New geochemical assay results have confirmed the discovery of both nickel in sulphides and gold in a recent hole drilled at Toro Energy Limited’s (ASX: TOE) Yandal Gold Project in Western Australia.
The promising geochemical assay results come from the 2019 maiden RC drilling programme, with the hole located at the western limits of the Christmas Target Area at Yandal.
Toro said nickel sulphides were intersected over at least 3m starting at the base of a Komatiite-ultramafic where fingers of massive sulphide were found in drill chips over 1m from 177m downhole.
The bulk geochemistry of the 1m that contained the fingers of massive sulphide returned 0.38% nickel and 6% sulphur, while hand held portable XRF (hh_pXRF) analysis of chips of the massive sulphide showed they may contain up to 1.7% nickel locally.
Gold mineralisation over 10m was intersected directly beneath the nickel, grading 0.36g/t from 182m downhole inclusive of 2m at 0.57g/t from 188m and 1m at 1.3g/t from 188m.
The highest grade gold was associated with significant quartz veining with carbonate. Silver (Ag), with grades of up to 2.6g/t (over 1m from 203m downhole) was also a prominent geochemical feature of the contact zone.
The gold intersection of up to 1.3g/t Au, along with extensive pyrite and potassic-hematite alteration and quartz-carbonate veining and silicification is a strong indication that significant gold mineralisation may be present nearby and that gold deposits at granite-greenstone contacts, common in the Yilgarn and present in the Yandal, are a genuine consideration for exploration on the Project.
Toro is now actively planning follow-up exploration on the Yandal Gold Project, including further drilling around the discovery hole, both at depth and along strike. The search for conductors via ground electromagnetic (EM) and downhole EM surveying is being considered for future nickel exploration. Analysis of the full geochemistry is ongoing for the Golden Ways target area with results expected to be reported in the coming weeks.
Toro’s 100% owned Yandal Gold Project is located within the world class gold district, the Yandal Greenstone Belt, less than 35km NE of the multi-million ounce Bronzewing Gold Mine. The Yandal Gold Project is also only some 50km east of the world class Mt Keith Nickel Mine.
The project is considered by the company to be a rare opportunity for potential greenfields discoveries within a mature gold district. Aggressive gold exploration operations are currently being undertaken by other companies on adjacent ground, such as those of Echo Resources Ltd and Yandal Resources Ltd.