Auroch Minerals Releases Nepean Nickel Project JORC Mineral Resource Estimate
THE DRILL SERGEANT: Auroch Minerals (ASX: AOU) released a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Nepean nickel project (Auroch Minerals 80%; Lodestar Minerals 20%) in Western Australia.
Auroch Minerals announced the JORC 2012-compliant MRE for the project’s known shallow nickel mineralisation (above 290mRL).
The estimation has come in at 236,000 tonnes at 1.5 per cent nickel and 0.11 per cent copper for 3,625 tonnes of contained nickel and 252 tonnes of contained copper.
Approximately 50 per cent of the new Nepean MRE is within the Indicated Resources category, with the potential to increase this proportion with minimal additional drilling.
“We are very pleased with the JORC (2012) MRE for the shallow nickel mineralisation at the Nepean nickel project,” Auroch Minerals managing director Aidan Platel said in the company’s ASX announcement.
“Whilst we know there exists significant high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation at depth in and around the historic underground mine workings, we are currently focussed on the shallow nickel mineralisation above and around the old mine that could potentially be mined in an open-pit scenario.
“Earlier this year we completed metallurgical testwork that confirmed the shallow nickel sulphide mineralisation is amenable to traditional beneficiation techniques for Kambalda-style nickel sulphides.
“Now that we have successfully modelled this small but significant shallow nickel resource, we can commence mine studies and design as part of the Nepean Scoping Study that will assess the potential to fast-track the project towards development and production from a future open pit mining scenario.
“We are also pleased to commence exploration drilling at Nepean early next week.
“The IP target that aligns with the footwall of a high-manganese ultramafic is a high priority nickel sulphide target that we look forward to drill testing, and we will keep the market updated with results as they come to hand.”
TO READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT: CLICK HERE
Email: admin@aurochminerals.com
