T2 Drilling Program
500m of RC drilling has been completed at the T2 target.
T2 is one of three fertile channels confirmed by air-core drilling that could potentially host significant massive nickel sulphide mineralisation.
T2 is the first of three advanced channel targets that will be systematically drill-tested this year, with the aim of materially increasing the existing high-grade Inferred Resource of 21.4kt of contained nickel at 2.0% Ni.
Kambalda-style nickel sulphide deposits
Auroch is targeting channel positions in the footwall contact underlying nickeliferous ultramafics. Channels are extremely important in Kambalda-style komatiitic nickel sulphide deposits as they predominantly host the thickest and highest-grade massive nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Whilst massive nickel sulphides are often found on the flanks of channels and in the hanging-wall due to subsequent lava flows, the main “feeder” channels are where the most nickel-bearing lava flowed through, allowing for more nickel sulphides to accumulate at the base of such channels.
Litho-geochemical review
A litho-geochemical review of drill-holes along a 6km strike length of the Eastern Footwall Contact has identified five new high-priority channel targets, in addition to the existing mineralized channels of St Andrews and St Patricks. Each channel target could potentially host significant massive nickel sulphide mineralisation at its base.
Air-core drilling
In late January-early February, the Company completed 1,960 meters of air-core drilling, targeting the position of three emerging channels identified in the litho-geochemical review. Geochemical results will determine the fertility of the Ultramafic on basal contact and highlight further potential for hosting nickel sulphide mineralization.
Together with the DHEM and results from the 2019 diamond drilling campaign, the5 emerging channels provide exciting advanced drill-ready targets for upcoming drilling campaigns designed to test the potential for further high-grade nickel sulphides.
2019 drilling and exploration
In late 2019, an 11-hole (circa 3,000m) diamond drilling programme was completed at the Saints Nickel Project, targeting untested near-resource electromagnetic plates and possible down-plunge extensions to existing high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation at the St Patricks, St Andrews and Western Contact target areas.
Assay results received from the first six holes at Saints confirm high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation:
SNDD006: 2.22m @ 4.84% Ni, 0.34% Cu and 0.15% Co from 110.68m down-hole, including 0.90m @ 6.01% Ni, 0.31% Cu and 0.16% Co
SNDD005: 1.77m @ 6.72% Ni, 0.27% Cu and 0.13% Co from 227.31m down-hole, including 0.50m @ 9.98% Ni, 0.24% Cu and 0.20% Co
SNDD002: 3.31m @ 1.05% Ni, 0.06% Cu and 0.03% Co from 219.90m down-hole, including 1.70m @ 1.48% Ni, 0.10% Cu and 0.05% Co
High-grade blebby nickel sulphide mineralisation intersected by SNDD007 outside of the existing resources:
SNDD007: 6.87m @ 0.77% Ni and 0.02% Cu from 145.00m down-hole, including 1.87m @ 1.47% Ni and 0.03% Cu
Down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveying and modelling was completed for all drill-holes, highlighting strong conductors to be tested in next drilling campaign.
