Miramar Resources Ltd (ASX:M2R) is training its near-term attention on a range of exploration activities at its extensive Gascoyne region project portfolio in Western Australia.
Focus turns to Gascoyne
The company has a number of 100%-owned projects in the rapidly emerging Gascoyne mineral province prospective for a range of commodities including iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG), rare earth elements (REEs) and nickel-copper-platinum group elements (PGEs).
After spending the first two years mostly advancing its Eastern Goldfields gold projects, the company is now shifting its focus to the Gascoyne region in 2023.
“We have a number of fantastic discovery opportunities right across our project portfolio but the Gascoyne region has really heated up over the last 12-18 months,” Miramar executive chairman Allan Kelly said.
“Now that we have completed regional-scale targeting on our granted projects, we are looking forward to focusing in on our more advanced targets this year.
“We’re excited about the potential at Whaleshark and/or Bangemall with a new IOCG, REE or nickel-copper-PGE discovery a real possibility at these project sites.”
Whaleshark drilling imminent
At the Whaleshark prospect, modelling of detailed gravity data collected in 2022 has outlined a high-priority bedrock IOCG target.
The modelling indicates the source of the anomaly could be as shallow as 80 to 100 metres below surface and therefore just beyond the reach of the shallower aircore drilling.
The geochemistry and geology at the site bears resemblance to many large IOCG deposits, while the scale of the target is similar to the large Ernest Henry IOCG deposit in Queensland.
The company has recently received program of work approval for a drill campaign to test the gravity anomaly with one or two diamond holes.
It has also submitted an application to be considered for the current round of co-funded drilling under the WA Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS).
Drilling will kick off as soon as a heritage survey has been conducted at the proposed drill sites.
Other targets
The company is also planning geochemical sampling at the Dooley Downs and Mount Vernon targets.
At Dooley Downs, a survey highlighted several radiometric anomalies that were coincident with magnetic anomalies that could represent unmapped and/or buried intrusions, including potential carbonatites.
The most compelling of these is the Eden Bore target, where a large circular magnetic anomaly at the contact between Edmund and Collier Basin rocks is coincident with a strong thorium and uranium anomaly.
Miramar plans to test this target with systematic soil and auger sampling, followed by drilling.
The company is also planning a reconnaissance visit to Mount Vernon and will conduct a systematic sampling program testing electromagnetic anomalies there, with the aim of identifying nickel-copper-PGE sulphide mineralisation.