Azure has discovered new zones of nickel-copper mineralisation to the east of the VC-23 prospect at its Andover project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Four new drill holes form its ongoing campaign intersected shallow nickel-sulphide mineralisation associated with electromagnetic (EM) conductors at the VC-23 prospect, adding to the first three holes that highlighted Andover’s potential to host multiple nickel-copper sulphide deposits.

One hole tested a previously undrilled geophysical target and intersected 4.6m of continuous massive and semi-massive sulphides while the remaining three holes demonstrate the continuity of sulphide mineralisation over more than 150m of strike.

Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) says drilling at Andover is accelerating with two rigs drilling the nickel-copper sulphide mineralised body associated with the VC-07 EM conductor plate while a third rig is carrying out exploration drilling at VC-23.

Drilling details

ANDD0012 targeted an off-hole conductor plate southeast of VC-23 that was modelled from a downhole survey in a historical hole that failed to intersect mineralisation.

Drilled at a different azimuth to the historical hole, it intersected significant quantities of massive, semi-massive and heavily disseminated sulphides coincident with the modelled location of the conductor plate.

Mineralisation remains open to the east and north and an upcoming hole will test the eastern extension.

Holes ANDD0013, ANDD0016 and ANDD0017 were drilled along the interpreted down-dip extension of sulphide mineralisation that was intersected by the first three holes.

All six holes intersected shallow east-dipping zones of semi-massive, matrix and heavily disseminated sulphide mineralisation, defining a continuous and open-ended, down-dip mineralised zone extending east-west for more than 150m.

The company noted that the area between these zones of mineralisation remains untested and will be explored by surveys and diamond drilling.

Forward plans

Azure plans to carry out downhole EM surveys on all holes that it recently completed at VC-07 and VC-23 to enable geological and geophysical modelling of the mineralisation and provide a basis for targeted follow-up drilling.

Fixed-loop EM surveys using large 600m by 600m loops will be carried out at VC-23 over the drilled area and further to the east and north to identify along-strike and down-dip mineralised extensions in those directions.

Additional diamond drilling will also be carried out at VC-23 when the geophysical surveys have been completed and the data modelling confirms the next round of drill targets.

Other EM targets at Andover will be drill tested when heritage clearances of those sites have been finalised.

 

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.