
- 20 metres at 0.18 g/t 3E from 180 metres (NRC502)
- 8 metres at 0.21 g/t 3E from 128 metres (NRC505)
These results underscore the potential for multiple mineralisation styles within the Norseman tenement, with drilling targeting both Callisto-style mineralisation at the base of intrusive sills and mineralisation at the contact between mafic and ultramafic rocks. Galileo’s Managing Director, Brad Underwood, commented, "These results are highly encouraging as they display how widely distributed the mineralisation is within our Norseman project area. Our ground has never been systematically explored for palladium-platinum mineralisation, and we are the first to realise the potential of this region".
Mission Sill Prospect: A Key Target
The company’s exploration efforts are now turning towards the Mission Sill prospect, a mafic-ultramafic complex that runs parallel to the Callisto deposit. Recent geological mapping and geochemical analysis have identified a 10-kilometre untested strike length at the base of the intrusive sill. This zone is of particular interest as it shares geological similarities with the Callisto deposit, which has already demonstrated the potential for palladium-nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Positive early indications from the Mission Sill include results from drilling conducted in early 2022, with highlights such as:
- 8 metres at 1.44 g/t palladium and platinum (NAC151)
- 20 metres at 0.32 g/t palladium and platinum (NAC149)
The identification of this fertile zone has sparked plans for a 5,000-metre aircore drilling program, scheduled to commence in November 2024. This program will target palladium, platinum, and nickel enrichment along the strike length of the Mission Sill.
Expanding on Callisto’s Success
Galileo’s 100%-owned Norseman project is best known for the discovery of the Callisto deposit in 2022, which has been pivotal in establishing the area’s potential as a new source of palladium, platinum, nickel, copper, and cobalt. The Callisto deposit has a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate of 17.5 million tonnes at 1.04 g/t 4E (palladium, platinum, gold, and rhodium), along with 0.20% nickel and 0.16% copper.
The Norseman project is shaping up to be a significant PGE (platinum group elements) and base metals play in Western Australia, with Galileo holding 255 square kilometres of highly prospective ground. This includes several other regional prospects, such as Jimberlana and now the rapidly developing Mission Sill prospect.
Geophysics Supporting Exploration
In addition to drilling, Galileo has utilised a range of geophysical techniques to identify further targets. Downhole electromagnetic (EM) surveying and Induced Polarisation (IP) methods have successfully identified zones of disseminated sulphides, some of which correspond to anomalous palladium and platinum levels. This has provided confidence in the use of geophysics as a tool for guiding exploration, particularly in identifying the geological positions most likely to host economic mineralisation.
Next Steps: November Drilling Campaign
The next phase of exploration at Norseman will kick off in November with a 5,000-metre aircore drilling campaign targeting the Mission Sill. This program will focus on testing the basal unit of the Mission Sill, where geological conditions are considered highly favourable for Callisto-style sulphide deposits.
With further exploration of these underexplored zones, Galileo is poised to extend its understanding of the Norseman project’s mineralisation. The company’s methodical approach, leveraging both geophysical and geochemical data, is likely to yield more exciting results as drilling progresses.
Galileo Mining’s exploration at Norseman continues to deliver positive results, with the latest assays showing broad zones of palladium and platinum mineralisation. As the company gears up for its next drilling campaign, the potential for a significant discovery at the Mission Sill prospect is tantalisingly close. With both Callisto and Mission Sill showing strong geological similarities, the November drill program could be a pivotal moment for Galileo in unlocking the region’s mineral wealth.
