Maximus probes WA nickel target

ASX-listed Maximus Resources has embarked on a 7,000 metre, multi-target diamond drilling campaign at its Hilditch West nickel target near Kambalda, WA. The company will kick off the program with a 500m hole targeting strong magnetic anomalies along strike from previous nickel, copper and cobalt intersections. Previous drilling at Hilditch saw Maximus hit 5m at 1.2 per cent nickel. Drilling is expected to be complected by the end of October.

The company’s latest round of drilling follows its maiden RC campaign that successfully intersected highly anomalous nickel, copper, cobalt and scandium mineralisation across a 500m strike. Subsequent petrological analysis confirmed the presence of numerous nickel sulphide minerals that the company says are typically observed in Kambalda-style nickel deposits.

The gold and nickel developer then followed up the results with a geophysical survey at the Hilditch West nickel target. The data acquired through this survey was then used to build a 3D model where a highly magnetic zone was identified.

The company says the magnetic anomalies likely indicate the presence of large pyrrhotite concentrations that may be associated with Kambalda-style nickel and sulphide deposits.

Mincor Resources recently used magnetics to identify mineralisation at its Hartley Prospect some 37km away.

The team are excited to commence our ~7,000m multi-target diamond drill campaign starting at the exciting Hilditch West nickel target, made possible following our strongly supported $12 million placement.

Hilditch West is a very compelling target, having the key signatures of a magnetic high anomaly, a strong late-time EM conductor and in an area of proven nickel sulfide mineralisation, provides an ideal setting for a Kambalda-style nickel sulfide discovery.

Interestingly, Maximus’ Hilditch West nickel target is located a mere 25km from mining juggernaut BHP’s nickel concentrator plant in Kambalda that processes ore procured from third party suppliers.

Drilling at Hilditch is expected to be completed in two weeks and Maximus will subsequently move its diamond drill rig to the company’s Redback gold prospect where drilling will commence on two government co-funded holes.

Management says the two holes that are supported by the Exploration Incentive Scheme, or “EIS”, have the potential to extend the mineralisation at Redback.

All eyes will now be fixed on Maximus as the diamond drill rig looks to make good on promising magnetic anomalies and unearth high-grade nickel sulphides across the Hilditch nickel target.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au