Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) has restarted diamond drilling at the Oval Copper-Nickel-PGE Project within the Yambat Project in Mongolia’s GobiAltai region as it seeks to gain a better understanding of the potential size, true dip and orientation of the deposit.
This phase 2 program will follow up on the high-tenor massive sulphide mineralisation intersected previously at the 100%-owned project.
Positive DHEM work
The company is also establishing a pipeline of future drilling targets after positive Downhole Electromagnetic (DHEM) results revealed multiple priority 1 conductive plates.
Southern Cross Geoscience (SCG) has modelled 17 plates from multiple holes with peak conductivity of 29,000 siemens; lengths up to 103 metres; thicknesses up to 12 metres; and depths 35 to 170 metres from the surface.
At OVD021, nine plates have been identified in proximity to the massive sulphide intersection supporting the potential continuation of high-grade mineralisation.
Exceeded expectations
Managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said: “To have multiple DHEM conductors not only at the OVD021 discovery hole but across the entire Oval gabbroic intrusion is exciting and I would like to thank our geophysical crew on site for their tireless work to date.
"The DHEM results have exceeded our internal expectations and we look forward to systematically drilling all of these compelling conductors in due course."
Drilling program
Four to eight holes are planned in the phase 2 diamond drilling for a total of up to 1,200 metres and DHEM surveys will be completed on the new holes.
The primary focus of this program will be to extend the high-grade mineralisation zone, determine its orientation and target deeper high-grade sections of the mineralised zone.
AZ9 will also complete drill testing of the newly discovered high-conductivity DHEM plates across the Oval and North Oval areas.
This work is expected to continue until late November 2024 with assay results expected by the end of the year.
DHEM program
In the most recent DHEM program, a total of 2,185 metres were surveyed with five different loops from drill holes OVD002, OVD003, OVD007, OVD013, OVD017, OVD018, OVD021, SC01 and SC03.
Multiple measurements were obtained using different loop configurations for some of the drill holes of higher importance.
Phase 2 DHEM plate on TMI at 230-240 metres below the surface.
SGC analysed and processed the DHEM data to determine the nature, extent, location and orientation of off-hole anomalies observed in the raw data.
17 plates modelled
Based on the data, SGC modelled 17 plates with conductivity ranging from 60 to ~29,000 siemens, with lengths of up to 103 metres and thicknesses of up to 12 metres, at depths of approximately 35 to 170 metres from the surface.
Around OVD021 and OVD014 plates have been identified in proximity to the massive sulphide intersection, with measurements from OVD002 and OVD007 indicating five plates near the high-grade zone of OVD021.
Additionally, two plates were detected 15 metres north of OVD018 at North Oval and three plates were observed near the high-grade area of OVD009 based on measurements from OVD003 and OVD013.
The high number of plates without a clear systematic location around the massive sulphide intersection of OVD021 may suggest that the hole is surrounded by interconnected sulphides in all directions.
At OVD021, two high-priority plates were finalised, OVD021_A and OVD021_B, with multiple alternatives also considered and modelled to explain the results.
The plates surrounding OVD021 generally exhibit high conductivity, ranging from 3,300 to 29,000 siemens, supporting the potential continuation of the high-grade mineralisation zone and have a NE-SW orientation with a dip to the NW.
Two high-conductivity plates, with values of 14,000 and 5,000 siemens, have been identified 15 metres northwest of OVD018 in North Oval. They may indicate the potential for higher-grade mineralisation in the area.
Three plates from OVD003 and OVD013, along with one from the Phase 1 DHEM survey of OVD009, are near the high-grade interception of OVD009, suggesting a possible continuation of high-grade mineralisation in this area.
Plates categorised
Based on analysis of correlation with geological models and geophysical properties (magnetic, chargeability, resistivity), these plates were categorised into priority levels 1 and 2:
- Priority 1 - the most confidence in and suitable for drill targeting. Fits the data well and makes geological sense.
- Priority 2 – possible but either doesn’t fit well with DHEM data or does not fit well with the geological model.