Plans by Legend Mining Ltd (ASX:LEG) to progress exploration at the Rockford Project in Western Australia’s Fraser Range have been impacted by a series of significant weather events that have delayed field activities.
After unprecedented rainfall across the Rockford Project in March this year, further significant rainfall inundated the area last week, with 54mm recorded in the rain gauge at the Mawson camp on the morning of Friday, June 28.
This rain band stretched around 100 kilometres east from Zanthus with recordings of 47mm at Kanandah Station homestead and 40mm at Zanthus.
Survey delayed
Legend had planned to carry out a High Power Fixed Loop Electromagnetic extension survey at the Octagonal prospect and contractor High Power EM was ready to mobilise to site.
However, the rain meant this was not possible and Legend says it may be several weeks before High Power EM can access the project area.
The Trans Australian Railway access road was already closed to all traffic, having been closed by the Shire of Kalgoorlie Boulder since June 9, 2024, and the rain late last week is expected to extend that closure. Prior to June 9, access had been for 4WD vehicles only.
“Incredibly frustrating”
Legend executive chair Mark Wilson said: “This latest in a series of unseasonal downpours is incredibly frustrating for all of us at Legend, as it has put on hold any field programs for an indefinite period.
“The area has not dried out from the March deluge and the Trans Australia Railway access road remains closed, restricting site access.
“We will keep the market informed as further information comes to hand.”
Current Rockford Project tenements and prospect locations on gravity.
Future work
Despite the delays, the company is not resting on its laurels and continues to plan for future work programs, which include:
- HPFLTEM extension survey at Octagonal;
- Seismic reprocessing results from Octagonal;
- Diamond drill hole target generation at Octagonal;
- Heritage clearance for diamond drilling at Octagonal; and
- Heritage clearance for diamond drilling at Mawson.
Tenement rationalisation
Meanwhile, Legend has further rationalised its tenure across the Rockford Project.
Considering the prevailing negative sentiment in the nickel market, Legend’s discipline to capital conservation and sterilisation of exploration tenure, the company has reduced the area of the Rockford Project under its management to 1,087 square kilometres from 1,597 square kilometres.
This rationalisation has resulted from a comprehensive assessment of prospectivity following a review of all available datasets and Legend said this would mean a significant reduction in project minimum commitment.