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Cassini Resources discovers nickel-copper prospect at Yarawindah Brook

Last updated: 13:44 14 Jan 2020 AEDT, First published: 13:42 14 Jan 2020 AEDT

Cassini Resources Ltd - Cassini Resources discovers nickel-copper prospect at Yarawindah Brook
The current program is Cassini’s first-ever drilling at the project on Perth’s doorstep

Cassini Resources Ltd (ASX:CZI) has discovered a new nickel-copper prospect at its Yarawindah Brook Project, 130 kilometres northeast of Perth on agricultural land near the township of New Norcia.

The new discovery - called the Brassica prospect – is 4 kilometres from the closest previously known mineralisation in the project area.

Maiden drill testing has confirmed nickel and copper-bearing sulphides hosted by mafic rocks over 50-metre-wide intervals.

Best assay results are promising intercepts of 1.1 metres at 0.50% nickel, 0.10% copper and 0.08% cobalt from 92.9 metres and 0.7 metres at 0.09% nickel, 1.46% copper and 0.02% cobalt from 71.4 metres.

While the mineralisation identified is not economic, the company considers these results very encouraging for a completely new target area at an early stage of exploration.

Brassica prospect

The current exploration program is targeting massive/matrix sulphide bodies and accumulations associated with the mafic-ultramafic intrusions.

Brassica has been modelled as three distinct electromagnetic conductors extending over a strike length of 300 metres and with modelled plate conductance of up to 2,400S.

These features are consistent with sulphide accumulations.

The first two drill holes both intersected over 50-metre-thick sequences of metagabbro’s which are strongly anomalous in nickel and copper of approximately 500ppm throughout.

Left: Chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite mineralisation in hole YAD0001. Right: Massive pyrrhotite mineralisation with minor pentlandite in hole YAD0002.

 

Historical drilling

The Yarawindah Brook project area was targeted by the company because it represents a mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex at a major regional-scale structural intersection of the Darling Fault and the Meckering structural zone.

The company considers such tectonic intersections are a first-order control on the formation of major nickel-copper-PGE (platinum group elements) sulphide deposits.

Previous drilling in 2007 supported this theory, returning several significant intercepts of sulphide mineralisation such as 7 metres at 1.30% nickel, 0.22% copper, 0.06% cobalt and 432ppb palladium from 74 metres.

No follow-up drilling was conducted but the company completed an airborne electromagnetic survey over the project in early 2018 identifying numerous conductors worthy of further investigation.

Next steps

Drilling has recommenced at Yarawindah following the Christmas-New Year break, with the third hole at Brassica underway.

Following completion of this hole, the rig will move to the main Yarawindah Prospect to drill the AN01 & AN02 conductors which are believed to be extensions to previously identified mineralisation such as 7metres at 1.30% Ni and 0.22% Cu.

A further six holes are planned, subject to visual results, and will be surveyed by Downhole Electromagnetics (DHEM) to assist further targeting.

The sequence of drilling has been timed to accommodate the harvesting of agricultural crops at each of the targets.

A pre-feasibility study on the JV with OZ Minerals Limited (ASX:OZL) at the Nebo-Babel deposits remains on track for completion in the current quarter.

 

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