Queensland-focused exploration and project development company Ark Mines Ltd has completed a drone magnetic survey undertaken at its Gunnawarra Nickel-Cobalt Project, confirming a strong correlation between the proven nickel-cobalt laterite mineralisation and the magnetic highs identified through the survey.
Surrounding the Bell Creek resource, a component of the Sconi project owned by Australian Mines Ltd, Gunnawarra has significant potential as a battery mineral exploration and development project in a proven tier 1 jurisdiction for similar projects.
Ark Mines executive director Ben Emery said the UAV magnetic survey confirmed the nickel and cobalt laterite mineralisation present across Gunnawarra correlates with the magnetic highs identified from the survey.
Emery continued: “This is tremendously encouraging and confirms to us that Gunnawarra is shaping up to be a very exciting and potentially large battery minerals play.
“We are now defining priority drill targets and we anticipate being on the ground later this month with drill likely to commence in April or May, weather depending.
“With Gunnawarra as well as our Mt Jesse project, Ark has exposure to three high demand battery mineral commodities that are critical for the growth and development of the electric vehicle sector – nickel, cobalt, and copper.
“Our focus now is to determine the full extent of these mineralised systems with more comprehensive exploration so we can capitalise on the huge potential of the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors.”
Ultramag Geophysics was engaged to undertake a high spatial resolution drone magnetic survey across Gunnawarra’s 36-square-kilometre tenure.
With definitive outlines of the nickel-cobalt mineralisation surface and under surface locations confirmed, Ultramag has recommended several drill target areas.
In addition, serpentinites and ultra-mafic basement rocks have given a strong signature which provides Ark with further exploration opportunities.
The advancing exploration program at Gunnawarra is part of Ark’s plan to aggressively ramp up exploration activity across its tenements, which now includes finalising drill targets at the company’s Mt Jesse Copper-Iron project.
