Historical drilling geochemistry confirms exploration strategy for nickel, base metals, gold and platinum group minerals at the Coates Mafic Intrusive Complex near Wundowie, Western Australia.
- Australian Vanadium Ltd (ASX: AVL) holds ground over the Coates Mafic Intrusive Complex (Coates)
- Coates is located approximately 29km southeast of the recent nickel-copper-platinum group elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) discovery at the Julimar Project by Chalice Gold Mines (ASX: CHN)
- Detailed historical drilling data from 1970s has been captured by the Company
- Drilling defined a magnetite gabbro with vanadium-titanium mineralisation within a larger layered gabbro intrusion considered prospective for PGE-Ni-Cu mineralisation
- Core from two historical Coates diamond drillholes acquired for analysis
- New micro XRF scans of historical core hole CRD019 indicate presence of disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite within discrete pyroxenite phase of magnetite gabbro
- Mafic intrusions, including Coates, within the Jimperding Metamorphic Belt were recognised as prospective for PGE-Ni-Cu in an early 1980s geological journal article[1]
- Exploration planning underway for extensive geochemical and geophysical programs
- AVL is collaborating with Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) and Mercator Metals Pty Ltd which hold adjacent tenements, together holding a combined area of 59km2, covering the entire current interpreted Coates Mafic Intrusive complex
[1] Harrison PH; 1984; “The Mineral Potential of Layered Igneous Complexes within the Western Gneiss Terrain”; published in Professional papers for 1984 of the Geological Survey of Western Australia, 19”; Government Printing Office; Perth; p. 37 – 54
Historical Data at Coates Project Supports PGE Exploration
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