In line with its multi-commodity gold and base metals strategy, Lefroy Exploration has pegged five exploration licence applications over a new nickel project named Glenayle.

The Glenayle Project covers a massive contiguous 2735sqkm of the Proterozoic age Salvation Basin that is intruded by multiple dolerite sills which extend over the entire land package.

These dolerite sills are part of the Warakurna Large Igneous Province (LIP), which extends west to the Bangemall Basin and east to include the Giles layered intrusive complex. More importantly, they are considered prospective for nickel mineralisation.

Glenayle represents a first mover approach by Lefroy (ASX:LEX) into a frontier nickel-copper exploration project with its stake over the Warakurna LIP.

New wholly owned subsidiary to list on ASX in 2022

The Glenayle tenement package is held by a new wholly owned LEX subsidiary, Johnston Lakes Nickel (JLN), which Lefroy aims to list on the ASX in 2022 subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

JLN will also hold other nickel assets currently held by LEX at Lake Johnston and at Carnilya South in the Lefroy Gold Project.

The company expects the tenements to be granted in Q4, 2022.

While the explorer aims to expand its portfolio in search for nickel, the focus remains on exploration at Eastern Lefroy and the Burns gold-copper prospect.

A rare opportunity

LEX managing director Wade Johnson said it is not often that an opportunity like this presents itself.

“It is a monster land package,” he said.

“We have taken the first mover approach into a new area that has seen very little exploration.

“We are very keen to further develop and apply knowledge learned about nickel mineralisation in large igneous provinces that will provide exploration targeting criteria for target selection,” he said.

“Glenayle adds another wholly owned project to the LEX greenfields exploration portfolio and complements our other nickel assets at Lake Johnston and Carnilya South.”

Lefroy Exploration
The Glenayle project relative to the other company projects and key geological rock units in Western Australia. Pic: Supplied

Identified in desktop assessment

The Glenayle nickel project was identified after a desktop assessment to identify new areas in Western Australia considered prospective for nickel mineralisation.

Prior geological knowledge of the area from a field reconnaissance trip in 1998 by Wade Johnson and the subsequent review of the research paper by Pirajno and Hoatson (2012) supported LEX’s acquisition.

What’s next?

Lefroy has kicked off compilation and assessment of previous surface geochemistry, geophysical and drilling data from WAMEX at Glenayle.

The location of drill core from the only three diamond holes drilled at Glenayle is being sourced, with two of the three holes being located.

Geophysics, and in particular interpretation of gravity survey data, will play a key role in guiding exploration targeting within the project.

Development of a detailed aeromagnetic and gravity dataset is underway and will be the primary exploration tool in the interpretation of the distribution of the mafic rocks such as feeder sills, layered intrusions and dykes within the Salvation Basin.

This will then be followed by targeted stratigraphic diamond drilling in 2023.

The company will apply for funding support through the WA State Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) for this drilling where applicable.

LEX has also commenced land access negotiations with the determined Native Title group.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Lefroy Exploration, 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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