Nelson Resources Ltd (ASX:NES) has started a maiden diamond drilling program at Grindall prospect within its 100%-owned Woodline Gold Project in the Fraser Range, Western Australia.
The company is on track to complete the planned 1000 metres to 1500 metres of diamond drilling program by the end of January 2021.
Before starting exploration drilling, a water bore was successfully established to supply water that is required for the ongoing drilling operations in the area.
Purchase of diamond drill rig
Nelson’s executive director and CEO Adam Schofield said: “The company’s purchase of a diamond drilling rig, associated vehicles and equipment has been an immediate success.
“The company is now able to operate its drilling programs in a flexible and nimble manner.
“The significant drilling cost savings to the company will allow for more drilling than previously planned at much lower costs than budgeted.”
Electromagnetic surveys
The company has completed Loupe ground electromagnetic surveys at Redmill, Grindall, Socrates and the newly identified Morris nickel prospect.
Results have been received for Socrates and Morris, with geophysical processing and analysis yet to be finalised for Redmill and Grindall.
With the current drilling at Socrates and the interpreted EM data, the Socrates gold system appears to have large-scale potential.
A ground electromagnetic survey, using the Time Domain Electromagnetic Loupe system supplied by EMIT, has been completed at Socrates on 40-metre line spacings over an area of 2,200 by 600 metres.
The Loupe survey has provided valuable near-surface geological and structural information at Socrates and the interpretation of the results has produced refinements to the company’s geological interpretation and significantly increased the apparent strike to over 2 kilometres.
Schofield said: “The Loupe electromagnetic system has been impressive.
“The data acquired by Loupe is amazing and has highlighted multiple new gold drill targets at Socrates and a potential nickel target at Morris.
“We anticipate seeing similar results from the Redmill and Grindall Loupe data when it is processed.”
Morris nickel prospect
The Morris nickel prospect is in the south of the Woodline Project area and the company selected an area of 500 metres by 200 metres for a first-pass ground electromagnetic survey using the Loupe.
Survey location was based on the Western Mining Service review as well as the latest 1:500,000 geological map released by the Geological Survey of Western Australia this year.
The Loupe survey identified a relatively weak, but near-surface conductor and the company is encouraged by the result.
Follow-up surface geochemistry, geophysics and drilling are planned for Morris in 2021.
Future exploration
Nelson is planning extensive fieldwork programs in 2021, which include:
- Completion of the interpretation of Loupe survey results for Grindall and Redmill;
- Completion of the drilling program that is underway at Grindall and Redmill followed by planning of an enlarged drilling program;
- Drilling down-plunge from the known mineralisation at Socrates as well as testing of new drill targets identified from the recently completed Loupe survey;
- Induced Polarisation and electromagnetic geophysical surveys to map the disseminated sulphides at West Socrates to assist with the definition of additional drill targets; and
- Follow-up surface geochemistry, geophysics and drilling at the Morris nickel prospect, which will be done in conjunction with on-going exploration at the company’s Tempest gold and nickel project.
