Anson Resources Ltd (ASX:ASN, OTCQB:ANSNF) has received positive assay results from first-pass sampling at the Hooley Well Project, in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, confirming the project’s potential to host a highly prospective nickel-chrome-cobalt and platinum group element (PGE) deposit.
The sampling program — comprising a total of 46 rock chip and 356 soil samples collected across priority targets at Hooley Well — was designed to map and identify potential for nickel-chrome-cobalt and PGE laterites, and explore for rare earth element (REE) targets within clay zones.
This program was completed in December 2023 and has identified widespread anomalous nickel, chrome and cobalt from the soil and rock-chip samples collected.
It has provided a first-pass test of high-priority nickel-chrome-cobalt and PGE targets generated from detailed processing of aeromagnetic data, combined with potential REE targets defined from radiometric anomalies.
High-grade assays
Anson has received “highly encouraging” high-grade nickel, chrome and cobalt assay values.
Assays from the rock chip sampling program include:
- 6.14% chrome and 0.011% cobalt;
- 0.39% nickel and 0.23% chrome; and
- 0.21% nickel, 0.18% chrome and 0.016% cobalt.
Soil sampling program assay values include:
- 0.41% chrome and 0.06% nickel; and
- 0.58% chrome and 0.36% nickel.
Assessment of results
Extremely elevated values of chrome mineralisation in conjunction with nickel and cobalt assay values were returned immediately north and south of the Erong Hill target, which has extended the potential for a mineralised corridor spanning 1.8 x 2 kilometres.
Transported iron-rich clays combined with alluvium and colluvium indicate deep cover along fault margins in the northeast and southeast which may host a potential further source for nickel laterite, nickel sulphides and REE.
Outcropping highly magnetic ultramafic units in the north are interpreted as contingent with a prospective nickel laterite source rock.
High-grade assay results of 0.16% nickel and 0.55% chrome, and 0.21% nickel and 0.18% chrome were returned from a previously identified ‘fold nose’, north of the Erong Hill target, further validating the high mineralisation potential of the area.
Rock chip samples collected near the historic HWDH01 drill hole at Erong Hill confirm high-grade chrome and nickel potential, suggesting an unsuccessful drilling orientation with adjacent historic RAB (rotary air blast) intercepts of 24 metres at 0.70% nickel and 1.55% chrome, and 33 metres at 0.5% nickel and 1.21% chrome.
The mineralisation currently extends for more than 500 metres and remains open along strike at the HW01 anomaly.
High priority targets
The assay results from the sampling program have enabled Anson to define high-priority targets for further interrogation in a planned next phase of exploration.
This phase will target deep magnetic conductors, combined with high-priority targets identified at surface, which are planned to be tested with RC drilling and then followed up with diamond drilling (subject to results).
Anson's next steps
Limited exploration has been carried out on the Hooley Well project area but given the successful outcomes of the first-pass sampling program, Anson plans to undertake the following fieldwork to further advance the project:
- Shallow reverse circulation (RC) drilling to target high-priority targets identified from surface assay results proximal to Erong Hill,
- Further systematic RC drilling in areas exhibiting strong magnetic responses and IP resistivity proximal to fracture or fault margins along the Yilgarn Craton, designed to target an economic nickel-chrome laterite oxide-style deposit,
- Detailed geological and structural mapping of RC drilling assay results will lead to infill RC and later deep-sourced diamond drilling of highly mineralised nickel laterite or nickel sulphide target areas (subject to results), and
- Shallow reconnaissance aircore drilling to target the REE anomalies close to surface.