Miramar Resources Limited (ASX:M2R) has obtained further significant PGE results from re-assay of selected aircore holes at its 80%-owned Gidji JV Project in the eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.
Re-analysis of multiple aircore holes has produced further significant platinum (Pt) and/or palladium (Pd) assays associated with high nickel (Ni) and/or copper (Cu) results, increasing the potential for the presence of nickel sulphide mineralisation.
The Gidji JV Project is located approximately 15km north of Kalgoorlie and, aside from the significant gold discovery potential, contains multiple ultramafic units, including the “Highway Ultramafic” which hosts the historic Scotia nickel mine and Auroch Minerals Limited’s “Saints” nickel deposit.
Miramar’s Executive Chairman, Allan Kelly, said the new PGE results were highly significant when assessing the potential for discovery of nickel sulphide mineralisation at Gidji.
“The local geology of the Gidji JV Project is very similar to that seen at Scotia, with a steep westerly dipping sequence of mafic and ultramafic rocks, including the Highway Ultramafic unit, above a footwall sequence of sediments and/or basalt,” he said.
“High nickel, by itself, is not a good indicator of nickel sulphide mineralisation but can instead be a result of the high background nickel content in the ultramafic stratigraphy and/or of lateritic weathering,” he said.
“The combination of elevated nickel and copper with elevated PGE results, however, is strongly suggestive of a relationship between the higher nickel results and a nickel sulphide source,” he added.
Further Significant PGE results
Following the recognition of elevated Pt and Pd results from re-assay of a limited number of aircore holes with high Ni and/or Cu assays, the company recently completed further re-assaying of multiple additional aircore holes.
Multiple additional significant Pt and/or Pd results are seen related to two ultramafic units, with combined assays up to 200ppb.
Next Steps
As a result of the extensive surficial cover, and the lack of any outcrop, there has been minimal previous nickel exploration within the Gidji Project tenements.
The company has now outlined at least two prospective basal contact targets, on the eastern side of the Highway Ultramafic unit, and a second ultramafic unit further to the west.
Miramar is planning to cover these highly prospective nickel targets with a ground electromagnetic (EM) survey, followed by RC and/or diamond drilling of the basal contact targets.