Table of Contents Show
Asian Battery Metals to resume drilling at high-priority copper-nickel targets
Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) is gearing up to resume drilling operations at its Oval copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) discovery in southern Mongolia, after receiving promising data from its electromagnetic (EM) survey. This comes as the company reports that it has completed 50% of its SAMSON fixed-loop EM (FLEM) program, revealing 29 conductive plates across four target zones, including six Priority-1 plates that exhibit strong conductivity in favourable geological conditions.
Overview of Upcoming Drilling Initiatives
Asian Battery Metals is set to delve deeper into its targets, particularly at sites MS1, MS2, and Quartz Hill, with additional EM surveys and drilling scheduled for August. Managing Director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren expressed optimism about the survey’s findings, highlighting that the results have aligned well with their geophysical and geological data. "The EM survey has delivered what we hoped for—multiple shallow, coherent conductors that coincide with our existing datasets. These represent some of our most compelling targets to date, and we’re excited to test them with drilling over the coming weeks," he stated.
Results from the SAMSON EM Survey
The SAMSON FLEM survey utilized various transmitter loop configurations—both 400m x 400m and 1,000m x 600m—across critical areas such as Oval, Quartz Hill, MS1, and MS2. The modelling revealed 29 conductive plates, many of which exhibit anomalies supported by structural and magnetic datasets.
Key Findings:
- Overall Coverage: Twelve 400m x 400m loops surveyed an area of 2.14 square kilometres, complemented by two larger 1,000m x 600m loops over an area of 1.2 square kilometres.
- Anomaly Validation: While some anomalies faced dismissal due to potential super-paramagnetism or signal interference, the company plans follow-up surveys with refined configurations to clarify these issues.
- Priority Targets: Among the identified conductive plates, six have been designated as Priority-1, situated between 38 and 101 metres below the surface and exhibiting conductivities within the range of 5,000 to 60,000 Siemens.
Expanding Horizons: Southern and Western Zones
In addition to the primary zones, the South Area has generated interest due to geophysical data indicating a northwest-southeast trending corridor, which coincides with elevated magnetic responses. Five conductive plates exist here, with two Priority-1 targets showing high conductance values at depths of 53 to 55 metres, possibly indicating additional mineralization similar to the Oval body.
The West Area has also shown promise, with three FLEM plates identified along a low-resistivity zone flagged in previous gradient array IP surveys. These plates lie between 64 and 113 metres deep, aligning with structurally controlled magnetic highs.
Forward-Looking Initiatives: Drilling and Testing
Asian Battery Metals is on track to restart drilling and undertake downhole electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys in August. The continuation of FLEM and moving-loop EM (MLEM) surveys with revised configurations will persist through mid-August. The company is actively processing detailed ground magnetics data from MS2, alongside anticipating initial metallurgical test results from the Oval discovery.
The combined analysis of geological, magnetic, and EM datasets is expected to refine high-confidence targets, facilitating the advancement of the Oval discovery and the broader Yambat project in Mongolia.
Conclusion
As Asian Battery Metals delineates its drilling program in southern Mongolia, the integration of robust EM survey results with geological data positions the company to potentially unlock significant copper-nickel resources. With promising targets identified and a strategic plan in place, the upcoming months could prove pivotal for the company’s exploration efforts and overall growth trajectory in the competitive mining sector.
