Auroch keeps the high grade nickel hits coming at Nepean

The latest assays from Auroch’s maiden drilling program at the Nepean project have backed up its geological model with further shallow high grade nickel hits.

These exceptional results which included, 8m @ 4.30 per cent nickel & 0.37 per cent copper from 35m, including 2m at 6.86 per cent nickel and 0.62 per cent copper from 37m and 8m @ 3.21 per cent nickel & 0.13% copper from 63m, including 2m at 7.51 per cent nickel and 0.39 per cent copper from 68m boost the potential for the development of an open-pit mining scenario at the Nepean project near Coolgardie which could generate significant cash flow.

Auroch Minerals (ASX:AOU) managing director Aidan Platel noted that while the grades and thicknesses would be impressive at any depth, that they were intersected at such shallow depths was “something uniquely special”.

Importantly, the results have exceeded the company’s expectations for drilling that was designed to confirm its understanding and geological model of the shallow high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation that extends for over 500m of strike at Nepean.

“The results from the remaining 17 holes of our maiden drill programme at Nepean are still pending and are expected over the coming weeks, along with results from our regional AC programme,” Platel added.

“We also look forward to commencing a high-powered ground MLEM survey over priority target areas of the 10km of strike that we have at Nepean.”

“We believe there is huge potential along strike for significant high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation, and the pending results will provide important data inputs for our geological model which will be used to generate high potential targets for the next phase of drilling.”

nepean auroch minerals nickel plan — Zoomed plan map of the Nepean Nickel Project showing completed drill-holes and results in confirming shallow high-grade Ni-S mineralisation for a strike of 500m near the historic Nepean Ni mine. PIc: Supplied

Nepean nickel mineralisation

Results from the 15 holes received to date have confirmed that high-grade mineralisation at Nepean occurs as two sub-parallel nickel sulphide lenses at very shallow depths that extend for over 500m of strike within the area of the historical Nepean mine.

Results from the 17 remaining holes, which were drilled to test the highest priority regional aeromagnetic targets along the 10km of prospective strike, are still outstanding.

Auroch is also waiting on results from the 31 hole aircore drilling program that was designed to further characterise the ultramafic units along strike and to define the important stratigraphic contact between the ultramafic hanging-wall and the basalt footwall.

Upcoming activity

Besides the MLEM survey at Nepean, the company plans to continue diamond drilling to test high-priority aeromagnetic anomalies along strike from the Horn Prospect at its Leinster nickel project.

Reverse circulation drilling will also be carried out to test the strike potential at the Horn as well as other regional targets such as the Firefly Prospect.

In addition, modelling and drill target generation will be carried out at Nepean as further results are received.

This article was developed in collaboration with Auroch Minerals, 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.