An 864-sample soil Auger survey conducted by Askari Metals on its Callawa project in Western Australia has indicated strong nickel sulphide mineralisation potential.
The survey completed on the project returned results up to 1,808ppm nickel, 2,349ppm chromium and 111ppm cobalt, with sample results indicating the strong nickel sulphide mineralisation potential could be associated with the elevated magnetic anomalism.
Magnesium and chrome content and the nickel to copper ratio of the sample results indicate potential peridotite/dunite-associated nickel mineralisation.
Future phases of work are being evaluated and may include a re-evaluation of existing high-definition magnetic data, and a second phase of closer-spaced soil sampling to better define the mineralisation and potential target.
The Callawa Project is located approximately 85km northeast of Marble Bar and covers more than 167km² of the Pilbara Craton. Historic rock sampling showed significant copper results of up to 19 per cent copper and data analysis identified nickel potential in the tenement.
These results are what prompted the company to complete an extensive soil auger program, with 864 soil samples taken from the prospective area. Results from this campaign show significant nickel potential in the target areas, including 1,808ppm nickel and 1,607ppm nickel.
The samples were assayed for the full multi-element suite, and several indicator minerals were scrutinised regarding their assayed value and their correlation to nickel and each other.
Elements related to deep weathering and alteration, like aluminium, returned generally low values, while other elements like vanadium, manganese, sodium and potassium were also not particularly elevated, indicating the area does not show the general nickel laterite characteristics, and this type of deposit is considered a low likelihood at this stage.
However, a strong correlation (above 90 per cent) between nickel, cobalt and chrome was identified, and a high correlation (above 80 per cent) between nickel and magnesium is also present. These correlations are significant as they indicate that several characteristic geological features of magmatic nickel sulphide mineralisation are likely present in the area.
Askari Metals’s Vice President of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts, said that the company is encouraged by the results of the soil geochemical campaign, which has demonstrated significant exploration potential.
“The East Pilbara has become an exploration hotspot for nickel, copper, gold and lithium with several major discoveries made and deposits developed. Nickel demand is on the rise as the critical metal is increasingly needed for the advancement of the global energy transition.
“Callawa presents an exciting opportunity to supply this demand, through development of a multi-commodity project with a focus on nickel and copper. The company is excited to begin further exploration of this new target and we look forward to keeping shareholders informed,” Mr Lambrechts said.
The company is set to design a follow-up soil auger program to complete the current dataset and define the mineralised target more clearly, before embarking on future exploration activities.
