Newly listed NickelSearch Limited (ASX: NIS) has commenced its maiden drill programme at the Carlingup Project located approximately 20 km east of the regional town of Ravensthorpe in Western Australia.
The initial focus of the drilling programme is on the RAV8 deposit which is the most advanced project within NickelSearch’s portfolio and has historically produced 16.1kt Ni at 3.45%from four principal shoots.
The massive sulphide shoots, now mined out to a depth of approximately 300m, are surrounded and overlain by a large, disseminated nickel halo. This largely unmined mineralised halo with an inferred JORC (2012) Mineral Resource of 13.2Mt @ 0.60% Ni for 75.1kt Ni is the primary focus for the current drill plan.
The aim of the Phase 1 drill plan is:
- Resource and extension drilling targeting near-surface potential that focus on higher-grade areas with the objective of achieving a higher JORC classification within any future pit cut- back. For example, west of Shoot 1 and north of Shoot 3 at shallow depths.
- Test new areas outside of the existing resource to the east and downdip of current nickel sulphide mineralisation. For example, south of Shoot 1 at depth.
- Exploration potential with no historical production and very little drilling information. For example, the potential for a new shoot east of Shoot 4.
Managing Director, Craig Moulton,said he initial phase of drilling, utilising a Reverse Circulation rig, will comprise 11 holes for approximately 1,900m of an approximately 4000m programme.
In addition to providing assays for Ni, Co, Cu and PGEs the drilling will also provide material for preliminary bioleaching metallurgical test work.
As part of the company’s efforts to upgrade the JORC resource classification, a series of historical diamond holes with insufficient sampling have been selected and recovered that will be resampled to provide a more comprehensive assay database including QAQC.
We are pleased that the drilling programme at the Carlingup Nickel Project has started so soon after listing on Monday. I am confident that this maiden drill programme commencing at the RAV8 deposit will confirm and extend the known nickel sulphide system,” Mr Moultonsaid.
