NickelSearch Ltd (ASX:NIS) has identified multi-element potential at the Carlingup Project in Western Australia with an independent geochemical review of available soil data from the tenure.
The review identified five high-priority lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite target areas, as well as four high-priority Volcanogenic Hosted Massive Sulphides (VHMS) targets prospective for base metals including copper, lead, zinc and associated gold and silver.
On top of the LCT and VHMS targets, a further four nickel targets were also indicated by the review, near the existing exploration targets of Sprint, Relay, John Ellis West, Lipple and Wadley.
Vital minerals for energy transition
“To date, we have focused on nickel sulphides,” NickelSearch managing director Nicole Duncan said.
“Given that we had recently completed ultra-fine soil sampling across part of the Carlingup Trend, we asked an independent geochemist to review the data to help guide our broader exploration focus.
“It is hugely exciting to have confirmation that our tenements are prospective for many minerals that are needed in the energy transition, including lithium.
“We know the ground at Carlingup can host high-grade nickel sulphides because our tenements host RAV8, which produced 16,100 tonnes of nickel at 3.45%.
“Having areas of prospectivity highlighted independently confirms the value of examining all available data using the latest knowledge and techniques.”
Four of the five LCT target areas identified cover more than 800 metres of potential strike, offering a total of 22 areas of interest for LCT pegmatites – just 10 kilometres from the Mt Cattlin lithium mine, which produced some 194,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate in the 2022 financial year.
Confirming lithium prospectivity
NIS intends to investigate the LCT potential on Carlingup with remote sensing technology, followed by a campaign of detailed mapping and rock chip sampling and then drilling where appropriate.
The company has already applied for funding under the WA Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme to drill the VHMS target related to RAVD120, a deeper hole intended to penetrate the basal ultramafic contact of the rock.
Promising assay results and the high conductivity of a modelled down-hole electromagnetic (DHEM) conductive plate at Sexton has made the prospect a key focus for NickelSearch, to be followed up with diamond drilling as a target with potential to shape up into a “significant” nickel discovery.
Finally, the Serendipity and B1 greenfields targets offer an exciting opportunity for NIS, particularly Serendipity which has had very little historical drilling but boasts a 1-kilometre strike with an “impressive” nickel-chrome anomaly.
NickelSearch will also continue its ultra-fine sampling programs across the remainder of Carlingup, which will be independently reviewed for further opportunities on the tenure.