Nimy drills down in bid to outline maiden gallium resource in WA

A key drill program looking to outline a strategic deposit of semiconductor metal gallium right here in WA has begun as Nimy begins its Phase 2 program at Block 3.

Nimy Resources is getting ready to drill hard at its Block 3 gallium discovery. Pic: Getty Images

• Nimy Resources has kickstarted a three-week drill drive as it looks to deliver a maiden resource for its Block 3 gallium project

• Potential to outline world class deposit of the semiconductor super metal

• Gallium supply is dominated by China, with Nimy already seeing external interest in future product

 

Special Report: Hot on the heels of what could be a game-changing discovery of semi-conductor super metal gallium, resource drilling has begun at Nimy Resources’ Mons project.

The junior explorer’s discovery of high-grade gallium in a virtually unexplored greenstone belt north of WA’s Wheatbelt could lead to the extraction of a new and strategically valuable source of the critical mineral.

An exploration target reported over the 3km by 1.5km Block 3 prospect by Nimy Resources (ASX:NIM) on January 28 clocked in at 9.6-14.3Mt at 39-78ppm gallium.

The Phase 2 drill campaign is set to take three weeks, with assays due as soon as feasible.

The aim of the program is to extend known high-grade mineralisation along strike and down dip, with the exploration target only encompassing the eastern segment of the Block 3 prospect.

Nimy will drill test the new Block 3 Central target during the program, which will support the development of a maiden JORC resource.

“The commencement of this round of drilling at the Block 3 Gallium discovery is significant as we move forward in defining a world class JORC compliant high grade gallium deposit,” Nimy managing director Luke Hampson said.

“Concurrently, Curtin University are working on metallurgical testing following CSIRO identification of high grade 400-800 g/t gallium in chlorite.

“These exploration milestones move Nimy closer to meeting the need of gallium customers who have made initial enquiries as to our progress.”

Drilling has begun at Nimy’s Block 3 gallium prospect. Pic: Nimy

Strategic gallium project

Most gallium is produced by China as a byproduct of alumina and zinc refining, with as much as 98% of the supply chain controlled by the Middle Kingdom, a danger hammered home when it restricted direct exports to the US last year.

Nimy’s Block 3 has been shown by initial mineralogical assessments by the CSIRO to contain high grades of 400-800g/t in samples of gallium in chlorite.

Met testwork with Curtin University and its WA School of Mines lab is another critical step, with Nimy already working with M2i Global, a US-based defence and tech solutions company to support a US Department of Defense procurement contract for its gallium.

Gallium is used in semiconductors, EV and wind magnets, solar panels, LEDs, LCDs, blu-rays, with its rise in the world of computer chip wafers resulting from its status as a superior replacement for silicon.

The metal is listed as a critical mineral across Australia, the EU, the UK, the US, India, Japan, and South Korea.

A Phase 3 drill program is expected to follow the Phase 2 program based on the assay results.

Drilling will encompass testing of the new Block 3 Central target. Pic: Nimy

This article was developed in collaboration with Nimy Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Nimy drills down in bid to outline maiden gallium resource in WA