LUNNON METALS LIMITED Lunnon Metals Limited provided an update on the status of its exploration programme at the Baker Shoot, an emerging discovery at the Kambalda Nickel Project (KNP). Immediately prior to the shutdown in drilling activities over the Christmas/New Year period, the Company reported that the 2021 RC infill programme had been completed. Due to a decision to initially dispatch only `priority' samples to the laboratory, based on mineralised zones identified through the use of portable XRF analysis, these smaller sample batches have now yielded substantially faster assay turnaround times than previously experienced.
Assay results are back for the first complete line of holes drilled in November and December with the following significant results (above 1% Ni cut-off grade): 7.0m @ 9.22% Ni from 123.0m downhole (ECO21RC_040); including; 6.0m @ 10.5% Ni from 124.0m1. 8.0m @ 2.52% Ni from 97.0m downhole (ECO21RC_022); including; 3.0m @ 4.74% Ni from 102.0m1. 6.0m @ 3.67% Ni from 132.0m downhole (ECO21RC_024); including; 4.0m @ 4.86% Ni from 133.0m11 Higher grades correspond to ultramafic hosted massive to semi-massive nickel sulphides ranging to more disseminated sulphides for the lower grades.
In nearly all cases, final nickel assay results are extremely close to, or better than, levels indicated by the in-field XRF analysis conducted whilst drilling was on foot. Importantly, the results for key elements such as Fe, Mg and S are also considered typical of those expected to be associated with Kambalda nickel sulphide mineralisation. As previously reported on the 16th December 2021, the zone of high grade, nickel sulphide mineralisation observed in these recent assay results is interpreted to be related to structures identified by DHTEM surveys (see announcements dated 19th October and 3rd December 2021 for references to DHTEM survey results).
Logging of diamond drill core indicates that these structures may thicken the mineralised zone, imparting a "pinching and swelling" character (see Figure 2). Structures may also have concentrated nickel in proximity to the blanket of laterally extensive mineralisation that formed the original "hanging-wall" target horizon at Baker. Final results and interpretation of the diamond holes will assist the Company to determine the extent of the very highest, thickest grade mineralisation.
Additionally, as was noted at Warren Shoot, these new Baker RC results include elevated platinum and palladium assays including: 6.0m @ 0.70g/t Pt and 1.55g/t Pd from 124.0m (ECO21RC_040); and 4.0m @ 0.61g/t Pt and 1.14g/t Pd from 133.0m (ECO21RC_024).
