Azure continues to intersect thick zones of nickel-copper sulphides in multiple holes, extending mineralisation at the VC-07 prospect in multiple directions.

With the diamond drilling results such as 33.1m grading 1.02 per cent nickel and 0.53 per cent copper from a depth of 434.5m extending the mineralised system further along strike to the west, down-dip to depths of more than 500m below surface and up-dip to within 50m of surface, VC-07 is shaping up to be a monstrous deposit.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Mineralisation remains open in all directions, meaning that there is potential for future drilling to further expand the size of the deposit.

To top it off, down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys confirm the presence of off-hole EM conductors, which indicates that sulphide mineralised zones continue at depth and along strike.

Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) is also continuing infill drilling at the prospect within its Andover project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region to ensure the spacing of mineralised intersections is suitable for the planned resource estimation process.

In addition, archaeological and ethnographical heritage surveys have now been completed at VC-07 and accelerated mineral resource drill-out is now proceeding to completion.

azure minerals nickel copper intersection
Cross section showing Upper and Main Zones and significant mineralised intersections. Pic: Supplied

Drilling activity and future activity

To date, the company has completed 26 diamond holes totalling 11,602.4m at VC-07 with assays received for 16 holes and results pending for the other 10 holes.

Massive, semi-massive and matrix nickel-copper sulphides were intersected in multiple holes with the latest batch of assays returning further results such as 15.4m at 1.05 per cent nickel and 0.66 per cent copper from 376.1m and 11.6m at 1.01 per cent nickel and 0.32 per cent copper from 455.9m in the Main Zone.

Meanwhile, two holes intersected nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation within the Upper Zone, which sits about 60m to 80m above the Main Zone, with a top hit of 14.8m at 1.77 per cent nickel and 0.69 per cent copper from 176.1m including 5.8m at 2.81 per cent nickel and 0.67 per cent copper from 176.1m.

Azure is currently processing data from a recently completed close-spaced high resolution aerial magnetic survey to advance its understanding of the Andover layered mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex and refine target areas for future exploration.

Diamond drilling is also continuing to test the down-dip and western strike extensions of the VC-07 mineralised system while planning is underway for additional drilling at other high priority targets across the project area.

Physical reconnaissance and ground inspection is underway at the VC-23, VC-18 and VC-41 areas ahead of preparation and submission of proposals for heritage and statutory approvals.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Azure 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.