Improved Technology Allows a Look into Deeper Layers
At New Craigmont, Nicola Mining (TSX.V: NIM, FSE: HLI, WKN: A14T7S) is launching a new exploration program these days. It initially involves an extensive 3D induced polarization survey. This marks a new phase in the exploration of the project, which is located about eleven kilometers from Merritt in the province of British Columbia.
The New Craigmont project is particularly interesting because Canada’s largest open-pit copper mine, Teck Resources’ Highland Valley Copper project, is one of its immediate neighbors. New Craigmont represents a high-grade copper property that extends over an area of more than 10,800 hectares at the southern end of the Guichon Batholith. It is 100 percent owned by Nicola Mining.
Dias Geophysical from Saskatoon has been commissioned to conduct the polarization survey. The company has already begun work. Initially, the investigations aim to better define the two main exploration areas, the MARB-CAS and WP-MARB 72 zones. Once the data from the approximately 6.5 square kilometer survey is available and analyzed, Nicola Mining will begin to sink its diamond drilling program for this year.
Drilling Results and Polarization Surveys Confirm Each Other
The starting position for further exploration success is good, as historical IP surveys have provided valuable insights for copper projects in British Columbia. This also applies to New Craigmont and its surroundings. For example, a previous IP survey in the Embayment Zone showed a high correlation between chargeability and mineralization.
In particular, a robust chargeability anomaly adjacent to the Embayment Zone and identified at depth closely corresponds to the high-grade copper mineralization in drill holes DDH-THU-002, NC-2018-01, and NC-2018-03. This finding thus represents a promising opportunity to potentially expand the mineralization in the western parts of the property.
Improved Technology Allows a Look into Deeper Layers
In the western part of the New Craigmont project, near the Lornex Fault, a significant resistivity anomaly was also detected during the ZTEM survey in 2022. This anomaly also adjoins a newly discovered porphyry-style copper mineralization and thus represents a promising porphyry exploration target. The 3D IP survey that has now begun will, of course, also cover this anomaly and help in delineating further drilling targets.
Technically, the new program represents a major advancement, as modern 3D arrays are being used. They have a large transmitter generator that can penetrate depths of up to 700 meters. Compared to previous surveys, this allows for much deeper layers to be captured, and the 3D IP survey promises to refine drilling targets across the entire property.
