Azure gets heritage approvals for Andover drilling onslaught

The completion of the heritage surveys and subsequent approvals enables Azure to move forward with exploration drilling at the Skyline, VC-23, VC-18, and VC-41 nickel-copper prospects, and to enlarge the resource drilling program at VC-07 West and surrounding areas.

The acquisition of a WA nickel, copper and gold portfolio from prominent mining investor and prospector Mark Creasy in July 2020 was a game-changer for Azure.

The deal included the flagship Andover nickel-copper project, where drilling has already delivered discoveries at VC-07 and VC-23. An intensive drilling program is expected to deliver a maiden mineral resource in early 2022.

Azure is also aggressively exploring several other very attractive targets at Andover.

The company and representatives of the Traditional Owners of the Andover country have worked together to complete archaeological and ethnographical surveys for ground disturbing, site clearing, and drilling activities associated with the next stage of the regional exploration program.

Approvals have now been received to drill the Skyline, VC-23, VC-18, and VC-41 prospects.

Azure Minerals — Pic: Aerial image of Andover Nickel-Copper Project showing newly approved drill targets.

At VC-23, five of Azure’s eight drill holes have already intersected significant nickel and copper sulphide mineralisation associated with EM conductors including:

5.8m @ 1.12% Ni and 0.71% Cu from 69.6m
4.0m @ 1.69% Ni and 0.21% Cu from 32.7m
7.0m @ 1.35% Ni and 0.45% Cu from 95.0m

At Skyline, one diamond rig is currently drilling a newly identified EM conductor plate ~300m west of the VC-23 Ni-Cu sulphide mineralised drill intersections.

Also, to be drilled are VC-18 — a very large, moderately conductive target represented by a 3.5km-long, bedrock hosted EM anomaly — and VC-41, represented by two strong and overlapping EM conductors.

An extensive area-based heritage approval received for a large area surrounding the VC-07 East and VC-07 West prospects has also allowed Azure to construct additional access tracks and multiple drill pads necessary to complete mineral resource drilling at VC-07 West and enable further extensional drilling along strike to be undertaken.

Two diamond rigs are currently drilling at VC-07 West.

The company is cashed up, with $24.7m in the bank at the end of September.

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.