Western Mines Wins $180K Grant to Drill Mulga Tank’s Nickel Komatiite
Western Mines Group has been awarded a $180,000 government grant to fund further drilling at its Mulga Tank nickel project, targeting a promising komatiite mineral system. This funding supports the company’s ongoing exploration efforts to delineate a significant nickel sulphide deposit in Western Australia.
- Awarded $180,000 under WA Government’s Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program
- Grant covers 50% of direct drilling costs for six new holes at Mulga Tank
- Targets ~1.3km long mineralised komatiite body within tenement E39/2134
- Builds on previous successful drilling confirming fertile nickel sulphide system
- Drilling planned to commence after 1 December 2025
Government Support Boosts Mulga Tank Exploration
Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX – WMG) has secured a $180,000 grant from the Western Australian State Government’s Co-funded Exploration Drilling Program. This award, part of the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), will co-fund 50% of the direct costs for six new drill holes at the Mulga Tank Ni-Co-Cu-PGE Project, a key asset in the company’s portfolio.
The grant was awarded through a competitive process that prioritises innovative drilling projects, underscoring the potential of Western Mines’ exploration strategy. The funding will specifically target a ~1.3-kilometre-long komatiite body within tenement E39/2134, north of the main Mulga Tank Complex.
Building on Proven Komatiite Mineralisation
Previous drilling programs at Mulga Tank have revealed a fertile komatiite system rich in nickel sulphide mineralisation. Notably, recent diamond drilling (hole MTD030) and reverse circulation (RC) holes have confirmed the presence of high-magnesium olivine cumulate and dunite lithologies with visible nickel sulphides. These findings have positioned Mulga Tank as Australia’s largest nickel sulphide deposit, with a mineral resource estimate exceeding 5 million tonnes of contained nickel.
The upcoming drilling campaign will include six RC holes, two with diamond tails, designed to further test and delineate this mineralised komatiite channel system. The program aims to expand understanding of the mineralisation’s extent and continuity, leveraging aeromagnetic imagery that highlights the target’s scale and geological complexity.
Strategic Implications and Next Steps
Western Mines’ chairman, Rex Turkington, praised the exploration team’s success in securing the maximum grant and highlighted the importance of continued drilling to unlock the project’s potential. The company plans to commence drilling after 1 December 2025, integrating this program into its broader exploration agenda.
With a market capitalization of approximately $24 million and a cash position of $1.56 million as of June 2025, Western Mines is well-positioned to advance its exploration activities. The new drilling results will be closely watched by investors eager for updates on resource growth and potential project development.
Overall, this government-backed funding represents a significant vote of confidence in Western Mines’ Mulga Tank project and its prospects for delivering high-value nickel sulphide discoveries in a globally strategic mineral belt.
Bottom Line?
Western Mines’ latest grant accelerates its quest to define one of Australia’s most promising nickel sulphide systems.
Questions in the middle?
- What initial assay results will reveal about the grade and continuity of the komatiite mineralisation?
- Could further drilling lead to a significant upgrade of the Mulga Tank Mineral Resource Estimate?
- Will Western Mines secure additional funding or partnerships to advance towards development?
