Great Southern investigates WA nickel project

Junior explorer Great Southern Mining is further investigating the size and extent of two bedrock conductors with a follow-up fixed-loop electromagnetic, or “FLEM” survey commencing at its East Laverton project in Western Australia.

The conductors modelled from the recent moving-loop electromagnetic, or “MLEM” survey are considered highly prospective for massive nickel sulfide mineralisation.

One identified anomaly spans a massive 2km by 1km and lines up with the edge of a regional gravity anomaly that Great Southern says provides a “compelling drill target”.

The prominent electromagnetic bedrock conductor identified at the East Laverton project also sits close to the edge of the interpreted Diorite Hill magmatic complex that the company considers to be a favourable position for massive sulfide accumulation.

Management says a closer spaced FLEM survey has been designed by leading exploration and geophysical consultant Newexco and will aim to home in on the strike and dip of the modelled conductors to assist with finessing the final targets for upcoming drilling.

Drawing off the success of the likes of Sirius Resources at its revered Nova-Bollinger nickel mine and Chalice Mining’s spectacular Julimar nickel-PGE discovery, Great Southern says the Diorite Hill intrusion shows all the hallmarks to host similar magmatic-style nickel sulfide mineralisation.

A quick study of history will show Chalice Mining’s share price bumbled along perilously close to the $0.10 mark prior to drilling a reported “strong, discrete moving-loop electromagnetic conductor” in the opening months of 2020. The results of that program resulted in the spectacular discovery of the Julimar nickel sulfide deposit and sent the company’s share price into the stratosphere.

The recent modern ground MLEM survey was the first over the Diorite Hill magmatic complex and has already thrown up some intriguing targets in a favourable geological setting.

Great Southern Mining’s Executive Chairman, John Terpu, said: “Whilst the Company is busy advancing its gold projects in Laverton with further drill program set to commence at Southern Star, The East Laverton Nickel Project presents an opportunity for GSN to make a company changing discovery. Based on the MLEM survey from 2021, the highly prospective nickel-sulfide target is of the size and scale that presents a compelling drill target. With the conductors being modelled in the bedrock and on the edge of a regional gravity anomaly, the target is in a favourable position for massive sulfide accumulation. This fixed-loop electromagnetic survey is the next step to further refine this target for drill testing.”

An extra $1.6 million tipped into the till courtesy of a recently oversubscribed capital raising will go a long way to accelerate Great Southern’s exploration activities at the newly identified conductor target at the East Laverton nickel project, along with funding further drilling at the company’s evolving Southern Star and Amy Clarke gold projects in WA.

As Great Southern charges into the next phase of exploration at its East Laverton nickel project, it remains to be seen if another company-defining discovery can be made in a nickel market that has regained some of its former vigour.

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