Asian Battery Metals uncovers new copper-nickel system within Yambat project
Interim results from reconnaissance exploration by Asian Battery Metals (ASX: AZ9) at its Oval prospect in Mongolia have identified a new copper-nickel system within the broader Yambat project.
The exploration program included geophysical studies, ground mapping and sampling across the 106.06-square-kilometre land package plus a 2,500m Phase 1 drilling campaign.
1,320m of that program has been completed to date.
Geophysical work
Detailed geophysical work employed pole-dipole induced polarisation, controlled source audio frequency magnetotelluric and audio-frequency magnetotelluric methods to generate new targets.
Ground mapping was conducted across a 5.77 sq km area within the western sector of Oval and focused on delineating copper-nickel-bearing mafic units, establishing lithological contacts, characterising alteration mineralogy and identifying structural trends to guide the subsequent exploration of mineralised zones.
Broader system
Exploration results indicated the existence of a broader magmatic copper-nickel system 1.7km south-east of Oval.
An expansion of a separate copper-nickel gabbro outcrop was also identified at the North Oval area, indicating a significant north-west extension of the main Oval mineralisation.
The new Copper Ridge target was delineated from mapping work over a 7km area of land to the north of Oval.
Assay results from rock chip sampling yielded maximum values of 0.29 parts per million gold, 0.4% copper and more than 15% iron.
New mineralisation
Managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said the exploration program was designed to evaluate Yambat’s potential for new mineralisation outside the main Oval prospect.
“This program has resulted in a major advancement of geological knowledge in what we consider to be one of the emerging copper-nickel exploration districts in Mongolia,” he said.
“The interim results have indicated a larger exploration area fertile for a magmatic copper and nickel sulphide system, as well as the exciting discovery at Copper Ridge.”
“We […] plan to commence a scout drilling program in parallel with our current campaign to build on these results.”