St George Mining is poised to begin drilling over an array of deep geophysical targets at its Mt Alexander nickel project in WA. The budding explorer has recently completed development drilling over its Stricklands nickel deposit and is now set to move the diamond rig on to the recently discovered western extensions to the Cathedrals Belt.
The company’s recent drilling program has concentrated on exhuming samples of high-grade massive sulphide ore from the Stricklands discovery for use in St George’s ongoing metallurgical program. Seven diamond core holes were completed over the deposit, yielding 483 metres of drill core, with the program confirming the presence of widespread, nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation.
More than 200 kilograms of sulphidic samples from Stricklands are now being packed in preparation for air-freighting to the company’s metallurgical consultants in Canada.
St George Mining Executive Chairman, John Prineas said: “The metallurgical drilling at Stricklands has successfully concluded with high-grade samples now being prepared for transport to Canada. The thick nickel-copper sulphides at shallow depths intersected by the met holes is a reminder of the excellent high-grade mineralisation at Stricklands and its potential to support a robust starter mine.”
“Our regional exploration is also progressing well, with potential for this work to deliver new nickel-copper sulphide targets across the broader tenement package. Geological and geophysical interpretation supports the new conductors at Investigators and West End having a massive sulphide source.”
“With the nickel price continuing to rise, nickel demand for the EV market growing and a dearth of high-grade nickel sulphide exploration success across Australia, Mt Alexander is well positioned to attract attention from investors looking for significant new high-grade nickel sulphide discoveries.”
The company’s diamond drilling program has now moved on to test a series of deeper electromagnetic, or “EM” targets at the western end of the Cathedrals Belt, with priority targets located at the Investigators and West End prospects.
Drilling will focus on two strong EM targets close to drill hole MAD185 and 192. The target adjacent to MAD185 shows a compelling 33,100 Siemen strength conductor at around 340m down-hole, whilst the anomaly adjacent to MAD192 comes in at a booming 55,550 Siemens and is estimated to sit at around 505m down-hole.
Generally, a Siemen level above 10,000 is considered one worth chasing up and these targets not only lit up like a Christmas tree but they also demonstrated a geophysical signature and response consistent with massive sulphide mineralisation.
Previous stratigraphic drilling at in the vicinity of the MAD185 and 192 targets encountered a thick sequence of intrusive mafic-ultramafic rock - an ideal environment for the deposition of nickel sulphide mineralisation - adding further weight to the deep drill targets.
St George’s Mt Alexander project is located 120 kilometres south-west of the world-class Leinster nickel terrane in the metal-rich North Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The Leinster province provides a model for exploration at Mt Alexander and hosts a wealth of nickel mineralisation including world-class Mt Keith operation and the high-grade underground nickel operations at Leinster itself.
The company’s exploration program over Mt Alexander during 2020 focused on a 16km strike of the Cathedrals Belt and included drilling over the Stricklands, Investigators, Fairbridge, and Cathedrals nickel sulphide discoveries. However, the 2021 exploration program is set to extend the company’s reach and begin building a portfolio of prospects across St George’s vast tenure in the region.
Aside from drilling at the West End and Investigator prospects, St George will also kick off its regional exploration program with regional airborne geophysical survey planned over the wider tenement area. Moving loop EM and soil sampling has also been designed over potential repetitions of the Cathedrals Belt, north of the current prospect areas. These programs are scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and will open up the region for a wider program of nickel exploration.
With the company continuing its feasibility work at Stricklands and its exploration program continuing to identify multiple of targets across the Cathedrals Belt, St Georges looks well-placed to advance its development across the goldfields and continue a successful program of sulphide discovery in WA.
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