Toro Energy has recorded its third discovery of massive and semi-massive nickel sulphides at its Dusty nickel project in WA, taking the prospective strike length at the site to at least 7.5km.
The latest discovery, named Jumping Jack, was from a 3.4m intersection from 240.3m including a 1.4m-thick lens of massive nickel sulphides.
The Dusty project falls within Toro’s 100 per cent owned Yandal gold project in WA’s north-eastern Goldfields.
Toro says spot analysis of the recent discovery using portable X-ray fluorescence shows a concentration of between 1.44 and 4.66 per cent nickel.
Geochemical sampling of the mineralised core has been completed, however the company says because of industry-wide delays in laboratories throughout Australia assay results are not expected until later this year.
Toro Energy Executive Chairman, Richard Homsany said: “It is clear that Toro is drilling in a wide zone of nickel sulphide mineralisation. The exploration success we have enjoyed to date and the uncapped potential nickel endowment at Dusty represents an exciting stage for Toro shareholders.”
The latest intersection was in the same stratigraphic position as the previously reported Dusty 1 and Dusty 2 discoveries that also recorded massive and semi-massive nickel sulphide.
Toro says because of confusion over its naming conventions, Dusty 1 will now be referred to as Dusty whilst Dusty 2 has been renamed Houli Dooley.
Jumping Jack was drilled about 500m south-south-east of Houli Dooley that in turn was discovered 400m south-east of Dusty.
The Dusty project is just 50km east of the world-class Mt Keith nickel deposit, operated by BHP.
The Geological Survey of Western Australia ranked Mt Keith as number two for nickel resources, behind Ardea Resources’ Kalgoorlie nickel project.
Toro says komatiite extends to the north of the Dusty discovery for about 1.5km, which remains untested by drilling and extends for about 5km south of Jumping Jack, also untested by drilling.
Toro Energy’s drill rig will remain at Jumping Jack to steepen the drilling angle and test for nickel sulphides about 20-30m down-dip from the latest discovery.
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By Matt Birney
