Western Yilgarn faced with embarrassment of riches at Ida Holmes Junction

Western Yilgarn extends two nickel-copper-PGE targets, identifies two new targets at Ida Holmes Junction
pXRF analysis of samples from Phase 4 auger drilling extends the N1 by 2km and N4 by 4km to the south
1800km of airborne EM surveying to be carried out in late May
Results will be used to help determine targets for planned 5000m drill program

Special Report: Western Yilgarn has cranked up the potential prospectivity of its Ida Holmes Junction project in WA following a Phase 4 auger drill program, which extended existing targets and identified two new ones.

Ida Holmes Junction is centred on the intersection of the Holmes Dyke and the Mt Ida Fault Nabout 50km southwest of Gold Fields’ Agnew gold project and is considered to be highly prospective for copper, nickel, platinum group elements and lithium.

Besides Agnew, the project is also close to BHP’s Leinster and Mt Keith nickel operations, Delta Lithium’s (ASX:DLI) 12.7Mt at 1.2% Li2O Mt Ida lithium project and Liontown Resources’ (ASX:LTI) 156Mt at 1.4% Li2O Kathleen Valley.

It consists of six contiguous exploration licences covering a total area of 477km2 though Western Yilgarn (ASX:WYX) has the option to farm-in to an additional 207km2 through an agreement with Fleet Street Holdings over licences covering the Holmes Dyke.

Prior to the completion of Phase 4 drilling, the company’s previous work had led to the identification of 24 targets that show early prospectivity for copper-nickel-PGE and lithium pegmatites.

Nickel-copper-PGE targets. Pic: Western Yilgarn

Greater prospectivity

Phase 4 auger drilling, which was infill-focused and designed to provide greater clarity on the first round of results, has now extended the high priority N1 and N4 nickel-copper-PGE targets to the south and added two new targets of the same type, taking the total number of identified targets up to 26 (15 nickel-copper-PGE and 11 LCT pegmatites).

“This follows analysis of the auger samples with latest portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology – a real time sampling tool that is typically used to identify areas of promise and is a valuable tool for helping with exploration decisions. In the circumstance of this project, WYX is satisfied the accuracy of the pXRF for Ni and Cu is equivalent to that of laboratory derived samples from the Phases 1 and 2 campaigns and used as “Certified Reference Materials” (CRM). In the instance of a current focus on Ni and Cu, the pXRF allows for the market to be advised quickly with these metals.”

While it is no replacement for laboratory assaying due to its limited scope, it is nonetheless a valuable tool for helping with exploration decisions.

In this instance, it has led to WYX extending the N1 and N4 targets to the south by 2km and 4km respectively after pXRF analysis returned copper results of up to 714ppm while defining two new targets along the 800m wide-spaced geochemistry lines.

“We are delighted to see extensions confirmed and new targets added from our grass roots exploration campaign,” general manager Gavin Rutherford said.

“As diagrams from our previous releases show, the identified copper-nickel-PGE and LCT pegmatite prospectivity in the lease to the immediate north continued right down to the boundary of the recently granted lease E36/1066.

“The now completed Phase 4 auger program in E36/1066 has added two copper-nickel-PGE targets to the existing 24 targets whilst extending other targets with copper measured up to 714ppm which is a very good return in terms of soil geochemistry.

“The AEM survey in now scheduled to commence in May and we look forward to consolidating the auger geochem information and the resulting AEM information into an accurately targeted RC drilling campaign.”

Upcoming work

WYX will carry out ~1800km of airborne electromagnetic survey work to supply critical reference feedback for the design of the drilling program to follow.

The plans aircore and reverse circulation drill program will sink 5000m worth of holes to uncover the potential of Ida Holmes Junction in accordance with the exploration strategy developed by Rutherford.

This “measure twice and cut once” strategy is aimed at delivering the best results at the lowest cost for WYX.

This article was developed in collaboration with Western Yilgarn, 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.