Dundas Minerals Ltd (ASX:DUN) is making strong progress in its nickel-copper-gold exploration program at Central Target (NYSE:TGT) within the prospective Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia.
As part of a diamond drilling program, the company completed drill hole 22CEDD002 (Hole 2) to a depth of 603 metres.
The hole aimed to intersect the approximate centre of an extremely low resistivity target derived from two-dimensional (2D) modelling of AMT data.
At a depth of 499 metres, a pyrrhotite vein returned anomalous pXRF readings for silver, copper and cobalt - coincident with elevated iron.
From 532.2 metres significant pyrite/pyrrhotite sulphide veining was logged, with pXRF readings for cobalt, copper and nickel.
At 585 metres a zone of blebby chalcopyrite was intersected, with a pXRF reading for copper.
At Hole 1, drill core has been cut and submitted for assays and the remaining half core is submitted for hyperspectral Imagery.
Moving forward, Dundas is kicking off diamond drilling at Hole 3 and a down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) geophysical survey is planned for Hole 2 to locate the source of the AMT anomaly and model from down-hole.
Encouraging intersections
Dundas managing director Shane Volk said: “The extremely resistive (highly conductive) section of the AMT anomaly targeted by Hole 2 remains untested.
“The intercept of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite is encouraging, as are various pXRF readings from the drill core – nothing from the results of this drill hole discourages us.
"It is still early days at Central, this being only the second drill hole in an initial drilling program across a series of electromagnetic anomalies that span 12 kilometres.
“Hole 2 has been successfully cased and being almost vertical it provides a sound platform for a DHEM survey to assist in locating the conductivity anomaly.”
Hole 1 summary
All 423 metres of drill core from the first diamond drill hole at the Central exploration target Hole 1, has now been cut in Kalgoorlie.
One-half of the core has been submitted to the laboratory (Intertek Genalysis), crushed and transported to Perth for assay.
The anticipated turnaround time for assay results is between four and six weeks.
The remaining half of the core not used for assay has also been shipped to Perth, where it will undergo Hyperspectral Imagery.
Results and interpretation from the HCI are expected next month.
Forward plan - Hole 3
Dundas has kicked off diamond drilling at drill hole 3 to a planned depth of ~420 metres, targeting a very strong SkyTEM electromagnetic conductive anomaly.
It is anticipated that the hole will be completed in around seven to 10 days, after which the rig will move to hole 4.
Volk adds: “Hole 3 is now underway and is planned to test the strongest of the SkyTEM electromagnetic anomalies.
“The hole is located approximately mid-way between the first two drill holes. We currently anticipate that we will be drilling at Central well into December of this year.
“We have the funds, excellent early results, compelling future drill targets, plus an additional $220,000 of co-funded Western Australian Government exploration incentive scheme (EIS) grant funding”.