Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX:WMG) has released assay results from three Phase 4 reverse circulation drill holes at its Mulga Tank Project, confirming broad zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation with notable high-grade intervals. Drilling continues amid weather and fuel supply challenges.
- Phase 4 drilling at Mulga Tank confirms broad nickel sulphide mineralisation
- Hole MTRC069 returned a standout 1m interval grading 4.35% nickel
- Results support a hybrid Type 1/2 nickel sulphide system with potential for resource growth
- Drilling progress impacted by weather and fuel availability, prompting switch to diamond drilling
- Phase 5 drilling planned to target high-grade zones and extend mineralisation
Assay Results Highlight Nickel Sulphide Mineralisation
Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX:WMG) has provided an update on assay results from three Phase 4 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes, MTRC068, MTRC069, and MTRC071, at its Mulga Tank Project, located within the Minigwal Greenstone Belt in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields. The results confirm broad zones of nickel sulphide mineralisation, with elevated nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and platinum group elements (PGE) including platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd).
Hole MTRC069 was a standout, returning 225 metres at 0.32% Ni from 93 metres depth, including a 27-metre zone grading 0.61% Ni and a high-grade 4-metre interval at 2.17% Ni. Within this, a 1-metre section graded 4.35% Ni, 0.17% Co, 0.19% Cu, and 0.29 g/t Pt+Pd, marking the second highest nickel grade recorded at the project to date.
Geological Context and Mineralisation Style
The Mulga Tank Complex hosts an extensive ultramafic body characterised by high magnesium oxide (MgO) adcumulate dunite, indicative of high-temperature formation conditions. The assay results demonstrate evidence of “live” magmatic sulphide processes, supported by elevated sulphur (S) to nickel ratios and anomalous chalcophile elements such as copper and PGEs. This geochemical signature suggests the presence of potentially recoverable nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Western Mines interprets Mulga Tank as a hybrid Type 1/2 nickel sulphide system, combining characteristics of both disseminated and massive sulphide deposits. This interpretation is supported by the presence of multiple shallow intersections exceeding 1% Ni across a 2-kilometre area within the main body of the complex, including the high-grade zones identified in the recent drilling.
Drilling Progress and Operational Challenges
The Phase 4 drilling program aimed to infill and extend the current mineral resource estimate, particularly targeting the centre and southern extents of the Mulga Tank Complex. However, drilling progress has been affected by local road closures due to weather and emerging fuel supply constraints. In response, the company has shifted from more fuel-intensive RC drilling to diamond drilling where possible to conserve fuel reserves, which are estimated to last two to three weeks on site.
Despite these challenges, drilling continues with several holes recently completed or underway, including diamond tails and full diamond holes. The company plans to follow up on high-grade zones identified in Phase 4 with Phase 5 drilling, focusing on areas around holes MTRC046 and MTRC066, which have previously returned some of the best assay results at Mulga Tank.
Implications and Next Steps
These latest assay results contribute to Western Mines’ growing understanding of the Mulga Tank nickel sulphide system and reinforce the potential for significant resource expansion. The identification of new high-grade zones near MTRC069, close to previously reported high-grade copper intersections, highlights areas warranting further exploration.
Western Mines continues to integrate these findings into its exploration targeting strategy, aiming to delineate thicker and higher-grade mineralised zones within what the company considers a large and prospective hybrid nickel sulphide system. The company’s ongoing Phase 5 drilling campaign is expected to provide additional data to refine resource estimates and support future development planning.
Bottom Line?
Western Mines’ recent assay results underscore the potential for high-grade nickel sulphide mineralisation at Mulga Tank, though operational delays and resource definition remain factors to monitor as drilling progresses.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing weather and fuel supply challenges affect the timeline and scale of Western Mines’ drilling programs?
- What impact will Phase 5 drilling results have on the current mineral resource estimate and project economics?
- To what extent can the hybrid Type 1/2 nickel sulphide model at Mulga Tank support the discovery of additional high-grade zones?