Moho heritage survey opens the gate for Dukes nickel exploration

A heritage survey has cleared the way for Moho to kick off nickel exploration at the Dukes prospect within its Silver Swan North project in Western Australia.

The heritage survey found that there are no sacred, ritual, burial or ceremonial Aboriginal sites within the designated project area at Dukes and should not be an impediment to the company’s exploration activities proceeding.

Moho Resources (ASX:MOH) already plans to carry out a surface electromagnetic survey over the full length of the interpreted Dukes ultramafic unit.

It has also submitted a Program of Works to Western Australia’s Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety for follow-up reverse circulation drilling.

“We are looking forward to reviewing the results of the recent drilling and upcoming EM survey to guide us in our quest to unlock the value at this highly prospective nickel prospect,” managing director Ralph Winters said.

Separately, the company expects to boost its cash reserves with the expected receipt of a research and development rebate.

Unexplored nickel play

Despite its proximity to the third-party Silver Swan nickel mine, no historical drilling or electromagnetic surveys have been reported at Dukes.

Surface geochemistry completed by the company in 2021 returned anomalous nickel results with multiple zones of +100 parts per million nickel noted within a broader anomalous zone about 3km in length.

Maximum nickel values of 2,460ppm, 1,150ppm and 951ppm nickel were reported, with the anomalies having a strong coincidence with an interpreted metamorphosed ultramafic rock unit.

Additionally, a geochemical evaluation of the surface sampling assay data identified several coincidental nickel and copper anomalies which overlie a magnetic high representing the Dukes komatiites and is considered to be prospective for nickel sulphide mineralisation.

A previous 7-hole drill program approved by DMIRS intersected ultramafic lithologies with a massive gabbro overlying this sequence at the northern east to west fence and the same ultramafic lithologies over a width of more than 200m, again overlain by a massive gabbro at the southern north-south fence.

While only minor disseminated sulphides were noted in the northern fence holes, hole SSMH0150 in the south intersected over 10% disseminated sulphides from a depth of 53m to 66m.

The overall appearance of the ultramafic lithologies and lack of observed komatiite flow features could indicate that Dukes is a layered ultramafic intrusive sill rather than an extrusive ultramafic volcanic.

This article was developed in collaboration with Moho Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.