Drilling has confirmed the prospectivity of the HEM2 target area at Adavale’s Kabanga Jirani nickel project in Tanzania following the intersection of visible sulphide zones.

The sulphide intersections within prospective mafic lithologies in holes RCDDKNE 004 and 005 at Kabanga NE – along with supporting portable XRF readings – confirm the prospective nature of the layered mafic and potentially ultramafic intrusion at HEM 2.

Adavale Resources (ASX:ADD) has cased both holes for down-hole electromagnetic surveys  and is currently drilling RCDDKNE 006 at the HEM 4 target area to a planned depth of about 500m.

It has also completed pre-collars for diamond drilling at the HEM 9 target area (Kabanga West).

“As we anticipated, the first two diamond drill holes completed at HEM 2 have intersected visible (disseminated and blebby) sulphides being the probable source of the EM conductors,” executive director David Riekie said.

“The holes have provided new critical geological information which suggests that this large, layered intrusion has been significantly rotated towards the west and that the more primitive (and potentially nickel sulphide rich basal footwall) part of the intrusion lies at depth further to the east.

“Coupled with the fact the HEM 2 intrusion is clearly sulphur-rich, this justifies exploration efforts to locate and test for the basal position of the intrusion. DHEM will be conducted on all drill holes to further understand potential sulphide-rich portions of the basal contact.”

HEM 2 drilling

The two holes at HEM 2 were drilled in a “scissor” pattern to target several modelled EM conductors located towards the western margin of the strong (4.5mGal) gravity anomaly that was originally identified by Adavale in 2021.

Both have provided confirmation of broad igneous layering within the host intrusion which implies that there may be a more primitive underlying portion.

The settling of sulphides (via simple gravity) also makes the basal portions of intrusions the most likely trap sites for sulphides to accumulate if they are present.

Analysis of results to date indicates that the intrusion at HEM 2 has been rotated (titled) at least 60 – 70 degrees to the west after it was placed and therefore the more primitive and potentially nickel sulphide rich base of the intrusion is located at depth further to the east.

Plans are currently being developed to refocus exploration to test this interpretation.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Adavale Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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