Nickel exploration drilling is expected to start in the coming days at the VC1 target in Western Australia, project operator Aldoro Resources (ASX: ARN) reported.
The company today advised that drilling contractor Orlando Drilling is mobilising the DDR20 rig to site with VC1 and VC11 being the first targets to be drilled at the Narndee Igneous Complex.
Meanwhile, a moving loop transient electromagnetic (MLTEM) survey designed to refine the project’s highest priority exploration targets has been completed.
Results of the survey are anticipated in the coming days once final models have been received and checked for quality assurance and control.
Delayed arrival of drilling rig
Aldoro noted the drilling rig had been due to arrive on site last week but was delayed due to an “unforeseeable breakdown”. The rig was repaired in Perth and is expected to be running “near 100% availability” for the planned drilling program.
The rig is a KL900, capable of drilling to a depth of 1,500m of NQ hole size. This is more than adequate for Aldoro’s initial drilling proposals, which have a maximum hole depth of 550m under current planning with provision to pursue targets to over 800m vertical depth on a results-driven basis.
Field work confirms location of nickel-copper gossans
At the start of July, Aldoro reported field reconnaissance had identified two nickel-copper gossans requiring follow-up at the Narndee Igneous Complex project.
In today’s update, the company said the location of the historical copper and nickel-copper gossans had been confirmed and sampled at Quandong Well Zone B and CRA Buckets Gossan, respectively.
At the Quandong area, random handheld x-ray fluorescent (HXRF) readings were used to confirm cupriferous anomalism of the gossan and rock chip samples were collected for laboratory analysis.
The area was explored in the early 1970s with 31 holes for 1,731m returning significant copper, zinc and gold results close to the surface. Aldoro said it interprets copper and gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) style targets in this area.
The CRA Buckets Gossan was also confirmed by HXRF readings and rock chips were sampled with the assay results to be reported once received.
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