Western Mines Group identifies ‘major’ nickel target at flagship Mulga Tank project

Western Mines Group (ASX: WMG) has identified five “major” bedrock conductors at the central and southern sectors of its Mulga Tank nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGE) project in Western Australia.

One of these, the W conductor named ‘Mulga Monster’ which lies over approximately 1,000m in length and 1,000m wide, was identified by the company’s moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) survey.

“These EM targets potentially represent nickel sulphide mineralisation and are largely untested by historical drilling,” the company said.

In addition, geological and geochemical targeting work supports the EM results, which Western Mines notes confirms these as priority targets.

Mulga Tank is located 190km northeast of Kalgoorlie on the eastern portion of the Yilgarn Craton.

Planning initial 10 to 12 hole drill program

Western Mines says a review of portable X-ray fluorescence data is generating additional nickel geochemical vectoring drill targets.

“Western Mines’ combined geological, geophysical and geochemical targeting work in building a robust nickel exploration model for this lightly explored ultramafic body,” the company noted.

Planning and logistical preparation are underway for an initial drill program, which will comprise 10 to 12 holes and a program of between 4,000m and 5,000m of drilling.

Managing director Caedmon Marriott says the MLEM survey work is now moving to the northwest sector of the project.

Discovered conductors never tested by drilling

The five conductors now reported fit Western Mines’ understanding and exploration model of the intrusion.

“These geochemical anomalies have never been tested by historical drilling.

“Our geological and geochemical vectoring work, in parallel with the geophysical survey, further supports them as exciting drill targets,” Mr Marriott said.

The company is exploring for buried electromagnetic bedrock conductors that could be associated with deposits of massive nickel-copper-PGE sulphides.

Final results, including the northwest sector, are expected later this month.

Mulga Tank is the company’s current primary focus.

Western Mines holds numerous other projects across major Western Australia mineral belts including the Rock of Ages project located approximately 32km southeast of Laverton and Jasper Hill (gold), with numerous prospective gold trends extending from the adjacent Lord Byron and Fish historical gold mines.

The company is also actively exploring Youanmi (gold), Pavarotti (nickel-copper-PGE), Broken Hill Bore (gold) and Pinyalling (gold).