Estrella Resources is zoning in on more nickel-copper targets at its developing T5 discovery near Kalgoorlie in WA after the company spotted a suite of down-hole geophysical anomalies begging to be drilled. The anomalies lie tantalisingly close to the T5 deposit and suggest known mineralisation is open to the north and south, throwing up a plethora of new targets that the company will now target.
The company says down-hole electro-magnetic, or “DHEM” surveys were completed on several diamond drill holes to sniff out the extent of the known T5 nickel-copper mineralisation whilst also shedding some light on the new zone of massive sulphides intersected below the deposit.
Late last year, Estrella clocked up several noteworthy intercepts at its exciting T5 discovery that include a 3.7 metre interval grading 1.76 per cent nickel and 0.66 per cent copper in a newly identified mineralised zone located below the recent discovery.
Nickel-copper mineralisation at Estrella’s Carr Boyd project is hosted in a combination of massive sulphides and sulphide breccias along with highly disseminated semi-massive and stringer sulphides.
Interestingly, not all these styles of sulphide mineralisation will kick up a DHEM anomaly. This technique relies on the interconnectedness of sulphides to make some noise with massive sulphides pumping out the best response.
Estrella says the new survey results extend the previous DHEM anomalies at T5 over a strike length of 165 metres, along with identifying a potential fault offset that has dislocated the massive sulphides.
Importantly, the company says the new zone of mineralisation intersected in diamond drilling below the T5 deposit has been picked up in the DHEM survey, suggesting Estrella is on the money and potentially onto another new massive sulphide horizon.
Estrella Resources’ Managing Director, Chris Daws said:“T5 continues to provide an exciting opportunity for Estrella to extend the footprint of the high grade nickel sulphides we have intersected in recent drilling at depth. The refinement in how we utilise DHEM surveys to guide us is evolving and we are gaining an understanding of the capabilities and limitations in identifying the mineralisation.”
“The latest round of surveys at depth unequivocally informs us that the limit of the T5 mineralisation is yet to be found.”
Estrella says it is now looking to build on the latest round of work and probe the DHEM interpretations. It is now planning several step-out diamond drill holes to test the source of the anomalies.
Estrella has placed itself firmly on the radar of base metals pundits since its discovery hole at T5 returned a solid 13.9m hit going 1.07 per cent nickel and 0.39 per cent copper from 431.6m. Importantly, a succession of nickel and copper sulphide strikes have subsequently followed. With the price of nickel and copper both standing solid at ten-year highs, things could get very interesting for this junior explorer if its early successes at T5 can be replicated.
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By Matt Birney
