Discovery of the Moran massive nickel sulphide deposit using down-hole transient electromagnetic surveying

Abstract

The Moran nickel orebody was discovered in 2008 when underground drill-hole LSU-152 intersected a 12.3 m thick interval of mineralisation with an average grade of 6.0% Ni. The discovery drill-hole had been designed to test a strong conductor detected by transient electromagnetic surveys read in drill-holes that had passed above and below Moran. Moran is located approximately 1.1 km south of the Long orebody. Both orebodies are interpreted to be hosted within the same komatiite lava channel. The exploration program was premised on the observation that fertile komatiite lava channels are often mineralised over significant distances. Diamond drill-holes were drilled from underground mine workings in order to test the target lava channel to the south of Long over 1.7 km of strike. Recognition of potential ore-hosting environments, integrated with conductor models developed from DHTEM data, were keys to success.