Growth-focused nickel company St George Mining Limited (ASX: SGQ) has provided an update on the high-impact exploration programmes underway at the company’s regional-scale projects in Western Australia.
At the Paterson copper-gold project in the East Pilbara, the maiden diamond drilling programme is underway with two drill holes completed. Initial geological observations indicate locally intense alteration and hydrothermal veining in the drill core. Visual copper sulphide was logged in the second diamond hole (PDD002).
The geological setting of St George’s Paterson Project is interpreted to show important similarities to other Cu-Au deposits in the Paterson Province.
At the Mt Alexander nickel-copper-PGE project in the Goldfields, a seismic survey of 13-line kilometres has been completed while a moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) survey is in progress. Both surveys are assisting in the targeting of potential massive Ni-Cu-PGE deposits while drilling is scheduled to commence in approximately four weeks.
St George has also confirmed that IGO (ASX: IGO) has become a JV partner for tenement E29/638 following its takeover of Western Areas.
At the Ajana nickel-copper-PGE project in the Mid West, inversion modelling of airborne magnetic survey data supports the interpretation of a potential 20km long layered mafic intrusion prospective for Ni-Cu-PGE deposits. Ajana is located within the mineralised Northampton Block, proximal to historic base metal mines in a unique position near the western margin of the Yilgarn Craton. Drilling at Ajana planned for the second half of 2022, once access arrangements are finalised.
“Exciting exploration programmes have ramped up over the past month at our projects – particularly at Paterson and Mt Alexander where important field activities are underway,” executive chairman John Prineas said.
“Diamond drilling at Paterson is testing the basement rocks for the very first time with early indications confirming the prospective rock-types for copper-gold deposits in the region.
“Geological observations of the drill core report intense alteration and that the rocks have been subject to pervasive hydrothermal fluids. Visual logging of copper sulphides adds further support for the potential of significant mineralisation on our ground.
“At Mt Alexander, an extension seismic survey has been completed and a new EM survey – employing the latest ARMIT technology – is underway. These geophysical surveys have been designed to investigate large target areas for nickel-copper sulphides which are underexplored or unexplored, with drilling of these areas scheduled to commence next month.
“The ongoing modelling of the new magnetic data for Ajana is revealing exactly what we were hoping to see – a late-stage layered mafic intrusion.
“The location of this intrusion in an established mineral field with many base metal deposits, is very favourable for the potential for the intrusion to be associated with further mineralisation. We are pleased to have pegged additional ground contiguous to our existing exploration licences, giving us the substantial landholding in this unexplored area of the Northampton mineral field.
“The Company looks forward to reporting back to our shareholders on these active work programmes with exciting news flow.”
