Nelson Resources (ASX:NES) defines Gold Point Vein targets through Nevada CSAMT survey
Nelson Resources has completed a Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT) geophysical survey at its Gold Point Project in Nevada, with the program defining resistive and conductive features interpreted to correspond with the Orleans and Great Western vein systems.
The survey results are being integrated with underground mapping, surface sampling, LiDAR survey data, recent drilling and historical mine information as the company refines targets within the Gold Point Project.
Highlights
The CSAMT survey delineated resistive and conductive features interpreted to correspond with the Orleans and Great Western vein systems at the Gold Point Project in Nevada.
Multiple geophysical anomalies were identified adjacent to and along strike of known historic mine workings, indicating potential extensions of the Great Western and Orleans vein systems.
Target zones under cover and along strike of high-grade Au-Ag results from the Orleans, Great Western and Grand Central Mines included 32.2g/t Au and 28.4g/t Ag, 18.6g/t Au and 61.5g/t Ag, 7.34g/t Au and 574g/t Ag, and 5.61g/t Au and 84g/t Ag.
The survey identified northeast-dipping geophysical features consistent with the mapped orientations of Au-rich veins mined at the historic Orleans and Great Western Mines, which have reportedly produced at least 75,000oz Au at an average grade of 20-30g/t Au with significant silver production.
The CSAMT survey was designed to improve Nelson’s understanding of the subsurface architecture of the high-grade gold-silver vein system at Gold Point, including the Orleans, Great Western and Grand Central mine areas.
The survey identified resistive and conductive features that correspond with known vein trends, historic workings and interpreted structural extensions.
The identified geophysical anomalies support Nelson’s near-mine exploration strategy at Gold Point, where the company is using underground rehabilitation, mapping, sampling, LiDAR and drilling to build a mine-to-camp-scale 3D model to prioritise follow-up targets.
The CSAMT data is currently being integrated into Nelson’s mine-to-camp-scale 3D structural and lithogeochemical model and will be used to refine priority targets, particularly within the Orleans, Great Western and Grand Central Mines.
Nelson Non-Executive Chairman Gernot Abl said the CSAMT survey provided further technical information for the company’s Gold Point exploration strategy.
“The CSAMT results provide another important layer of technical support for Nelson’s Gold Point exploration strategy. The survey has helped confirm the orientation and continuity of the major structures that host the Orleans and Great Western vein systems, while also highlighting additional targets outside the immediate historic workings.”
The survey was completed by Zonge International, Inc. and comprised four survey lines covering 3.57 line-kilometres.
Three lines were oriented northeast-southwest, approximately perpendicular to the known northwest-southeast vein system, to test the down-dip and along-strike potential of the Orleans, Great Western and Grand Central vein systems, while a fourth line was oriented northwest-southeast to test interpreted cross-cutting faults that may influence the vein system.
Survey interpretation identified several outcomes, including confirmation of known structural orientation, correlation of a northeast-dipping resistive feature with the Orleans vein within historical mine workings, and a resistive core feature interpreted to correspond with the Great Western vein system and its potential extension.
The survey also outlined parallel northeast-dipping conductive and resistive horizons over a central resistive feature.
The Gold Point Project is located within the south-central portion of the Walker Lane, a major northwest-trending zone of structural disruptions with reported production of more than 40Moz Au across a range of deposit styles.
The project includes historically mined high-grade Au-Ag veins, more than 5km of underground workings across five historical mines, and an exploration strategy combining underground mapping, sampling, LiDAR, geophysics and drill targeting with district-scale surface exploration.
Nelson’s near-term activities include integrating CSAMT results with underground mapping, LiDAR survey data, sampling and drilling information, refining drill targets within the Orleans vein system where drilling is currently ongoing, assessing Great Western vein extensions, reviewing the Line 3 buried conductive target and continuing development of the Gold Point 3D model.
The company’s work program is focused on improving geological and structural interpretation across the known mineralised zones, testing extensions to historically mined high-grade Au-Ag veins and advancing targeting across the broader Gold Point Project.