Pic: Kevin C. Cox via Getty Images
Adavale’s 24,000 station gravity survey could be a game changer at Kabanga Jirani nickel
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Gravity surveying has already proven a game changer for nickel explorer Adavale Resources at its Kabanga Jirani project in Tanzania.
Little wonder then that Adavale Resources (ASX:ADD) has launched a major survey over 1000km2 of its expansive African nickel project after the technique delivered key exploration discoveries last year.
The initial focus will be on the highly prospective Luhuma corridor after Adavale’s Target 7 drill success in late 2021.
That prospect showed 248m of fine-grain disseminated sulphides to the end of a 330.9m deep hole, with XRF readings of up to 1.7% nickel and 24% magnesium oxide, typical of the mafic-ultramafic intrusions that often host major nickel deposits.
After uncovering the gravity anomaly last year, Adavale hopes that success can be replicated by identifying future mafic-ultramafic intrusive targets in a radically expanded survey.
Station to Station
As many as 24,000 survey stations will be placed over an area covering virtually the entire Kabanga Jirani tenure.
The size of the prize could be massive as well.
Kabanga Jirani is next door to the Kabanga Nickel project, the world’s largest undeveloped nickel sulphide mine which recently secured the backing of mining giant BHP.
The ground based survey will be conducted over 400m by 100m lines, with 5400 readings taken in Kabanga East, 11,200 in Kabanga NE, 2900 in Kabanga North and 4400 in Kabanga West.
Historic, tantalising and massive
The initial focus will be around the Luhuma Corridor, where Adavale’s tantalising Target 7 prospect sits.
Interestingly, Adavale has interpreted a gravity connection with a historical massive sulphide hit 6km away of 1.14% nickel over 8.4m. That makes it a slam dunk priority.
Given its prospectivity Adavale will conduct that survey on an even tighter line spacing of 150m and station spacing of 100m for 1250 station readings, and is expected to take 2-3 weeks.
Gravity anomalies identified by the program will be prioritised for drilling by overlaying soil sample and electromagnetic (EM) survey data.
The first team has already started with Adavale looking to ramp up the pace as the survey progresses, with two additional teams due on site in early April and potentially a fourth to take it on home at the end of next month.
Immediate success
Adavale’s technical director John Hicks said gravity had become a major part of its exploration strategy.
“The addition of gravity surveying to our target selection techniques in the later part of 2021 generated immediate successes in identifying potential prospective mafic-ultramafic intrusions at several locations,” he said.
“The Company is very excited about extending gravity coverage across all of the project’s southern tenements, with the initial priority being the highly prospective Luhuma corridor.
“I would like to acknowledge the good work and effort of our geological team and geophysical consultants in Africa to design and implement this large and important program in a timely and most cost-effective manner.
“The Adavale Board looks forward to reporting on the results of the survey and exploration activities as it progresses.”
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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