BlackEarth Minerals NL has finalised its first program of field exploration on the Donnelly River Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Metals (Ni-Cu-PGM) Project, which is positioned approximately 240 kilometres south of Perth, Western Australia.
The Donnelly River Project is situated immediately adjoining the Thor and Odin Ni-Cu-PGM Prospects, recently identified by Chalice Gold Mines and Venture Minerals at their South West JV.
Historical exploration across the BlackEarth tenements has identified the presence of metagabbroic and metperidotites interpreted to potentially be part of mafic-ultramafic intrusive complexes.
Based on completed exploration activities, the company today revealed that reconnaissance geochemical sampling has successfully defined at least three prominent trends that are coincident with well-defined magnetic trends.
The geochemical results, along with mapped ultramafic lithologies, also confirm the presence of a strong maficultramafic signature across the southern half of the Donnelly River Ni-Cu-PGM Project.
Blackearth noted that similar magnetic trends across the property have yet to be tested in any form and present additional opportunities to develop priority targets with further work.
It stated that the anomalous geochemical and magnetic trends are defined by:
- A large ‘Ovoid’ feature located central to the project (Figure 1). Ultramafic lithologies have previously been identified in this location. The geochemistry at this location is nickel dominant (peak value 811ppm Ni) with subdued copper (peak value 50ppm Cu), however only part of the magnetic feature has been covered by geochemical sampling.
- Two east-west trending linear trends of coincident Ni-Cu anomalism, both over a strike-length of 5-6 kilometres.
Prior to the commencement of the planned airborne electromagnetic survey, a notification process with all potentially affected parties will be undertaken. To expedite this process, the company has engaged a consultant land access specialist.
BlackEarth Managing Director, Tom Revy, said the Board is particularly pleased with the results received to date (up to 800ppm+ nickel) and the alignment of this cluster of results with previously identified magnetic anomalies.
“While we are still at a very early stage of exploration at Donnelly River, the assay results and their association with mafic-ultramafic material is highly encouraging, as it draws potential parallels with other nickel sulphide discoveries in Western Australia,” Mr Revy said.
“The company’s cash position remains strong and will allow BlackEarth to continue both its systematic exploration program in Western Australia as well as its current Maniry Graphite Project BFS activities in Madagascar.”
