Western Mines Group is set to commence a major Phase 5 drilling campaign at its Mulga Tank nickel project, targeting high-grade zones and expanding its resource base with a mix of reverse circulation and diamond drilling.
- Phase 5 drilling to include ~10,000m across 32 holes
- Focus on high-grade nickel zones around MTRC046 and MTRC066
- Combination of reverse circulation and diamond drilling
- Drilling funded by recent capital raise and Exploration Incentive Scheme grants
- Seven co-funded holes planned on neighbouring tenement testing mineralised komatiite
Phase 5 Drilling Program Overview
Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX, WMG) has announced plans to advance its Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-Co-PGE Project in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields with a substantial Phase 5 drilling program. Building on previous exploration success, the company intends to drill approximately 32 holes totalling around 10,000 metres. This program combines reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling techniques to both infill existing resources and explore new targets within tenements E39/2132 and E39/2134.
The drilling campaign is well-funded, supported by a recent capital raise and two successful Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grants, which will co-fund seven holes targeting a mineralised komatiite body on a neighbouring tenement. The program is scheduled to commence imminently, following the completion of the remaining Phase 4 holes.
Targeting High-Grade Nickel Zones
A key focus of Phase 5 is to follow up on high-grade nickel intersections previously identified around drill holes MTRC046 and MTRC066. These holes returned impressive results, including intervals with nickel grades exceeding 1% and up to nearly 2% in some sections, alongside significant cobalt and copper values. The company plans 25 holes within the main Mulga Tank Complex to better understand these high-grade zones, reduce drill spacing, and upgrade resource confidence.
Additionally, the program aims to test new areas up-dip from richer basal zones, potentially expanding shallow, open-pittable nickel resources. The inclusion of diamond tails on some RC holes will provide detailed geological information on the structure and orientation of mineralisation, critical for future resource modelling and mine planning.
Exploring New Frontiers and Komatiite Targets
Beyond the main complex, Western Mines Group will drill seven co-funded holes on tenement E39/2134 to test a ~1.5km mineralised komatiite body. This target was identified through aeromagnetic surveys and confirmed by a recent diamond hole that revealed a dynamic komatiite flow system with abundant sulphide mineralisation. These holes will leverage recent geophysical surveys to refine targeting and assess the potential for significant nickel sulphide deposits in this underexplored area.
The company is also testing new areas on the western margin of the Mulga Tank Complex, where previous drilling has indicated shallower basal contacts and enriched mineralised horizons. This exploration could uncover additional resources closer to surface, enhancing the project's economic prospects.
Strategic Position and Outlook
Western Mines Group’s Mulga Tank project is already recognised as Australia's largest nickel sulphide deposit, with a Mineral Resource Estimate exceeding 5 million tonnes of contained nickel. The Phase 5 drilling program is designed to build on this foundation, aiming to increase resource size and grade, which could improve the project's attractiveness for future development and investment.
Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott emphasised the company's readiness to capitalise on favourable nickel prices and the strong funding position. The systematic approach to drilling and exploration reflects confidence in the project's potential to deliver high-value nickel-cobalt-copper-PGE mineralisation.
Bottom Line?
As Western Mines Group embarks on this critical drilling phase, the market will be watching closely for results that could reshape the Mulga Tank project's future.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 5 drilling confirm and expand the high-grade nickel zones around MTRC046 and MTRC066?
- How might results from the komatiite targets on tenement E39/2134 influence the overall resource potential?
- What impact could these exploration outcomes have on the timing and scale of potential mining operations?