Lunnon Metals closes-in on maiden resource for high-grade Baker nickel target
Drilling results are firming up Lunnon Metals’ Baker Shoot prospect as a high-grade, near-surface nickel discovery.
Lunnon Metals’ (ASX: LM8) maiden resource for the high-grade Baker target, within its Kambalda nickel project in Western Australia is nearing completion, with further news flow from ongoing drilling anticipated between late June and August.
Although an exact date hasn’t been given for the maiden resource, initial assays are anticipated in late June after the resource has been published.
Assays will come from the infill and extensional reverse circulation drilling program that is underway with a total of 8,000m planned.
Diamond drilling is also planned to gather further metallurgical data and geotechnical information including assessing a potential route for future underground access from the adjacent west Idough pit.
Lunnon will then undertake 3,000m of additional diamond drilling to follow up on these campaigns.
Baker nickel target
Previous drilling at Baker returned notable intercepts of 6m at 5.84% nickel from 93m; 4m at 6.38% nickel from 91m; 5m at 9.15% nickel from 93m; and 7m at 9.22% nickel from 123m.
Lunnon is focused on Baker for several reason including mineralisation existing at shallow depths.
The target is also close to a historical open pit, which could provide future portal access for mining.
Additionally, early indications of the metallurgy are “all positive” with no waste elements that could pose a challenge for processing.
Kenilworth target
Over at the Kenilworth target a diamond hole was completed to a final depth of 1,521m.
This hole was part of the Western Australian Government’s exploration incentive scheme, which co-funds the hole.
The hole was drilled to test an 800m-long geophysical magnetic anomaly.
Detailed logging and sampling of drill core is underway, with Lunnon managing director Ed Ainscough saying it didn’t appear to have hit the nickel contact.
However, Mr Ainscough noted it had “thrown up a number of surprises”, saying it may host gold mineralisation given its location in the heart of the 15 million ounce St Ives gold camp.
“We will get the detailed logging and sampling done and wait to see if the gold assays have a surprise in store for us.”