- Azure Minerals (AZS) has received heritage approval for the proposed access tracks and drill sites at the VC-07 prospect in the Andover project
- In compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, Azure and representatives of the Traditional Owners of the Andover country have completed archaeological and ethnographical surveys for ground-disturbing and clearing activities over the proposed stage two drilling area
- With the surveys complete and approval of an updated program of work by DMIRS, the company can now push ahead with plans to complete a comprehensive drill-out of the VC-07 nickel-copper sulphide deposit
- Shares are 4.4 per cent higher at 35.5 cents apiece
Azure Minerals (AZS) has received heritage approval for the proposed access tracks and drill sites at the VC-07 prospect in the Andover project.
The company owns a 60 per cent share in the project which is located in Western Australia.
Early last month, diamond drill holes at the prospect successfully intersected sulphide mineralisation, extending the overall mineralised system up-dip, down-dip and along strike.
Now, in compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, Azure and representatives of the Traditional Owners of the Andover country have completed archaeological and ethnographical surveys for ground disturbing and clearing activities over the proposed stage two drilling area.
The surveys were conducted to a work program clearance standard which aims to identify any archaeological and ethnographic heritage values.
Also importantly, it provides boundaries of any areas of cultural value, negotiates deviations around areas of cultural sensitivity and provides relevant and informed heritage management recommendations for heritage values identified within the area.
Following the survey, Azure states that the areas required for the stage two drilling program have been assessed as archaeologically and ethnographically clear for works to proceed.
Along with the approval of an updated program of work by the Department of Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS), the company can now push ahead with plans to complete a comprehensive drill-out of the VC-07 nickel-copper sulphide deposit.
The company also aims to produce a JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate.
At the moment, a 30,000-metre drilling program is underway to define a mineral resource of nickel-copper sulphide mineralisation represented by the VC-07 electromagnetic conductor.
Azure said this body is interpreted to extend east–west over a 1050 metre strike length with a down-dip extent of around 300–400 metres and remains open at depth.
Further, the company believes this shows potential for a substantial nickel-copper sulphide deposit and, consequently, the drilling program planned for 2021 is focused on defining a JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate.
Initial drilling is defining the along-strike and depth extents of the mineralisation, with plans in place to be followed by closer-spaced, in-fill drilling to assess internal continuity and variability.
Shares are 4.4 per cent higher at 35.5 cents apiece at 12:13 pm AEST.