- Junior nickel explorer Estrella Resources (ESR) unveils “exceptional” assay results from a recent bout of drilling completed at its Spargoville project near Kambalda in WA
- The first diamond hole drilled as part of this program returned nickel grades of up to 10.34 per cent, with other holes showing visual high-grade nickel hits
- Estrella says these results, along with further assays, are expected to support the company’s decision to fast-track the 5A resource toward mining operations
- Estrella has received approvals to obtain a bulk metallurgical sample from the area for third-party treatment
- Shares in Estrella Resources last traded at 1.8 cents on June 29
Junior nickel explorer Estrella Resources (ESR) has unveiled “exceptional” assay results from a recent bout of drilling completed at its Spargoville project near Kambalda in WA.
The results come from a confirmation drilling program across the project’s 5A resource, with 60 per cent of the planned holes completed.
The first diamond hole to be drilled as part of this program returned a 3.4-metre hit at 8.2 per cent nickel, 0.6 per cent copper, 0.2 per cent cobalt, and 21.5 per cent sulphur from 65.16 metres downhole. This included a 2.66-metre zone grading 10.34 per cent nickel from 65.64 metres.
Estrella said these results were “highly encouraging”, with further assays expected to support the company’s decision to fast-track the 5A resource toward mining operations.
“With these initial results, indications for Estrella to be transitioning to producer status in the near term from the 5A ore body look very positive,” Estrella Managing Director Chris Daws said.
“The high grade of the massive sulphide is exceptional and is common in this type of nickel system, typical of Kambalda style komatiites.”
The company said other holes in the program had returned visual high-grade nickel hits, including a 2.3-metre transitional massive nickel sulphide from 68.5 metres and a 3.7-metre transitional massive nickel sulphide from 68.6 metres.
Looking ahead, Estrella said it had received approvals to obtain a bulk metallurgical sample from the area for third-party treatment, with this sample to be extracted shortly and to provide a small cash flow from being processed.
Shares in Estrella Resources last traded at 1.8 cents on June 29.