Azure Minerals is ready to deliver its maiden resource estimate for the closely watched Andover nickel-copper project in northern WA after reporting its final high grade assays from the resource drill out today.

Assays from the final drill holes at Andover will continue to build anticipation for a highly-anticipated maiden resource.

The project is 60% owned by Azure (ASX:AZS), the other by billionaire prospector Mark Creasy of Bronzewing and Nova fame.

Final results will continue to build confidence in the upcoming resource, due by the end of the March quarter.

They include 3.7m at 2.73% nickel sulphide, 0.42% copper and 0.12% cobalt from 258.1m downhole in western infill drilling.

Other wide results include:

  • 17.9m at 1.57% Ni, 0.79% Cu & 0.08% Co from 266.8m downhole, including
  • 4.5m at 2.42% Ni, 0.59% Cu & 0.11% Co from 266.8m, and
  • 3.9m @ 2.04% Ni, 0.52% Cu & 0.11% Co from 277.8m (ANDD0116: western extension)
  • 3.7m at 1.54% Ni, 0.40% Cu & 0.06% Co from 171.7m (upper western extension); and,
  • 7.0m at 1.23% Ni, 0.41% Cu & 0.06% Co from 565.4m including:
  • 2.7m at 2.19% Ni, 0.20% Cu & 0.10% Co from 566.5m; and,
  • 3.7m at 1.59% Ni, 0.49% Cu & 0.08% Co from 621.6m downhole; including:
  • 1.7m at 2.61% Ni, 0.34% Cu & 0.12% Co from 623.0m (ANDD0124: depth extension).

102 diamond holes have now been drilled into Andover, delivering 43,995m of core.

The new assays have again shown the strong continuity of width and grade across the deposit, which remains open in all directions beyond its 400m east-west strike and 550m vertical depth.

Shallow drilling to the eastern end of the deposit has returned mineralisation within 20m of surface under a large outcrop of nickel and copper-rich gossan, a rock type regularly associated with high grade nickel and copper sulphides.

The outcrop extends for hundreds of metres to the east of Andover but remains undrilled, with drilling expected to take place once heritage approvals have been received.

Azure Minerals
Andover has delivered continuous high-grade Ni-Cu sulphides since drilling began. Pic: Azure Minerals

Future plans

While the resource at Andover is on its way, Azure is by no means taking its foot off the pedal.

Assays are still pending for 22 holes at Ridgeline to the west of the Andover target and other regional prospects, with an eight week turnaround time currently expected for assays.

The Skyline and Seaview prospects, the former once known as the VC-23 target, will also receive attention where drilling has previously returned nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.

Azure’s regional exploration program continues to pay off, with geological sampling, surface and downhole EM surveys and drilling across the tenement package delivering promising results.

Targets outside of Andover including the Pipeline, VC-18 East and VC-41 prospects have undergone drill testing with observations to be released once finalised.

Azure Minerals
Andover your Ni-Cu: There are plenty of prospects across the Andover project. Pic: Azure Minerals

Advanced stage metallurgical test work, the key to identifying the right processing method for a future mine at Andover, is also taking place on samples from different zones at the deposit.

It’s a great time for Azure to be preparing its maiden resource.

Nickel sulphides are prized for their emerging use in batteries that power electric vehicles, and rose to decade-long highs of US$24,500/t last week on tightening supplies in metals warehouses.

 

 

 

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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