New soil assays from Strickland Metals’ Iroquois discovery show copper highs that map an interpreted feeder zone structure for zinc-lead mineralisation. The recent zinc-lead discovery holes are located on the western edge of the feeder zone that is more than 1.5km long, creating excitement for the next round of drilling targeting the structure and its eastern side. Notably, the company says a second feeder structure may exist in a parallel setting 1.5km to the southeast. Iroquois is in the Earaheedy Basin, WA’s newest base metals hotspot.
Strickland conducted a detailed soil sampling programme at Iroquois after the October 2021 zinc-lead discovery drilling. 1,565 soil samples were collected on a 25m spacing east-west and 100m north-south. Results have outlined a broad multi-element soil anomaly that includes copper, silver, lead, tin, zinc and tungsten over 1.5km in length and a second anomaly to the southeast. Soil results get better to the east and northeast of the recent drilling and both anomalies remain undrilled.
The broad multi-element anomalies, in particular the copper anomalism, are believed by the company to be feeder zones for the mineralising zinc-lead fluids. Copper in soil is interpreted by Strickland to map the feeder structures very accurately.
The company says the detection of a second similar anomaly identifies a potential parallel feeder zone structure about 1.5km to the southeast. Faulting from the main zone leads directly to the interpreted second feeder zone.
Drilling to date has occurred west of the interpreted feeder structure and the company says the results are a big step forward in effectively drill targeting the zinc-lead mineralisation and in locating additional feeder zones. The interpreted feeder zone structures and adjacent areas provide targets for drilling that will occur as soon as possible.
Further soil sampling will be conducted to define the extent of the two anomalies that are at present open along strike in both directions. Strickland is considering a ground based induced polarisation survey to assist with identification of metal sulphides for drill targeting.
Heritage surveys are scheduled for early April prior to follow-up RC drilling.
Strickland’s Iroquois zinc-lead discovery in the Earaheedy Basin is 80 per cent owned by the company and 20 per cent by Gibb River Diamonds. Iroquois is directly along strike and has the same tenor of mineralisation as Rumble Resources’ Earaheedy zinc-lead discovery according to Strickland. The company says it has all the hallmark characteristics of a Mississippi Valley-type zinc-lead deposit.
Drilling by Strickland at Iroquois in 2021 produced some exciting results including 23m at 5.5 per cent combined zinc-lead, 12m going 5.4 per cent zinc-lead and 20m grading 2.4 per cent zinc.
Strickland says it will have at least two drilling rigs on the ground for the remainder of 2022 between the Iroquois discovery and its Yandal belt gold projects. Drilling will be timed with heritage clearance and the interpretation of soil and drilling results.
At Yandal, Strickland is drilling flat out to feed into a planned mineral resource upgrade the company says is likely to comprise a significant addition to the current 630,000-ounce resource.
Strong, long and undrilled parallel soil anomalies the company has identified as feeder zone structures for zinc-lead mineralisation provide possible game-changing targets for Strickland at Iroquois. Add in its quest to join the elusive 1-million-ounce gold club at Yandal and Strickland could provide plenty to get excited about in the coming months.
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By Matt Birney
