Axiom Mining has received the final results from its Phase 1 drilling program at the San Jorge tenement of its Isabel Nickel Project in the Solomon Islands. Axiom has targeted an area within the tenement that presents optimal logistical characteristics of an initial mining DSO operation.
Phase 1 of the program over a limited portion of the tenement has been successfully concluded with the 50 by 50 metre drill pattern complete across the initial area of focus. The drill program included selected 25 metre infill holes as well as sterilisation holes on the edge of the known mineralised zone to assist in determining initial mining boundaries to facilitate efficient stockpiling and mining.
Drilling has continued to intersect encouraging grades of nickel mineralisation and key highlights include 23.2 metres from 0.9 metres @ 1.36% nickel, including 10.6 metres from 7.5 metres @ 1.80%; 21 metres from 3 metres @ 1.14%, including 2.6 metres from 9 metres @ 1.73%; and 22 metres from 1 metre @ 1.07%, including 5 metres from 16 metres @ 1.40%.
With the completion of Phase 1 of the program, Axiom is currently focused on government approval for its mining lease application. Further to this the company is now assessing the additional areas defined by historical exploration over other areas of the tenement. This includes significant potential for saprolite mineralisation that requires modern testing and this will likely occur in parallel to mining operations.
Phase 2 of the exploration drilling program is planned to commence in tandem with start-up mining activities upon grant of a mining lease.
Axiom CEO Ryan Mount said, “These encouraging drill results provide us the confidence for the next stage of planning and development of San Jorge.”
Axiom Mining