Andover Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project (Azure 60% / Creasy Group 40%)
This 70km2 project covers most of the Andover Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusive Complex and exploration has demonstrated that it hosts significant nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) sulphide mineralisation.
Being a layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion, Andover has similar geological characteristics as the Fraser Range Province (host to the Nova-Bollinger Ni-Cu-Co mine and Legend Mining’s Mawson Ni-Cu-Co project) and the Julimar Intrusive Complex (host to Chalice Mining’s Gonneville Pd-Pt-Ni-Cu-Co project).
Andover is located 35km southeast of Karratha and immediately south of the town of Roebourne with excellent local infrastructure such as airports, port access, railway, grid power, sealed highways, and support services readily available.
The project is situated in a well-mineralised district, with the Carlow Castle gold-copper-cobalt deposit 3km to the west, the now-closed Radio Hill nickel-copper mine and plant 28km to the southwest, and the Sherlock Bay nickel deposit 30km to the east.
Drilling by the Creasy Group at Andover in 2018 intersected indications of nickel and copper sulphide mineralisation at shallow depths at two separate prospects.
Azure’s exploration at Andover commenced in August 2020, and has comprised:
- Airborne magnetic and electromagnetic (VTEM) surveys;
- Surface fixed-loop electromagnetic (FLTEM) surveys;
- Diamond core drilling; and
- Downhole electromagnetic (DHTEM) surveying in the drill holes.
Geophysical surveying by surface fixed loop (FLTEM) and downhole (DHTEM) electromagnetic surveys has identified numerous high-quality electromagnetic conductors and, as the Andover project area does not appear to host materials that can generate false EM positives, these conductors potentially represent bedrock-hosted nickel and copper sulphide bodies.
Azure’s diamond drilling program initially targeted EM conductors in two separate locations, designated as the VC-07 and VC-23 prospects, and significant Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mineralisation has been intersected in both. Furthermore, at least an additional 10 similar targets have been identified elsewhere on the property that warrant drill testing.
The VC-07 target zone represents a structural corridor that extends for approximately 1,000m east-west with mineralised shoots extending from surface to depths of more than 500m below surface. Most drill holes into VC-07 have intersected significant intervals of nickel and copper sulphide mineralisation coincident with the modelled locations of the EM conductors.
Mineralisation comprises massive, semi-massive, matrix, blebby and disseminated pentlandite (nickel sulphide), chalcopyrite (copper sulphide) and pyrrhotite (iron sulphide) hosted in gabbro and similar mafic rocks.
Some of the better mineralised intersections from the early drill holes include:
Andover Ni-Cu-Co Project showing VC-07 and VC-23 prospects and untested EM targets
Aerial image of Andover VC-07 structural corridor showing drill hole locations and section lines
Long section A-AA showing VC-07 East grade-thickness heat map (Ni% x width(m)) with
drilling and EM conductor plates at VC-07 West
Cross Section B-BB showing mineralised intersections in ANDD0041 and DHTEM
conductor plates at VC-07 West