공시 • Nov 08
Western Mines Group Ltd Updates Shareholders on Further Results from the Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-Pge Project, in Particular Hole MTD020
Western Mines Group Ltd. updated shareholders on further results from the Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project, in particular hole MTD020. MTD020 intersected a ~450m thick package of high MgO dunite ultramafic containing disseminated magmatic sulphides (trace to 2%) that coalesced into interstitial blebs towards the base of the unit (3 to 5% sulphide). The recent geochemical assay results confirm the potential for an extensive working mineral system for Type 2 Mt Keith-style disseminated sulphide mineralisation. MTD020 assay results show adcumulate-extreme adcumulate dunite down the length of the hole, averaging 45.0% MgO and 0.19% Al2O3 for all samples assayed. Best individual element results of up to 0.68% Ni, 0.036% Cu, 0.027% Co and 224ppb Pt+Pd were seen down the hole, with a continuous intersection of 175m at 0.27% Ni, 0.010% Cu, 0.015% Co and 21ppb Pt+Pd that also averaged 0.49% S. High S content seen in large parts of the hole and high correlation of Cu and PGE's with S content demonstrates a "live" mineral system with metals partitioning into sulphide liquid. Concentrations of these accessory metals show comparable concentrations to ore zones at Type 2 deposits such as Mt Keith and West Jordan. A comparison of nickel assay results by four acid versus aqua regia digest was undertaken, combined with the observation of high S:Ni ratios, suggests a high percentage of nickel in sulphide form versus silicate nickel. WMG completed a ten-hole diamond drilling program, totalling 3,990m, at the Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project between April and July this year. The program was designed to test a wide range of geological and geophysical drill targets from the Company's exploration targeting work (ASX, Major EM Targets Identified at Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project, 7 March 2022; Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project: Major Targets Drill Ready, 6 April 2022). The Company has previously announced results from the first five holes of the program (MTD012 to MTD016) (ASX, First Assay Results Confirm Ni-Cu-PGE Mineralisation, 15 August 2022; Further Ni-Cu-PGE Assay Results from Mulga Tank, 2 September 2022) and has recently received the final batches of geochemical results after a number of delays in processing the samples with a combination of techniques. These final batches contain a near complete profile down the entire length of hole MTD020. Sampling from other holes was limited to intervals where nickel sulphide blebs and veinlets were observed, or samples taken from the basal contact of each hole. The ninth hole of the program MTD020 was drilled to a total depth of 564.4m and was designed to test beneath historical hole MTD011 - hole MTD011 showed multiple indications of nickel sulphide mineralisation including of 1m at 1.95% Ni and 0.21g/t Pt+Pd from 103m, 1m at 0.83% Ni and 0.18g/t Pt+Pd from 114m and 0.5m at 1.18% Ni and 0.1g/t Pt+Pd from 211.7m. Hole MTD020 intersected 453.3m of variably altered dunite (from 65.7-519m), beneath 65.7m of sand cover (0-65.7m), before encountering a footwall of predominantly basalt at 519m depth. Two styles of visible nickel mineralisation were observed down the hole including remobilised nickel sulphide veins (pentlandite-pyrrhotite) and disseminated magmatic sulphides (pyrite-pyrrhotite-pentlandite). Disseminated sulphides (trace to 5% sulphide) occurred over in excess of 300m from 120 to 512m. Towards the base of dunite unit these disseminated sulphides coalesced into interstitial blebs (3-5% sulphide) between the olivine grains of the dunite (ASX, Disseminated Sulphides Seen Over >300m in Hole MTD020, 26 July 2022). Whilst hole MTD020 was mostly logged at variably altered ortho-mesocumulate dunite, geochemical characterisation using Al2O3 as a proxy for interstitial material shows it to be nearly entirely adcumulate to extremely adcumulate dunite with Al2O3 generally less than 0.5%. The dunite also showed an average MgO content of 45.0% (volatile free) across all samples from the logged ultramafic portion of the hole. This observation of extensive intersections of high MgO adcumulate dunite within the complex, starting essentially immediately under the sand cover, has positive implications for the targeting of large volume, low grade Type 2 Mt-Keith style disseminated nickel sulphide deposits within the Mulga Tank complex. The field observations of extensive intersections of visual disseminated sulphides are confirmed by a high S content averaging 0.45% S across all samples taken from the logged ultramafic portion of the hole, up to a maximum value of 1.61% S. A high correlation is seen with S content and the concentration of metals such as Cu and PGE's, suggesting a "live" chemical process with a sulphur saturated ultramafic magma forming immiscible sulphide liquid into which these elements preferentially partition. Best individual element results of up to 0.68% Ni, 0.036% Cu, 0.027% Co and 224ppb Pt+Pd were seen down the hole, with a continuous intersection of 175m at 0.27% Ni, 0.010% Cu, 0.015% Co and 21ppb Pt+Pd from 341m that averaged 0.49% S. These results are quoted on a volatile free basis and normalised based on Loss on Ignition (LOI) at 1000°C. A comparison of nickel assay results by four acid versus aqua regia was undertaken for 220 samples from 310m to 530m down the hole. Four acid is considered a near total digestion technique that breaks down most silicate and oxide minerals whereas aqua regia is considered a partial digestion technique that does not dissolve silicate minerals but does dissolve soluble sulphide minerals. The results from the two techniques show a high correlation and similar values for nickel. Combined with the observation of high S:Ni ratios, the results suggest a high percentage of nickel in sulphide form versus silicate nickel. The Company is planning a second phase of drilling that is scheduled to commence on the last weekend of November. Currently six holes have been planned for total of around 4,000-5,000m. The Company will update shareholders on the drilling plans once the final drill targeting work has been completed.