Lunnon Metals Limited (ASX: LM8) has hit intersections of 14m @ 8.13% Ni & in its drilling programme at the Baker Shoot, part of the Kambalda Nickel Project (KNP) in Western Australia.
Baker was discovered and progressed to a JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource totalling 15,800t nickel metal @ 2.8% Ni within nine months of discovery and inside 12 months of Lunnon Metals’ listing on the ASX.
First results from the programme of over 8,000m RC drilling and 3,000m diamond drilling were reported on June11, 2022.
The programme is infilling and extending the recent June 2022 Mineral Resource Estimation (MRE). RC drill hole ECO22RC_048 is on the first infill line of drilling (section 6,531,180mN) and was subject to additional verification due to the significant widths and grades encountered.
Above a 1.0% Ni cut off the hole recorded: 23m @ 6.78% Ni, 0.45% Cu, 0.12% Co, 0.98g/t Pd, 0.26g/t Pt (134m) including: – 14m @ 8.13% Ni, 0.53% Cu, 0.14% Co, 1.13g/t Pd, 0.31 g/t Pt (134m); – an intervening 2m of komatiite grading less than 0.50% Ni; and – 7m @ 5.92% Ni, 0.40% Cu, 0.11% Co, 0.96g/t Pd, 0.24g/t Pt (150m).
As part of the verification process for this outstanding intersection, a downhole wireline optical survey was conducted. The optical survey results clearly show the contacts of the nickel mineralisation for the hanging wall position (Base of Flow or BOF), the intervening lower grade komatiite and then a second nickel sulphide intersection on the western shear, where mineralisation is interpreted to be remobilised.
The location of both intersections is predicted by the recent June 2022 Baker MRE however the results are a significant improvement on the width and grade modelled locally in that exercise.
Another stand out result for Baker – the run of five consecutive metres over 10% Ni really is the ‘cherry on top.’ Following the results reported last week from this same section, the fact that Baker has the ability to deliver these nickel grades over such impressive widths and all so close to surface, is exciting for the entire Lunnon Metals team and naturally, of course, for our shareholders,” Managing Director, Ed Ainscough, said.
Next Steps
The current drill programme is infilling the MRE on 20m spaced sections in key areas for later mine design purposes. It is also looking to convert Inferred mineralisation to an Indicated level of confidence and extend the Inferred Resource, both down plunge and to the northeast, where the MRE is currently open.
The scope of the metallurgical and geotechnical work, which commenced on the limited diamond core available prior to the completion of the MRE, will be expanded to accommodate the significant thicknesses and elevated nickel grades recorded in this first round of results.
To that end, the planning and placement of upcoming diamond drill holes will be adjusted to acquire the requisite volume of sample necessary to appropriately reflect the mineralised domains now being encountered.