Pitt welcomes Chalice's major find at Julimar

11th November 2021 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Federal Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt has applauded work done by Geoscience Australia in discovering the largest nickel sulphide discovery in Australia in over two decades.

ASX-listed Chalice Mining this week announced a maiden indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate of 10-million ounces palladium/platinum/gold, 530 000 t of nickel, 330 000 t of copper, and 53 000 t of cobalt at its Gonneville deposit, which makes up part of its larger Julimar project, in Western Australia.

“This tier-1 discovery, with 10-million ounces of palladium, platinum and gold, will create hundreds of jobs and billions in economic benefits for the nation,” Pitt said.

“It will ensure Australia remains a globally attractive and competitive investment destination for resources projects, and support communities across the nation through royalties generated.”

Chalice told shareholders that the discovery was a major milestone for the company, coming just 18 months after its first hole discovery at Julimar.

“Since then, we have completed more than 175 000 m of diamond and reverse circulation drilling and now defined a genuine tier-1-scale deposit of critical minerals, with exceptional growth potential,” said Chalice MD and CEO Alex Dorsch.

“The resource confirms that Gonneville is the largest nickel sulphide discovery globally in over two decades, and the largest platinum group element  (PGE) discovery in Australia’s history, a remarkable achievement considering that this is the first discovery in what we consider to be an entirely new district, Julimar, within a new nickel/copper/PGE province, the West Yilgarn.

“Given its sheer scale, the attractive suite of six payable metals it contains and its premier location close to world-class infrastructure and services in Perth, Chalice clearly has the potential to become a leading global player in the green metals space.”

Pitt said Chalice acknowledged the discovery was supported by Geoscience Australia’s award-winning Mineral Potential Mapper.

“The Mineral Potential Mapper project drew on previously unseen patterns in Australian geology to predict where new deposits of nickel, copper and platinum group sulphides could be uncovered, including in areas where no deposits were previously thought to exist,” Pitt said.

“Chalice has stated publicly this work by Geoscience Australia was the catalyst for the company to acquire prospective ground holdings north-east of Perth.

“Investing in precompetitive data acquisition is a long-term game, but this case study shows how it can pay off.

“This announcement by Chalice clearly shows how pre-competitive data from Geoscience Australia can lead to discovery by industry. 

“Since the nickel, copper and platinum group sulphides potential map of Australia was released, more than 27 000 km2 of tenement has been taken up in the Julimar area, with nearly A$38-million spent on exploration this year alone. 

“The Australian government is doing the groundwork for even more discoveries through the A$225-million Exploring for the Future program. This program is delivering a detailed picture of potential mineral, energy and groundwater resources across the continent, to unlock future prosperity for all Australians,” Pitt said.

The current Gonneville resource estimate covers only 7% of the Julimar intrusive Complex, with the deposit remaining open along strike to the north. Chalice will be undertaking additional exploration work in the region, and is progressing a scoping study for Gonneville, with the aim of completing it in the second quarter of next year.