Blackstone Minerals intersects 9.15-metre-wide zone of nickel sulphides at Ban Chang

Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX) has intersected massive sulphide in three maiden drill holes at Ban Chang, part of its Ta Khoa Nickel-PGE Project in Vietnam, including a 9.15-metre-wide zone of sulphide vein mineralisation The 9.15-metre intersection in drill hole BC20-03 from 57.05 metres included 4.6 metres of massive sulphide (MSV) and semi-massive sulphide veins (SMSV). The maiden three holes all intersected massive sulphide nickel over a 1-kilometre strike within a 1.2-kilometre-long massive sulphide target, defined by high-priority electromagnetic (EM) plates generated by the company’s in-house geophysics crew with the support of Core Geophysics. Possible feed source Blackstone managing director Scott Williamson said: “We’re pleased to announce a significant intersection of a 9.15 metres wide zone of nickel sulphide vein mineralisation at Ban Chang which could have the scale and geometry to be mined as a bulk underground mining scenario. “We’ll continue to explore Ban Chang’s potential to become a supplementary high-grade feed source to the main Ban Phuc disseminated sulphide ore body with further holes planned for drilling in this area.” This broader intersection included: 1-metre disseminated sulphide (DSS) and sulphide veinlets from 57.05 metres; 0.35 metres sulphide veinlets from 58.05 metres; 0.30 metres MSV from 58.4 metres; 2.30 metres DSS, 10-12% sulphides from 58.7 metres; 2.35 metres SMSV from 61 metres; 1.85 metres MSV from 63.35 metres; 0.40 metres sulphide veinlets from 65.2 metres; 0.10 metre MSV from 65.6 metres; and   0.50 metre DSS and sulphide veinlets from 65.7 metres. The drill holes were drilled more than 1 kilometre apart and along strike. Ban Chang Cross Section showing maiden drill hole. Blackstone’s drilling continues to intersect massive sulphide within metres of the modelled EM plates, confirming EM’s potential to unlock the world-class magmatic nickel sulphide geology throughout the Ta Khoa district. Potential for early restart Blackstone aims to investigate the potential to restart the existing Ban Phuc concentrator through focused exploration on both MSV and DSS deposits.   The project has significant infrastructure advantages that include the existing 450,000 tonnes per annum processing facility, abundant low-cost hydroelectric power, a skilled low-cost labour force, and is located in a country that has become an Asian hub for electronics and battery manufacturing with a growing demand for nickel sulphate for lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Ongoing exploration Drilling is continuing with the company’s second drill rig to follow the geophysics crew throughout the Ta Khoa district, testing high-priority EM targets generated from 25 MSV prospects including King Snake, Ban Khoa, Ban Chang, and Ban Khang. Drilling is also continuing at the King Cobra Discovery zone (KCZ) at depth. Ban Chang MSV target showing over 1.2 kilometres of EM plates. Maiden resource on track The company’s scoping study on downstream processing to produce nickel sulphate for the lithium-ion battery industry and a Ban Phuc maiden resource are on track for completion in quarter three of 2020. This study will provide details for joint venture partners to formalise the next stage of investment. Metallurgical testing has started on the Ban Phuc DSS deposit with an aim to develop a flow sheet for a product suitable for the lithium-ion battery industry. In addition, Blackstone will investigate the potential to develop downstream processing infrastructure in Vietnam to produce a downstream nickel and cobalt product to supply Asia’s growing lithium-ion battery industry. This downstream processing potential supported by $6.8 million investment from EcoPro Co Limited, the world’s second-largest nickel-rich cathode materials manufacturer, which was completed in April 2020.