Asian Battery Metals identifies priority drilling areas at Oval ahead of Phase 3 exploration
Asian Battery Metals PLC is preparing to launch an ambitious third-phase exploration program at the Oval Copper-Nickel Project in southwest Mongolia, marking a significant milestone in its pursuit of mineral resources. Set to commence next month, this phase of exploration aims to deepen the understanding of potential copper and nickel deposits in the region through advanced drilling techniques and comprehensive geophysical evaluations.
### Expansion of Exploration Efforts
The upcoming Phase 3 exploration will encompass up to 1,500 meters of diamond drilling, supplemented by downhole electromagnetic surveys (DHEM) and broader geophysical studies scheduled from April to June 2025. This systematic approach will focus on previously untested and re-evaluated DHEM conductive plates stemming from the earlier Phase 2 analysis.
Drilling efforts will particularly target a high-gravity inversion anomaly, reaching depths of up to 550 meters at the southern end of the Oval gabbroic intrusion. The exploration will be bolstered by six potential drilling sites identified through meticulous examination of the geological landscape.
### Leadership Insights
Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren, the managing director of Asian Battery Metals PLC, expressed optimism about the Phase 3 program, stating, “This initiative represents a crucial step in assessing the extent of magmatic copper and nickel sulfide mineralization within our tenement.” The program’s objectives include expanding the understanding of high-grade zones within the Oval intrusion, probing deeper into the gabbroic structure based on geophysical insights, and exploring additional anomalies across the broader exploration region.
### Promising Geological Findings
From 2022 to 2024, extensive regional geophysical surveys have uncovered highly promising areas for further drilling within the Yambat tenement zone. These locations display a strong correlation between elevated concentrations of copper, nickel, and platinum group elements (PGEs) and significant magnetic and gravity anomalies associated with low resistivity fields. The integration of these geophysical insights with soil sample data, analyzed by ABM geologists, has allowed for the refinement of existing 3D geophysical models.
The priority DHEM conductive plates earmarked for Phase 3 exploration include those that could potentially extend the known high-grade mineralization both within the Oval gabbroic intrusion and in surrounding geological contexts.
### Targeting Depth Extensions
A notable gravity anomaly recently identified in a revised gravity model will be tested during the upcoming drilling phase. Although the drill hole OVD010, designed in the 2024 Phase 1 program, did not intersect significant mineralization or gabbroic intrusives, a revised model—encompassing topographic and existing drill hole data—suggests that the core of the gravity anomaly remains unexamined. The technical team is currently developing an optimal drilling strategy, combining the exploration of this anomaly with the drilling of additional plates.
### Uncharted Exploration Regions
The geophysical signatures within the regional geological context indicate potential spatial associations with the Oval intrusive. However, many of these areas are obscured by sedimentary cover and remain unexplored by conventional drilling methods. From the approximately 30 areas initially identified by geophysical surveys, six have been prioritized for further investigation in Phase 3 due to their robust geophysical signals, characterized by a combination of high magnetic, gravity responses, and low resistivity metrics.
Additionally, two highly promising soil anomalies, recognized through previous sample analyses conducted by ABM geologists, remain to be understood in their geological context, with ongoing investigations aimed at elucidating their underlying structures.
The systematic approach that Asian Battery Metals PLC is adopting in its exploration endeavors underscores the potential not only for discovering valuable resources but also for contributing to the understanding of the area’s geological framework. As the third-phase exploration unfolds, it may pave the way for deeper insights and optimally informed future operations in the rich mineral landscape of southwest Mongolia.
