Auroch survey lines up rich gold, nickel targets

Auroch’s recent induced polarisation survey over the underexplored Nepean North prospect has identified priority targets for follow-up drilling.

Auroch has completed Ground Induced Polarisation (IP) survey over their Nepean North Prospect, with consistent strong bedrock chargeability anomalies identified that represent priority targets for follow-up drilling.

As such, Auroch Minerals (ASX:AOU) is now planning a 3,000m reverse circulation drill program to test the peak response of the modelled IP targets in prospective, largely untested, geological positions for both gold and nickel sulphide mineralisation.

This program will include seven holes testing three shallow gold targets in the south of the Nepean where previous drilling had intersected mineralisation ranging between 3 grams per tonne (g/t) and 14g/t gold.

On the nickel front, metallurgical testwork is well advanced on the shallow high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation identified near the historical Nepean nickel mine.

Two of three bulk samples tested to date have successfully produced a saleable nickel concentrate grade.

Results are also pending for pegmatite samples re-assayed for lithium-caesium-tantalum mineralisation from two drill holes located along strike from a rock chip sample that assayed 2.26% Li2O.

“The ground IP survey has been very successful in defining anomalies in an area of Nepean that is very underexplored. The consistency and strength of the anomalies, combined with their location relative to the geology, provides compelling targets that we are eager to test with follow-up drilling,” managing director Aidan Platel said.

“Pending the assay results of the pegmatite intersections in our RC drill-holes to the north of the historic Nepean mine, the planned drill program testing the gold and nickel targets may be refined to include further drill-holes to test for LCT mineralisation in this very prospective northern area of the Nepean tenure.

“In parallel to our exploration programs the metallurgical testwork on the known shallow high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation near the historic Nepean mine has progressed successfully, and the final results that are due next month will be a key factor in driving the project towards potential future development.”

Survey points the way to discoveries

The ground IP survey identified strong chargeability anomalies below the weathering profile on 16 of the 19 survey lines.

Inversion models indicate that the strong chargeability features are associated with both intrusive and extrusive mafics, which are potential orogenic gold targets, and on the contacts of the prospective ultramafic units (nickel sulphide targets).

Auroch plans to drill seven holes to test the peak response of the modelled IP targets in prospective geological positions for both gold and nickel sulphide mineralisation.

It added that while sampling of the first Nepean Deeps hole had not returned significant intersections of LCT mineralisation, it did not impact on the LCT potential of the pegmatites delineated in the project’s north as they may have different fractionation levels and potentially different source rocks to those of the southern pegmatites.

Over in South Australia, diamond drilling at the Ragless Range zinc prospect of its Arden project has been completed with downhole IP surveys now underway.

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.