Albion Resources (ASX: ALB) has firmed up several nickel-copper drill targets at its Leinster project following an UltraFine+ soil geochemistry program.
Australia’s CSIRO developed the UltraFine+ technology which enables soil particles less than 2 microns in size to be analysed.
Albion carried out the soil geochemistry program over prospective ultramafic rocks within its recently granted Leinster project, 30km south of Leinster in Western Australia.
About 500 samples were collected and underwent multi-element analysis to pinpoint extensions to previously identified nickel mineralisation.
The company noted its project lies adjacent to BHP’s (ASX: BHP) Weebo nickel deposit and covers the same conductive, sulphide-bearing unit as Auroch Minerals’ (ASX: AOU) Horn prospect and other targets within its own Leinster project.
Preparing for maiden drill program
The soil sampling program using UltraFine+ will assist in firming up drill targets for a maiden reverse circulation program.
Albion is planning to complete up to 12 holes for 1,800m, which test previously intercepted nickel mineralisation.
Historic shallow drilling at the project has unearthed 4m at 5,060 parts per million nickel. Mineralisation remains untested at depths below 100m.
In readiness for drilling a program of works has been approved for Leinster.
All-up, the Leinster project covers 42 square kilometres of ground.
Activities since ASX listing
Albion has been busy since it listed on the ASX at the end of April following a successful $5 million IPO.
Its focus since listing has been advancing the Lennard Shelf project about 30km southeast of Fitzroy Crossing in WA’s Kimberley.
The ground is located in the Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead province and comprises four sub-projects covering 393sq km.
Limited regional exploration has been undertaken in the area since the 1980s despite significant historic mines including Pillara (19.3Mt at 7.8% zinc and 2.6% lead) and the Cadjebut Trend (16.4Mt at 8.9% zinc and 5% lead).
Albion carried out a review of historical exploration at its Pillara East sub-project and identified numerous rock chip samples with elevated zinc, lead and copper.
Best results were 36% lead, 35.7% lead, 27.5% zinc, 26.1% zinc, 3.66% copper and 3.65% copper.
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