Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work we go
THE DRILL SERGEANT: Each week any number of junior exploration plays set out to drill their ground. Here’s a small selection of what’s been happening this week.
Drilling to Commence
Axiom Mining (ASX: AVQ) has kicked off drilling at the Isabel nickel project in Solomon Islands.
“This program will focus on areas suitable for early JORC compliant resource definition and subsequent mining,” Axiom CEO Ryan Mount said.
“We aim to confirm the historical data at this world-class asset collected by global nickel producer INCO and Kaiser Engineers.
“Additionally, we see significant potential to increase both the grade and tonnage of the deposit as we extend drilling below the depth of previous sampling into the higher grade saprolite zone.”
In 2014, the program will:
Consist predominantly of diamond drilling and excavator pitting to twin and confirm previous test pits and drill holes;
Test stratigraphy, bulk density, moisture, internal rock size and distribution and other mining factors within the limonite and saprolite zones;
Test metallurgical characteristics for potential customers; and
Include geological mapping, soil and rock sampling by handheld XRF analyser, and pitting within historical excavations.
Baseline environmental surveys have commenced and include terrestrial and aquatic studies, which will meet Solomon Islands regulatory requirements for subsequent development of the deposit.
Drilling commenced at Big Springs
Anova Metals (ASX: AWV) has started a planned drilling program at the company’s Big Springs project, located in Nevada, USA.
The drilling will comprise up to 1,850m of diamond drilling and 2,915m of RC drilling.
The planned drilling involves infill RC drilling of the proposed 601 open pit and underground zones plus minor diamond core drilling for geotechnical and metallurgical sampling purposes.
In addition, further geotechnical diamond core drilling is planned for the potential 701 underground zone plus hydrogeology drilling and pump testing of the proposed North Sammy underground zones.
The program also includes testing of resource extension targets for the 601 underground zone.
Drilling is expected to be completed by late November.
Drilling commences at Hayes Creek
Phoenix Copper (ASX: PNX) has commenced drilling at the Hayes Creek project in the Pine Creek region of the Northern Territory.
The drill program will comprise four diamond drill holes targeting the Iron Blow and Mount Bonnie deposits.
A recent capital raising has enabled this initial drill program to commence prior to the onset of the wet season.
The primary objectives of the drill program are to define new mineralised zones, obtain samples for metallurgical test work, build confidence in grade continuity within the existing resource and to undertake down hole electromagnetic (EM) surveys.
“We are excited to be on the ground drilling and undertaking fieldwork at the Hayes Creek project,” Phoenix Copper CEO James Fox said.
“Excellent potential exists at Iron Blow and Mount Bonnie to define new mineralised positions near to the existing high-grade mineralisation.
“We will also undertake downhole and detailed surface EM to target new areas of massive sulphide mineralisation.
“Obtaining samples for metallurgical testwork will also allow a flotation program to commence shortly.”
Ground EM Survey at Pennor prospect
Orion Gold (ASX: ORN) is to commence a high-powered moving loop ground EM survey at the Pennor prospect, part of the company’s Fraser Range project in Western Australia.
Shallow, first-pass drilling at Pennor in August defined an extensive area of anomalous nickel values.
The EM survey will provide an initial test for electrical responses from possible massive sulphide accumulations below the depths tested in the shallow drilling.
A high-powered IP survey is also being designed to test for possible large disseminated sulphide bodies, which would not be detected by EM.
The surveys will also test for possible feeder structures between HA2 and Pennor.
The results are expected to assist the company to define follow-up targets for deeper RC and diamond drilling at the Pennor prospect.