Azure expands drilling to capitalise on successes at Andover

Azure is expanding the scale of the resource drill out at its Andover project after drilling at VC-07 East expanded the deposit and intersected near-surface mineralisation.

The company noted that 22 new drill holes had intersected multiple intervals of massive, semi-massive, matrix and heavily disseminated sulphides with portable XRF scans confirming the presence of high-grade nickel and copper in the massive sulphides.

Notable intersections are 46.2m of sulphides from 528m, 37.6m from 313.2m and 21.8m from 404.6m.

Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) notes that the VC-07 East deposit now exceeds 400m in strike, extends from 50m below surface to more than 500m depth and remains open for expansion.

“We’re excited with the ongoing success of our resource definition drilling program which continues to significantly increase the size and scale of VC-07 East, with most holes into and around this deposit intersecting substantial nickel and copper sulphide mineralisation,” managing director Tony Rovira said.

“Importantly, recent drilling has returned multiple good looking nickel-copper sulphide intersections in the upper part of the deposit, bringing the nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation to within 50m of surface.

“In addition to this near-surface mineralisation, drilling continues to expand the deposit down-dip and along strike to the west, with the mineralised system remaining open in these directions.

“The company is also undertaking infill drilling of the deposit to close up the hole spacing and ensure that, when the drill-out is completed, we can deliver a robust maiden mineral resource for Andover’s first nickel-copper sulphide deposit.”

VC-07 delivering the goods

VC-07 is showing the signs of being a major nickel-copper sulphide deposit with drilling continuing to uncover more mineralisation.

To date, 72 holes have been drilled at the deposit – 60 at VC-07 East and 12 at VC-07 West. A further eight holes have been drilled at the VC-23 prospect.

Azure currently has three rigs drilling around the clock at VC-07 with a focus on completing the drill-out of the deposit this year and delivering a maiden mineral resource in 2022.

It added that the most recent sulphide-rich intervals are similar to those in earlier holes for which assays had previously been received.

Forward plan

Resource definition drilling at VC-07 East is nearing completion. Following that, the campaign will focus on expanding the mineralised zone at VC-07 West to resource status.

Downhole electromagnetic surveying has also continued to provide targeting for additional mineralised extensions.

Regional exploration will focus on drill-testing other EM conductor anomalies identified on the property such as VC-23, VC-18 and VC-41, which have been granted 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.