OUTSTANDING results have been received from a resource definition drilling program at Axiom Mining’s Isabel Nickel Project in the Solomon Islands. Nickel grades of up to 2.14% have been returned from drilling on the San Jorge tenement.

Preparations for drilling on the San Jorge tenement at Axiom Mining’s Isabel Nickel Project.

The Isabel project is considered one of the largest nickel-laterite deposits in the Pacific region. Drilling is focused on San Jorge, which makes up 50% of the project.

Highlights from results received to date are 13 metres from 2 metres @ 1.6% nickel, including 7 metres from 8 metres @ 2.14%; 14 metres from 2 metres @ 1.47%, including 7 metres from 9 metres @ 1.91%; 10.3 metres from 4 metres @ 1.55%, including 5.4 metres from 6.6 metres @ 2.0%; and 13.7 metres from 3 metres @ 1.37%, including 7.9 metres from 8.2 metres @ 1.56%.

Axiom has established an exploration camp at San Jorge Island. Skid-mounted lightweight drill rigs were set in place and drilling commenced in November. The initial program comprises 2500 metres over 200 holes with the objective of validating historical drilling by previous explorers and identifying higher grade saprolite material at depths.

Results to date provide confidence in being able to define a future mineral resource and progress the tenement towards mining approval and production in 2017.

Axiom CEO Ryan Mount said, “Drilling is progressing well. It is pleasing to see thick, high grade saprolite being intercepted outside of historically identified mineralised areas. This provides good indication that further drill testing has the potential to discover additional saprolite material that can be included in our upcoming resource estimate – further expanding the mining potential of this deposit”

“These excellent results give us a high level of confidence in our ability to supply a premium product for potential customers.”

Axiom has targeted an initial area with in the San Jorge tenement that presents optimal logistical characteristics of a mining DSO operation.

The remainder of the Isabel project comprises the Kolosori deposit. Axiom is awaiting a decision from the Solomon Islands Government regarding the re-application for the prospecting licence over this deposit.

Axiom recently appointed David Kinsman as chief financial officer and company secretary. He has a track record of establishing effective finance teams and as a senior finance executive in multinational organisations.