Soil geochemistry work kicks off at Impact Minerals’ Arkun-Beau nickel-copper-PGE projects
As Lithium Australia advances its battery recycling technologies, the company continues progressing its exploration projects.
Junior explorer Impact Minerals (ASX: IPT) has commenced soil geochemistry work to test a magnetic anomaly at its wholly-owned Arkun and Beau projects, located 180 kilometres east of Perth in an emerging nickel-copper-platinum metal group (PGM) province.
The survey will focus on 17 priority target areas for nickel-copper-PGM mineralisation identified in a recent interpretation of regional airborne magnetic data and which cover a variety of magnetic and non-magnetic units and anomalies.
The targets will be sampled at 100m intervals along gazetted roads and tracks in the first instance, with an expected 80 line kilometres of sampling to be completed.
Mafic and ultramafic presence
The interpretation and recent field checking by Impact has indicated that mafic and ultramafic rocks – the most likely host rocks to the nickel-copper-PGM mineralisation – may be more widespread than shown on government geological maps.
Samples have shown these rocks to contain low levels of up to 30 parts per billion 3PGM (platinum-palladium-gold) and the observations have been used in conjunction with conceptual nickel-copper-PGM mineralisation models to identify first pass drill targets.
A prominent oval magnetic anomaly measuring 3,000m by 1,500m has been identified as a priority target for follow up at the Beau project.
The anomaly lies under shallow cover of less than 30m and has never been explored.
It is believed to be of a similar size and geometry to the Gonneville Intrusion, which is host to the significant nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation recently discovered by Chalice Mining (ASX: CHN) at Julimar.
Post-Julimar stake
The Arkun project covers about 1,900 square kilometres between the towns of York and Corrigin and was staked following Julimar’s discovery.
Last month, Anglo American lodged exploration licence applications over 10,000sq km surrounding three sides of Arkun just a few hours after Impact made its first announcement on the project.
The much smaller Beau project some 15km to the north of Arkun lies completely within Anglo’s exploration licence applications.