HEXAGON ENERGY MATERIALS LIMITED Hexagon Energy Materials Limited announced the first phase of the RC exploration program has been successfully completed at its McIntosh Ni-Cu-PGE Project in the East Kimberley Region of northern Western Australia. Samples from the 823m RC drilling program have been submitted for analysis with results expected in First Quarter 2023. The program focused on defined high Priority drill targets which include IP Anomaly A & B which were discovered by Hexagon via previous IP surveys over the Greater Mellon Patch area conducted in 2021, also Anomaly 22 and Anomaly 9 which were identified in a geophysical review of the project undertaken by the company.
With disseminated sulphide visually identified in 2 of the 4 targets, down hole Electro Magnetic work will be carried out at Anomaly 22 & 9 locations shortly. Drill Program: The completed drill program tested the following 4 high-priority geophysical anomalies: Two untested Airborne Electro Magnetic (AEM) anomalies Anomaly 22 and Anomaly 9; Two untested ground Induced Polarisation (IP) anomalies A and B. EM Anomaly 9: Anomaly 9 lies within the Wild Dog Creek Gabbro (WDCG) intrusion and is located near an inliers of older Panton intrusive rocks, with a coincidental historic Ni-Cu soil anomaly (see HXG ASX Announcement 28 June 2021). Hole 22HXRC001 was drilled to target this anomaly, geological observation identifying a mafic intrusive package (WDCG).
The visual log also identified fine grained disseminated sulphides including suspected Bornite (<1%) observed proximal to the interpreted EM conductor from 66m to 103m. Assays are currently pending, and a downhole EM survey planned. IP Anomalies A & B: The Melon Patch intrusion was identified as a priority Ni-Cu-PGE target by Hexagon in 2021 (see HXG ASX Announcement 28 June 2021).
A Reconnaissance dipole-dipole IP/resistivity surveying of the northern margin of the Melon Patch mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex was completed in 2021 (see HXG ASX announcement 11 November 2021). The survey was designed to cover an area of strong Ni-Cu anomalism in soil geochemical sampling and to extend into the country rocks a sufficient distance to cover potential feeder dykes, and structurally remobilised mineralisation. Anomaly A was a chargeable anomaly defined in this survey.
Geological observation from hole 23HXRC004 has noted fine grain disseminated sulphides (<1%) from 44m to EOH within mafic intrusive and assays are currently pending. Hole 26HXRC003 which targeted Anomaly B has been interpreted to be likely associated with the graphite mineralisation. Geological observation from the drilling identified interbedded graphite from 208m to 231m, which is likely producing the identified IP response.
EM Anomaly 22: Anomaly 22 lies within the Melon Patch North prospect, the geological mapping undertaken by HXG now has this anomaly situated within a remnant of the potential Panton Sill type intrusive, bound to the north by Tickalara Metamorphics and to the east by the Sally Down Suite (see HXG ASX Announcement 28 June 2021). Hexagon has secured funding through the Western Australian Government's Exploration Incentive Scheme to co-fund drilling to test the target. Hole 22HXRC003 has identified graphite mineralisation from 75m to 88m which coincides and is likely producing the interpreted EM response.
Next Steps: Downhole EM surveys are planned to be completed at Anomaly 9 and 22 in the coming weeks, subject to availability and the onset of the wet season, to confirm the current EM interpretation. Regrettably plans to test the Panton Peridotite Target Area, Panton Gabbro Target Area and the Wild Dog Creek (WDC) Gabbro 1 Target Area have had to be postponed due to increasing adverse weather conditions in the Kimberley. All approvals are in place, and drilling will recommence at the conclusion of the current wet season.
Assays are pending for all drilling with results expected in First Quarter 2023. The 1000 UFF soil samples completed over the Togo & Mini M prospect have been delivered to the lab with assay results expected in early 2023, with follow up work expected in 2023.
