Mamba Exploration to drill Black Hills after survey firms up high-priority targets
Limited historical exploration across the Hyden rare earths project returned up to 4.67% TREO, with mineralisation remaining open in all directions.
Mamba Exploration (ASX: M24) is readying to drill its Black Hills project near Chalice Mining’s (ASX: CHN) famed Julimar nickel-copper-platinum group element discovery in Western Australia after a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) survey identified three high-priority anomalies.
The FLEM survey delineated three bedrock conductors at the Southern prospect, within the project which is also close to the town of Bolgart in the Darling Range.
“We are pleased to report that the FLEM survey completed in late December over the high priority Southern prospect at the Black Hills project has identified several strong bedrock conductors,” Mamba managing director Mike Dunbar said.
“Three conductive plates have been identified from the detailed modelling, with two of the conductors sufficiently well-defined to warrant immediate drill testing.”
Mr Dunbar said the company had already secured a diamond rig, which is mobilising to site this week to begin a drilling program.
The program is expected to take about 14 days to complete.
“Given the strength of the conductors, and the proximity and similarities with the Julimar deposit, we look forward to starting this drilling in the coming days.”
Julimar deposit
Since the initial discovery at the Julimar project, Chalice has firmed up a world-class resource, which stands at 350 million tonnes at 0.58% nickel equivalent, or 1.8 grams per tonne palladium equivalent.
The resource contains 11 million ounces of three elements (palladium, platinum, gold), 560,000t of nickel, 360,000t copper and 54,000t cobalt.
Chalice expects to update the resource in the current quarter and describes it has hosting a rare mix of critical minerals in sulphide mineralogy.
Within the resource is a higher-grade component of 82Mt at 1% nickel equivalent or 2.9g/t palladium equivalent – with mineralisation remaining open.
Hyden rare earths project
As Mamba readies to drill at Black Hills, it is awaiting assays from its aircore drilling program at its Hyden rare earths project.
A detailed gravity survey has also begun at Hyden earlier this month.
Mamba entered an option to acquire Hyden in November last year after a review of limited historical exploration revealed an interval grading 4.67% total rare earth oxides.
“We look forward to receiving the results of the initial REE drilling, the gravity survey at Hyden and the commencement of diamond drilling at Black Hills,” Mr Dunbar said.