Panoramic Resources Limited presented an update on regional exploration programs presently ongoing at the Savannah Nickel Project in Western Australia.
Surface DHEM
DHEM surveys are now ongoing in previously drilled holes SMD188 and SMD190 in the Stoney Creek Intrusion and SMD191 and SMD192 in the Northern Ultramafic Granulite Intrusion. In preparation for the survey, all four holes have been cased, together with the underground diamond drill holes that were previously conducted through the Savannah Extension, above and below the 900 Fault.
Surface Drill Targets at Savannah Nickel Project
According to Panoramic, the Kimberley dry season has begun, with access tracks and drill pads now in place in preparation for Savannah surface exploratory diamond drilling to begin. This dry season, DDH1 Drilling has been contracted to drill at least three surface diamond holes totalling around 1,500m. The drill program’s primary goal is to test the southeastern contact of the Dave Hill Intrusion and to conduct follow-up holes at the Keller Creek Graphite potential.
Dave Hill / Wilson Creek Complex
The Dave Hill / Wilson Creek Complex is located directly south of the Savannah Nickel Project. The Dave Hill and Wilson Creek layered cumulate bodies were originally thought to be two different intrusions, but Panoramic’s mapping, drilling, and other research reveal they are part of a single complex intrusion.
A 2018 drill program at Dave Hill/Wilson Creek revealed this layered complex’s 3D design. It reinforced the assumption that Dave Hill and Wilson Creek are part of a massive “bathtub” incursion like Savannah North. The more potential MgO-rich (ultramafic) lithologies are limited to a “tube-like” conduit centrally within the intrusion, unlike Savannah North. The intrusion’s southeastern edge includes a secondary ultramafic rock potential. Surficial geophysical methods cannot reach this contact location, hence drilling is planned.
Keller Creek Graphite
Keller Creek Graphite is west of Savannah. Regional airborne electromagnetic studies by the Company for nickel sulphide mineralisation found multiple major stratigraphic horizons of graphite-bearing meta-sediments (Tickalara Metamorphics) over the Keller Creek property.
Panoramic completed a preliminary reverse circulation (RC) drill test of the primary graphite bearing horizon over a 5 km strike length in 2019. 14 RC drill holes totalling 1,368 drill metres yielded 1,074 one-metre graphite-bearing samples for testing.
According to Panoramic, the 2023 diamond drilling program will improve on the RC program and identify the graphite bearing horizon’s real thickness and TGC concentration. After drilling, lithogeochemistry, graphite flake potential, and metallurgical testwork can be studied.
