Estrella Resources anticipates more nickel-copper discoveries at Carr Boyd in 2022
Estrella Resources expects more discoveries at Carr Boyd in 2022 as it actively explores four high priority targets – T5, Broonhill, Gossan Hill and Mossgiel.
Following a positive 2021 of information gathering, Estrella Resources (ASX: ESR) is looking to make more nickel and copper discoveries at its flagship Carr Boyd project in 2022.
Over the course of 2021, Estrella’s activities at Carr Boyd focused on gaining a better understanding of its geology and structure.
Mapping, drilling and a seismic research and development program enabled the company to gather more knowledge to assist with better targeted exploration.
In November last year, Estrella also hosted three CSIRO nickel experts who worked with the company’s team to refine the geological model and generate new targets for follow up in 2022.
T5 prospect
Throughout 2021, exploration focused on the T5 prospect which remains a high priority target at Carr Boyd.
By November, step-out drilling at T5 had unearthed what Estrella managing director Chris Daws described as “some of the best nickel assays” the company had received to-date at the project.
A 60m step-out diamond hole was drilled and hit multiples mineralised intervals.
Highlight results from the upper zone were 11.62m at 0.9% nickel, 0.46% copper and 0.61 grams per tonne two platinum group elements (2PGE), including 0.95m at 2.78% nickel, 0.23% copper and 1g/t 2PGE.
In the lower zone, drilling uncovered 12.8m at 0.96% nickel, 0.79% copper and 0.85g/t 2PGE, including 0.7m at 4.3% nickel, 0.16% copper and 1.88g/t 2PGE.
A third zone was discovered with an interval of 3.7m at 1.76% nickel, 0.66% copper and 1.1g/t 2PGE, including 0.7m at 3.35% nickel, 0.63% copper and 1g/t 2PGE.
T5 remains open down dip and down plunge, with Estrella chairman Les Pereira noting several geophysical anomalies are untested.
Other targets
In addition to exploring T5, Estrella kicked off a reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign in October at the Broonhill prospect within Carr Boyd.
Mr Pereira said Broonhill was a direct extension of the T5 basal contact and one of the new areas identified by the company’s scientific study.
As well as T5 and Broonhill, Estrella has firmed up two other priority targets: Mossgiel and Gossan Hill.
Exploration strategy for 2022
Drilling is continuing at Broonhill and will move to Gossan Hill.
Mr Pereira said Gossan Hill appears to be a “mirror image” of the T5-Broonhill contact.
Once the RC program is finished at Broonhill, and assays have been received, Estrella will undertake diamond drilling and geophysics.
“Late last year, a diamond drilling program to test the fertility of Mossgiel commenced and we have had some early promising indications with sulphides evident on the contact at this area, as predicted by the exploration model,” Mr Pereira said.
Diamond drilling and down hole geophysics have been planned to continue at the target over the first half of this year.
With a RC and diamond rig both operating on site, Mr Pereira says he anticipates regular news flow as assays come to hand.
“Given the increasing price of nickel and its expected lack of supply in the future due to surging demand for batteries, it is an exciting time to be a shareholder of a strongly funded nickel explorer with its flagship Carr Boyd nickel project,” Mr Pereira added.