Auroch Minerals returns 4.64 metres at 2.99% nickel and 0.13% copper in diamond drill hole at Nepean Nickel Project

Auroch Minerals Ltd (ASX:AOU) is higher after tabling the latest results of up to 4.64 metres at 2.99% nickel and 0.13% copper from 71.58 metres at the Nepean Project in Western Australia, confirming the high-grade and high tenor of near-surface nickel sulphide mineralisation. The intersection is from the first drill-hole of a three-hole diamond program completed in May 2021 with shares as much as 11% higher intra-day to 21 cents. Diamond hole NPDD007 was drilled into the known shallow high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation directly south of the historic Nepean nickel mine. It was completed with the aim of gaining better understanding of the assemblages and textures of the sulphides, as well as to initiate thin-section studies and metallurgical test-work on this near-surface mineralisation. “Amazed by mineralisation” Auroch managing director Aidan Platel said: “We continue to be amazed by the nickel sulphide mineralisation at Nepean. “The high nickel grades seen in the net-textured sulphide mineralisation in hole NPDD007, which historically was referred to as the 'triangular ore zone’ mineralisation, is testament to the high nickel tenor (nickel content in the sulphides) of Nepean. “This highlights how we can potentially achieve very high-grade nickel intersections from zones of relatively little sulphides, which has huge implications for how we go about exploring the 10km of potential strike at Nepean, as well as for the upcoming Nepean Deeps drill programme. “As we draw closer to the start of our Nepean Deeps program, we are getting more excited by the potential to encounter significant nickel sulphide mineralisation. “Our planning session with renowned nickel sulphide geoscientists was a great success, and I would like to thank them all for their participation and input.” Nepean Deeps diamond drilling Earlier this month the Auroch held a strategic planning session for the upcoming Nepean Deeps maiden diamond drill program. Expert nickel sulphide geologists Grant 'Rocky' Osborne and John Hicks, along with nickel sulphide expert geophysicist Russell Mortimer and Bill Clayton (Lodestar Minerals Ltd) joined the experienced Auroch technical team to assess all the existing data at Nepean and to plan the upcoming drilling to test for nickel sulphide mineralisation below the historic mine workings The first two diamond drill holes of the program have been planned to a down-hole depth of 1,200 metres to be used as both geophysical platform holes and to test projected footwall positions below previous underground workings that were cut off by pegmatite veins. Geophysical surveys such as DHEM, as well as possible down-hole magnetometric resistivity (MMR) and/or down-hole induced polarisation (IP) will be used to test for any conductive units that may represent nickel sulphide mineralisation within a radius of approximately 75 – 150 metres from each drill hole. Further drill holes will then be planned to test any target areas that may arise from the initial drilling. Preparation for the maiden Nepean Deeps diamond drill program is proceeding on schedule with the program to begin within the next two weeks. Regional RC program Three reverse circulation (RC) drill-holes for 744 metres have been drilled into the discrete strong (5,000-15,000S) Moving Loop Electromagnetic (MLEM) conductor 1.8 kilometres south of the Nepean Nickel Mine. DHEM surveys of the three drill holes have been prioritised and will be completed this week, in order to confirm the source and accurate position of the initial MLEM plate. Samples have been sent to the ALS laboratory for analytical assays. When received, the results from both the assays and DHEM surveys will determine what further work is required to test this target. Ongoing test-work Half drill-core samples of diamond hole NPDD007 were taken for the initial geochemical analysis, while quarter core samples have been subsequently taken of the high-grade intercepts to be used in a geophysical properties test. Auroch will investigate the conductive properties of this ore type in order to help direct geophysical targeting along the Nepean strike and Nepean Deeps target area. This core will also be used to make polished thin sections to identify the sulphide mineralogy of this unusually high tenor ore (i.e. 20% nickel concentration in 100% sulphides). The remaining core, and core from further planned diamond drilling into the shallow mineralisation, will be used for ongoing metallurgical investigations.