Estrella delivers more high-grade WA nickel sulphides

Mineral explorer, Estrella Resources continues to hit nickel and copper sulphides at its enthralling T5 discovery, located at its Carr Boyd project near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. A step-out diamond drill hole, CBDD057, below the T5 discovery has intercepted three separate zones of nickel and copper sulphides, including a new mineralised zone where a three metre interval grading 1.76 per cent nickel and 0.66 per cent copper was returned. Notably, the new mineralised zone also contains 1.10 grams per tonne platinum and palladium combined which lies beneath two existing zones of mineralisation also intercepted in the hole – the ‘upper zone’ and the ‘lower zone’. Estrella says results from the drill hole represent some of the best grades returned at its T5 discovery so far. The diamond hole intercepted the upper zone from 406.8 metres to deliver a serious 11.62m strike going 0.90 per cent nickel and 0.46 per cent copper, with platinum and palladium clocking in at 0.61 g/t combined. Drilling in the lower zone returned 12.8m at 0.96 per cent nickel, 0.79 per cent copper and 0.85 g/t platinum and palladium from 508.6m. The intercept in the lower zone also includes three higher grade intervals, with nickel grade reaching an impressive 4.30 per cent over a 0.7m section. Estrella has been the talk of the town since its discovery hole at T5 late last year returned a head-turning 13.9m hit going 1.07 per cent nickel and 0.39 per cent copper from 431.6m. A succession of nickel and copper sulphide strikes have subsequently followed. The company recently concluded its ‘phase-three’ drilling campaign at T5, delivering multiple sulphide hits including 13.4m at 1.3 per cent nickel and 0.40 per cent copper and 25.32m at 0.79 per cent nickel and 0.58 per cent copper. An ongoing ‘phase-four’ drilling campaign is now testing the lateral extent of the T5 mineralised horizon. The program already appears to be bearing fruit with recent drilling at the Broonhill prospect intercepting sulphides some 1.4km north of T5. According to the company drilling has so far has defined a mineralised strike length of the targeted basal contact between T5 and Broonhill that stretches for more than 2km. Estrella says it has drilled about 4,600m at Broonhill in the last eight weeks, with assays pending. The company plans to fast-track the campaign by utilising a better equipped rig for the remainder of the program. In total, Estrella plans to sink about 25,000m into Broonhill and its other high priority prospects, Mossgiel and Gossan Hill, by mid next year. The three targets lie along “the most prospective” western basal contact which, according to Estrella, have seen minimal or no historical drilling. At Broonhill, Estrella has defined a strike length stretching for more than 3.5km. About 5km south, the undrilled Gossan Hill hosts a similar length strike and shows a geological likeness to Broonhill, the company says. Once drilling at Broonhill has concluded, Estrella also plans to drill test Mossgiel where a 2km plus target length has been identified. With nickel-copper sulphide hits from T5 continuing to roll in and a major drilling blitz now gathering steam, Estrella will be looking to finish the year on a high with a treasure trove of new nickel-copper strikes at Carr Boyd. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@wanews.com.au