Legend Mining has been setting a cracking pace at its Mawson Project in the fabled Fraser Range mineral belt of WA whilst putting in some hard yards when it comes to the science behind its mineral deposit. The ASX-listed explorer has just wrapped up a 3D seismic survey which applied the revolutionary oil and gas exploration technology to its hunt for nickel at Mawson.
Legend followers will be eagerly awaiting the results of the 6.5km2 survey after they are processed over the holiday break and tabled in February.
Located some 250 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie, the Mawson prospect lies within the company’s Rockford project that covers more than 3,000 square kilometres of tenure within the celebrated Fraser Range.
The region came to prominence nearly a decade ago following Sirius Resources’ revered Nova-Bollinger nickel, copper and platinum discovery about 120km away from Legend’s Mawson project.
A 14.3 million tonne resource going 2.3 per cent nickel and 0.9 per cent copper has subsequently been defined at the now producing Nova-Bollinger mine, operated by mining titan, IGO Limited.
The Nova discovery was defined using 3D seismic according to Legend and the company is looking to deploy seismic at Mawson’s as part of its suite of geophysical activities.
Management said final results from the survey will provide further clarity on structural interpretations within the current drilling envelope including the massive sulphides and associated mineralisation at the Mawson discovery zone.
Additionally, Legend said the results will also provide structural detail around the periphery of and below the drilling envelope.
Executive Director Oliver Kiddie said 3D seismic was very under-utilised in hard rock exploration, especially in nickel exploration.
“The cost of seismic acquisition has dropped significantly, making it affordable for juniors,” he said.
“Seismic interpretation has obviously revolutionised soft rock or oil and gas exploration and we believe we’re at the foothills of seeing seismic utilisation for discovery in the minerals sector.”
“Legend is the first junior explorer in the Fraser Range to commission a 3D seismic program. IGO used 3D seismic to define the Nova discovery and greater Nova intrusion and this Legend program at Mawson is even more detailed again.”
Legend’s timing is good too with the nickel price sitting at near 5-year highs at US$19,800 per tonne. It has tracked back up again from its dip in March this year at US$16,000 per tonne, down from US$19,600 in the previous month.
Whilst the Nova-Bollinger discovery may have sparked a rush of junior ‘nearologists’ aiming to replicate the Sirius success, it is the sustained application of smart exploration technologies and methodical thinking that has enabled Legend to stay the course and emerge with some highly advanced exploration targets whilst other companies went home from the Fraser Range with their tails between their legs.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
By Matt Birney
