Follow up soil sampling, a detailed drone magnetic survey and possibly a detailed gravity survey are being planned. Pic via Getty Images
Bullseye! Moho’s Weld Range project has the right ‘signature’ for a nickel-copper discovery
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- An orientation soil survey of 67 samples has tested coincident gravity and magnetic anomalies
- Five samples covering a 200m wide zone are anomalous for nickel and mafic–ultramafic indicator elements
- A follow up 200 sample soil survey has been planned
Soil sampling at Moho’s Weld Range North project in Western Australia’s Murchison region has identified a mafic–ultramafic geochemical signature with elevated nickel assays, right on top of ‘bullseye’ gravity and magnetic anomalies.
A gravity survey is designed to pick up density variations below the surface, while magnetic surveys map the magnetism of underlying rocks. Both methods are important tools in uncovering potential mineral deposits under cover.
Add to this a promising soil sampling campaign and the odds of a significant discovery increase.
Moho (ASX:MOH) says five samples from a total of 67 collected were taken from the centre of the bullseye anomaly which may represent a mafic–ultramafic intrusion, with the potential to host nickel-copper sulphide and PGE mineralisation.
The sample with the highest nickel and chromium (mafic–ultramafic indicator elements) assays also has the highest assays for cobalt, copper, and platinum and palladium for the entire survey.
Nickel prospectivity
MOH managing director Ralph Winter says Weld Range North appears to have some early signs of a significant nickel discovery.
“We are very excited about the nickel prospectivity of the Weld Range North project and the part it’s playing in Moho’s critical minerals strategy,” he says.
“Originally targeted for Moho by the highly awarded Whistlepipe directors for their role in the discovery of the Julimar nickel-copper-PGE discovery under cover, Weld Range North appears to have some early signs of a significant nickel discovery.”
A 200-sample soil survey has been planned to further delineate the extent of the geochemical anomaly over the magnetic and gravity anomalies.
Mt Weld project background
The Weld Range North project on E20/1012, one of seven projects acquired through collaboration with Whistlepipe Exploration in 2022, is situated to the north of the Weld Range Greenstone Belt.
The six-block tenement has a distinct Bullseye magnetic anomaly which has previously been explored for diamondiferous source rocks by Stockdale Prospecting in the late 1990s.
Exploration in the project area failed to identify any indication of kimberlite, despite an airborne magnetic and associated follow-up and reconnaissance stream sampling in selected areas.
Much of the previous exploration was carried out on the project 20km to the south for iron ore, gold and VMS type base metals.
Upcoming activities
Plans are under way for follow-up sampling, a detailed drone magnetic survey as well as a detailed gravity survey.
Once heritage clearance has been received, a preliminary aircore drilling program and a PoW application will be prepared.
The objective of the aircore program will be to define the bedrock lithologies and possible locations for nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation within the encountered lithologies.
In the event the aircore program identifies a possible mafic-ultra mafic intrusion, a surface electromagnetic survey will be undertaken to test the project area for conductors and follow-up RC/diamond drilling.
This article was developed in collaboration with Moho Resources, 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.
