Leeuwin Metals

Maiden Drill Program Delivers Multiple Sulphide Hits at the William Lake Nickel Project

Critical metals explorer Leeuwin Metals Ltd (Leeuwin or the Company) (ASX: LM1) is pleased announce an update on the progress of drilling activities at the Company’s 100% owned William Lake Nickel Project (William Lake) in Manitoba, Canada.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • Confirmation of significant nickel sulphide mineralisation in all drill holes solidifies William Lake as a major nickel system within the world-class Thompson nickel belt
  • Drilling to date has intersected multiple zones of massive sulphide and disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation
  • Significant intercept from hole WL23-367, at the W56 target:
    • 1.4m massive to semi massive sulphide zone with spot pXRF of 5% Ni within 24m zone of disseminated nickeliferous sulphides from 227.2m
  • Drilling is ongoing, with 8 holes completed, totalling ~4,000m; priority assays expected in coming weeks
  • Untested geophysical anomalies have been identified through down hole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys at the high-priority prospects of W21 and W56
  • Highly encouraging mineralisation intercepted in all drill holes extending zones beyond the historic nickel sulphide intercepts
  • Completion of on-site visit by Glencore technical committee
Managing Director, Christopher Piggott, commented:
 

“The results from our first drill program confirms that William Lake is a significant nickel system within the world-class Thompson nickel belt. Drilling has intersected nickel sulphides in all holes to date affirming the presence of significant mineralisation.

This successful start to our exploration program has not only confirmed the accuracy of our existing geological model but has also showcased the immense scale of the project. The utilisation of drilling and DHEM techniques has further reinforced the view that our project represents a significant nickel system. Given the desirability of high-grade Class 1 nickel deposits in the context of the green energy transition, Leeuwin is in an ideal position to capitalise on this opportunity at William Lake.

Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Glencore technical committee personnel for their attendance during the project site visit. Their presence and input are greatly appreciated.

We look forward to updating the market in the coming weeks, as we receive results from our assays.”

Figure 1: W56 prospect - WL23-367 Massive Sulphides at 227.2m and net texture sulphides at 248.5m.

Figure 2: W21 prospect - WL23-370 Stringer Sulphides from 400m including a 30cm zone of semi massive sulphides - left (90% pyrrhotite, 10% pentlandite).

Initial Drilling and DHEM

The Company’s maiden drill program continues to be a success, providing confirmation of the geological model, and identifying extensive areas of pentlandite-rich massive to disseminated sulphides. The drilling has been focused on extending known high-grade nickel mineralisation at the W56 and W21 prospects through +100m step-out drill holes. The results support the interpreted continuity of mineralisation and provides further geological information to enable targeting of higher grade zones. Assays for all holes are currently pending, but we expect results to be available in the coming weeks. See Table 2 of Appendix A for a summary of significant visual intercepts.

Initial DHEM testing at W21 has identified a large conductor measuring 200m x 60m, which coincides with higher grades of nickel mineralisation in historical drilling. We anticipate the results of further surveys are anticipated shortly, providing additional insights into the deposit.

W56 Prospect - Summary of Results

Four holes, totalling ~2,100m of diamond drilling, have been completed at the W56 target, which is a large-scale prospect. Historical data indicates a continuity of high tenor nickel sulphides along a trend of over 2km. Leeuwin’s maiden drill program was specifically designed to target interpreted high-grade shoots. All four holes have intersected nickeliferous sulphides within the target horizon, effectively extending the mineralisation along strike and up-dip from historical intercepts (refer to Appendix B Table 1 for details).

To the northwest of the W56 target, drill hole WL23-367 has intercepted a zone of 1.4m of massive to semi-massive sulphides (50% pyrrhotite, 20% pyrite and 5% pentlandite) at a depth of 227.2m. This sulphide zone is part of a broader 24m interval containing disseminated and net-textured nickeliferous sulphides, from 227.2m (15% pyrrhotite and 1% pentlandite) (refer Figure 1). Portable X- ray Fluorescence (pXRF) spot readings within the semi-massive sulphide zone at 227.5m ranged from 0.9% Ni up to 5% Ni, while concentrations of net to heavy disseminated sulphides within the wider interval exhibited spot pXRF readings ranging from 0.5% Ni up to 3% Ni.

Hole WL23-367 is a 180m up dip extension to high-grade nickel mineralisation intercepted in WL96- 168, where a historical result of 7.83m @ 1.73% Ni from 572m was obtained in the main target horizon (refer to historical results in the Company's Prospectus on the ASX, dated 28/03/2023).


Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Leeuwin Metals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.

The Conversation (0)
Closeup of periodic table highlighting nickel with a nickel block on its symbol.

South32 Announces Up to US$100 Million Sale of Cerro Matoso, Shifts Focus to Critical Minerals

South32 (ASX:S32,OTC Pink:SHTLF) said on Monday (July 7) that it has agreed to sell the Cerro Matoso nickel mine in Colombia to a subsidiary of CoreX Holding following recent changes in the nickel market.

South32 now plans to focus on critical minerals, describing its flagship Hermosa project in Patagonia as a “next generation mine.” Hermosa hosts the zinc-lead-silver Taylor sulphide deposit, and the zinc-manganese-silver Clark oxide deposit.

"The Transaction is consistent with our strategy and will further streamline our portfolio toward higher margin businesses in minerals and metals critical to the world’s energy transition,” said South32 CEO Graham Kerr.

Keep reading...Show less
FPX Nickel (TSXV:FPX)

FPX Nickel Completes Production Run of Battery-Grade Nickel Sulphate to Support Discussions with Prospective EV Battery Supply Chain Partners

FPX Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FPX) (OTCQB: FPOCF) ("FPX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce successful production of additional battery-grade nickel sulphate from its Baptiste Nickel Project ("Baptiste" or the "Project"). Building on the success of previous testing campaigns, a production run was completed to produce larger quantities of nickel sulphate crystals. The nickel sulphate samples, which meet the strict target specifications for battery applications, will be provided to selected prospective downstream partners including pCAM producers, battery companies, and automakers pursuing supply security, traceable sourcing, and low carbon intensity production.

"The production of high-purity nickel sulphate further positions us to engage in strategic discussions with prospective downstream partners across the global EV supply chain," commented Martin Turenne, FPX Nickel's President and Director. "This milestone further demonstrates the strategic flexibility of the Baptiste awaruite concentrate and the technical maturity of the awaruite refining process."

Keep reading...Show less
Nickel bars in front of a world map.

Top 9 Nickel-producing Countries

The top nickel producing countries list has been shaken in recent years by Indonesia's rapid rise to the top, beating the Philippines and New Caledonia.

Demand for nickel is mounting. Stainless steel accounts for the vast majority of nickel demand, but electric vehicle (EV) batteries represent a growing application for the base metal as the shift toward a greener future gains steam.

But while nickel's long-term outlook appears bright, it may face headwinds in the short term. Nickel prices have been trending down since breaking US$20,000 per metric ton in May 2024 as weak usage coincides with strong output from top producer Indonesia.

Keep reading...Show less
Ni-Co Energy

Ni-Co Energy Set to Mobilize Critical Minerals Exploration just 90 km from Montreal

Ni-Co Energy Inc. announces that its technical team will be mobilized to the Kremer property around mid-June 2025. The project is located approximately 90 km north of downtown Montreal and about 15 km from the nearest municipality, in a remote forested area with access via an existing road and close proximity to the hydroelectric grid.

Meet The Team:

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×