Killi Resources Limited (ASX: KLI) has received further positive drill results from the diamond drill hole completed at the West Tanami Project, Kimberley region of Western Australia. Magmatic copper mineralisation in the form of the mineral chalcopyrite was observed in drill core during the programme, with assays now confirmed with the zone of massive sulphides returning 4.2m @ 728ppm Cu, 58ppm Co and 0.46g/t Ag including 0.6m @ 2,730ppm Cu, 114.5ppm Co, & 1.23g/t Ag.
The discovery of a copper mineralised magmatic system in the Tanami is the first of its kind within the region,” CEO, Kathryn Cutler, said.
“This result highlights the potential for magmatic sulphide systems at the Project, which could host Ni-Cu-Co deposits.
“Magmatic units within the Tanami region are particularly underexplored, with no recorded cases of copper mineralisation currently on file, until now. These rocks were formed in the Proterozoic period, with multiple Ni-Cu-Co sulphide deposits in Western Australia of a similar age, such as Nova-Bollinger and Nebo-Babel. Mineral exploration at these truly remote greenfield projects leverages the Company to unique opportunities, like this, which includes the discovery of a new commodity in a known province.”
Fox – Magmatic Sulphide potential
Geological logging identified a mafic unit from 818m to 888m (~70m width) with grainsize decreasing with depth. Within the mafic unit a 10m zone (834.1m – 844.6m) of significantly increased sulphides (pyrrhotite & chalcopyrite) grading from disseminated-semi-massive sulphides down hole.
Laboratory assays have been received and confirm within the 10m zone copper, cobalt and silver anomalism. The assays returned 4.2m @ 728ppm Cu, 58ppm Co and 0.46g/t Ag from 839m, including 0.6m @ 2,730ppm Cu, 114.5ppm Co, & 1.23g/t Ag from 840.8m, with cobalt and silver often associated with magmatic systems.
Multiple mafic units were logged downhole from 25-74m (49m), 306-364m (28m), 746-770m (24m) and 818-888m (70m), suggesting there is a significant opportunity to explore the magmatic potential.
Little is known about the mafics of the Tanami region, with this intercept being the first confirmed result of magmatic copper mineralisation in the district. The diamond hole was completed with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) as part of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), where the company received a 50% refund on drilling costs associated with TMDD0001. The drill hole was competed to a total depth of 890.4m, on a shallow angle to transect and define the stratigraphy of the prospect.
Lithology, structural and geochemical data has determined the prospect to be within the Dead Bullock Formation of the Tanami stratigraphy. This formation, highly prospective for orogenic gold, and now with this result, highlights an opportunity for magmatic sulphide mineralisation.
Soils completed at Fox, confirm copper anomalism at surface (>25ppm Cu) (3x background Cu values) interpreted to be associated with the mafic units intersected from the aircore programme.
Review of historical rock chips at Fox have identified five samples which have returned greater than 100ppm Cu. These rock chips align with the soil anomalies generated by Killi and highlight additional targets to follow-up.
Future exploration
Based on the current understanding and research completed the company believes a geophysical electromagnetic and/or gravity survey will be the most useful exploration method to generate potential sulphide targets, to be drill tested in the coming field season. The samples which returned anomalous Cu-Co-Ag will also be analysed for platinum and palladium to further add to the picture of the mafics.
The company is also planning exploration programmes to test the gold and rare earth targets generated from the soil and aircore programmes at the project in 2022.