Askari Metals reports high-grade copper-silver results from Callawa project

Results from reconnaissance field work conducted by Askari Metals (ASX: AS2) at the historic Callawa project in Western Australia have revealed the presence of high-grade copper and silver mineralisation.

Initial mapping and rock chip sampling at the project’s core licence returned copper grades of 6.78%, 4.35%, 2.02% and 1.85%, along with silver grades of 11.1 grams per tonne, 8.25g/t and 6.42g/t.

This compares to historic rock chip results collected at Callawa, including 9.35% copper with 25.9g/t silver and 7.63% copper with 15.7g/t silver.

Askari is planning further petrographic test work to better define the relationship between the silver and copper within the main mineralising system, as well as the project’s polymetallic potential.

‘Under-explored’ opportunity

Managing director Gino D’Anna said Callawa – which sits at the north-eastern margin of the Pilbara Craton – represented a “heavily under-explored” opportunity for Askari.

“This project includes some spectacular historical exploration results which identified high-grade copper-silver mineralisation and demonstrates the significant exploration potential of the project area,” he said.

“Our initial exploration has extended the zone of known mineralisation on the tenement.”

“The strike extent remains open and more work is planned to map out areas of interest and potentially extend the strike beyond the area identified by surface outcrop.”

Magnetic survey

Askari completed a high-definition drone magnetic survey over the Du Valles prospect and surrounding areas at Callawa after the initial mapping and rock chip results.

The survey was flown with 50-metre line spacing for 408-line kilometres covering an area of almost 18 sq km.

Sulphide copper minerals were identified in outcrops during an initial reconnaissance visit.

The magnetic data is now being reviewed and interpreted by geophysical consultants to identify primary exploration targets.

New exploration licence

Askari is awaiting the grant of new exploration licence E45/6053, which sits adjacent to Callawa’s core E45/5842 licence.

Mr D’Anna said the application followed the company’s recognition of the project’s significant potential to host copper, silver and nickel.

The new licence shares the same geological features as the core licence and is interpreted to be a continuation of magnetic structures identified to date as hosting the high-grade copper-silver mineralisation.

Askari recently completed an extensive soil auger program, with 864 samples returning assays with significant nickel potential in the target areas including 1,808 parts per million and 1,607ppm nickel.

The company is now planning to follow up the latest copper-silver results with a second phase soil auger campaign on a close-spaced grid.