Special Report: Azure’s drilling program at the target-rich Andover project is off to a flying start with significant nickel-copper sulphides intersected in the first hole.

The company hit 4m of massive nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation at a depth of 94.5m within a broader 40.7m zone of nickel-copper bearing mineralisation.

Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) managing director Tony Rovira says making a strong mineralised nickel-copper discovery with the first drill hole is a great start to the company’s maiden drilling program at Andover.

“Importantly, this mineralised intersection coincides with the interpreted position of the downhole electromagnetic (DHTEM) conductor, providing support that the conductors represent significant accumulations of sulphide mineralisation,” he added.

“The Andover project area does not appear to host sulphide-rich sediments, graphitic shales, conductive overburden or other characteristics that may generate false signatures for the EM surveys, and their absence is exciting given the size, depth and intensity of the conductors we have identified and are targeting.”

Previous EM surveys at Andover had identified multiple strong conductor anomalies while limited previous drilling by legendary prospector Mark Creasy’s Creasy Group had returned high-grade hits like 7m grading 2.62 per cent nickel and 0.65 per cent copper from a depth of 26m.

NIckel-copper sulphide
Massive nickel-copper sulphide intersection at Andover Pic: Supplied

The second drill hole is currently underway to test the down-dip extension of the mineralisation intersected by the first hole, with Rovira noting that drilling will continue through to the end of this year.

First assays are expected in late October to early November.

Azure has also mobilised an EM survey crew to start DHTEM this month.

Nickel-copper drilling

Azure’s maiden drilling program at Andover consists of 12 diamond holes totalling 3,000m, the first six of which are intended to test along strike and down dip extensions of the high-grade nickel that Creasy Group had originally intersected at Targets 1 and 2.

Andover mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex with previous drill hole locations and mineralised intersections.

Sulphide mineralisation intersected at the first hole comprises an intermixed combination of pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite in various forms, including massive, semi-massive, matrix, stringers, blebby and disseminated hosted in gabbro and similar mafic rocks.

Preliminary XRF work has confirmed high-grade nickel mineralisation, though this will have to be confirmed by lab assays.

Detailed logging of the core is underway with samples already in transit to the laboratory in Perth for analysis.

 

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.

 

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