Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX:GAL) continues to increase its palladium and nickel grades in a lower mineralised seam at the Callisto palladium-platinum-gold-rhodium-copper-nickel discovery within the 100%-owned Norseman project in Western Australia.
The company’s latest diamond drill hole results show that Callisto can host higher grades of palladium and nickel.
Results from hole NRCD280 include:
- 5 metres at 4.01 g/t 3E (3.26 g/t palladium, 0.62 g/t platinum, 0.13 g/t gold), 0.56% copper and 0.53% nickel at a 3 g/t 3E cut-off from 291 metres and within a wider zone of;
- 7 metres at 3.09 g/t 3E (2.52 g/t palladium, 0.47 g/t platinum, 0.10 g/t gold), 0.45 copper and 0.42% nickel at a 0.5 g/t 3E cut-off from 289 metres.
Mineralisation at Callisto continues to be open to the east and to the northwest with more than 500 metres between western drill holes and NRCD280.
The company is due to release assays for a further 20 diamond core holes and three metallurgical twin holes.
Laboratory results are expected to be returned from late November through to January for the current drill program, with follow-up drilling of newly identified disseminated nickel sulphide zone scheduled to begin in two weeks.
High optimism
“Today’s assay results are confirmation that the Callisto mineralised system can host higher grades of palladium and nickel than what we have typically seen to date, Galileo’s managing director Brad Underwood said.
"This provides us with even greater optimism that exploration within this new province has an abundance of opportunities for further discoveries.
“As well as higher palladium and nickel numbers it is significant to note that the platinum, gold and copper values are also increasing in this lower zone.
"The lower palladium seam appears to be related to a flatter lying part of the stratigraphy where mineralisation gently dips to the east at approximately 250 metres below surface.”
Callisto geological interpretation section 6,448,000. Diamond core drill holes NRCD279 and NRCD280 are on the eastern side of the section (right). Assays are reported for NRCD280 with the new high-grade intersections highlighted in yellow. The underlying sediment flattens at depth in drill holes NRCD279 and NRCD280. NRCD331 is in progress with NRCD329 and NRCD330 to be drilled shortly.
Shown above is the section on line 6,448,000 north, where the present assays have been returned from drill hole NRCD280. An increase in palladium-platinum-gold-copper-nickel grades in NRCD279 and NRCD280 is associated with a flatter section of the underlying stratigraphy, beneath the ultramafic sill which hosts the mineralisation.
“Drilling continues on site with the diamond drill rig currently focusing on the zone to the east of NRCD280 and with follow-up RC drilling of the new disseminated sulphide zone in and around NRC346 to commence later this month," Underwood said.
"This new zone of nickel sulphide is of particular interest as it is interpreted to be associated with a mafic-ultramafic intrusion separate to the Callisto discovery.
“With over five kilometres of palladium and nickel prospective rocks to the north of Callisto, and with multiple styles of new mineralisation intercepted in a previously underexplored province, we believe the potential for ongoing success is significant.”
Flood of results to come and more drilling to start
RC pre-collars have been drilled for holes NRCD329, NRCD330 and NRCD331, east of NRCD280. The diamond rig is now drilling NRCD331.
Along with 20 diamond core holes awaiting assaying, there are three metallurgical drill holes also awaiting assay (quarter core samples) prior to selection of composites for initial metallurgical test-work.
Quotes have been received for the metallurgical program which is expected to begin in December.
All diamond core holes have been collared with RC drilling which saves time and capital.
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