Alvo Minerals Limited (ASX: ALV) has commenced drill testing the high-priority greenfields Pelicano prospect, a new Volcanic hosted Massive Sulphide (VMS) prospect within the Palma Project located in central Brazil.
The company has commenced a series of diamond holes to test this new target which is located in proximity to the high-grade C3 deposit and presents similar exploration characteristics.
“We are incredibly excited to test this major anomaly, having first defined the Pelicano prospect in Q3 CY22 after completing a FLEM survey that showed an unexpected high tenor anomaly,” Managing Director, Rob Smakman, said.
“After inversion of the FLEM, additional lines were completed and we quickly built an understanding of the extensive size of the conductor at Pelicano. At over 1.2km in strike length, it’s the biggest anomaly we have seen to date at Palma. What makes Pelicano especially interesting is that the conductor wasn’t identified through the historic aerial EM survey (VTEM) completed in 2008 due to the cover.
“We spent time building on our interpretation, including completing IP surveys, mapping and geochemistry. We are now at a point where we have multiple pieces of geological evidence that all support drill testing this highly compelling and major target. We are excited to be undertaking our first hole at this target as drilling will be the ultimate test of the conductor.”
Diamond Drilling at Pelicano
Diamond drilling is underway on hole PDP-074 at the Pelicano Prospect, which is a new prospect within the Palma VMS project. Drilling will target the anomalies generated by Alvo’s Brazilian exploration team which have combined to form a compelling co-incident drill target.
Pelicano was identified through a review of historical geochemical sampling results where a co-incident, first order anomaly of Zn, Cu and Pb was noted over ~600m in strike length. Due to the presence of this discrete soil anomaly and its proximity to the high-grade C3 deposit, an additional FLEM survey loop was completed.
The FLEM survey conducted by Alvo’s geophysical team identified the Pelicano anomaly which, when processed, shows a major electromagnetic conductor with a conductive thickness of ~200 siemens, a strike length of 1.2km (NNE dips moderately to the east), depth extent of up to 700m and which starts from ~250m below surface.
Electromagnetic conductors are an indication of rocks that have a relatively higher conductance than the surrounding rocks, at levels that are either massive/semi-massive conductive sulphide species or a conducting lithological unit. The Company has yet to encounter significant conductive lithological units in its exploration around Palma, however several drillholes have intercepted unmineralized semi-massive sulphides.
Several IP lines (arranged in pole-dipole) have been surveyed across the Pelicano prospect and all the lines have demonstrated a strong chargeability anomaly above the FLEM conductor- on a similar strike orientation.
This chargeability anomaly is closely associated with low resistivity, indicating the anomaly could be associated with disseminated sulphides.
Dependant on initial results, Alvo plans to complete Downhole Electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys on initial diamond holes to build on the overall interpretation of the Pelicano prospect.
Next Steps and Upcoming News flow
• Extensional diamond drilling at C3 prospect targeting significant extensions along strike and at depth to high-grade VMS mineralization – Ongoing
• Diamond drilling at new targets within the C3 cluster, including Ema and Pelicano – Ongoing
• Auger Drilling using Alvo’s new truck mounted mechanical Auger – Underway
• DHEM surveys at C3 and C1, on diamond holes completed during phase 1 and phase 2 drill programmes – Ongoing
• FLEM surveys on regional targets across Palma – Ongoing
• Geochemical sampling across known exploration prospects – Ongoing
• Metallurgical test work at C3 – Ongoing
• Metallurgical test work at C1 – Proposed to commence in Q1 2023
• Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys at C3, C1 and regional targets – Ongoing
For further information please visit: https://alvo.com.au/
