Dynamic Metals is growing in confidence that it can uncover a Kambalda-style nickel sulphide channel environment at Widgiemooltha in Western Australia following positive signs from reverse-circulation (RC) drilling at its D5 prospect.
The company says its two northernmost drillholes at D5 intersected the targeted basal contact at a little less than 150m and it now plans to deepen other holes which did not reach the contact. It was part of a campaign that included nine RC drillholes at its D3 and D5 prospects.
Management adds that no interflow sediments were logged at the contact, which is overlain by an estimated 40m of sediment-free interflow ultramafics. It notes that the absence of interflow sediments at the basal contact is important, as it indicates a greater likelihood of proximity to a channel environment typically associated with a Kambalda-style komatiite nickel sulphide ore deposit model.
Dynamic explains that in the context of exploring for Kambalda komatiite-type massive sulphide nickel deposits, the basal contact position – where the potentially nickel-rich komatiite stratigraphy is in contact with the underlying basalt – is of key exploration targeting significance.
At the D5 target, historic drilling indicated nickel mineralisation potential with a 20m intercept running 0.54 per cent nickel. Later drilling by Mincor Resources (now Wyloo Metals) along strike to the south of D5 at the Patriot prospect confirmed the existence of fertile ultramafic rocks in one drillhole, with intercepts of 2m going 0.67 per cent nickel from 107m, 13m at 0.64 per cent nickel from 19m in a second hole and a further 16m going 0.4 per cent nickel from 49m.
The company believes the magnetic signature at D5 is much stronger than at Patriot. It also says that drilling to date has been on sections between 200m and 400m apart and is considered broadly spaced when assessed against the typical width of channel structures (about 150m) that typically host nickel sulphide mineralisation.
The other drillholes to the south terminated at 96m, 120m and 132m without intersecting the basal contact. But the company wants to extend them as a priority before embarking on its phase-two drilling program.
The phased approach is designed to allow it to efficiently test the highly-prospective D5 and it will incorporate the latest geological and geochemical data from the drilling program into its geological model for the prospect.
At D3, the company planned to drill six holes on three sections to test a stretch of about 400m of interpreted basal contact at depths up to 150m, but terminated the program after three holes were put in for 354m and observed geology did not correspond with its geological interpretations and modelling.
Management says it is also in an advanced stage of planning for its phase-two RC drill campaign at the Lake Percy project to follow up the successful maiden drill campaign earlier this year and that program details will be provided before drilling starts next month.
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