Vancouver — Initial resource estimates for Brilliant Mining’s (BMC-V) recently discovered Deacon deposit significantly boosts the overall nickel inventory on its Lanfranchi mine joint venture in Western Australia.
Deacon contains indicated resources of 1.3 million tonnes grading 2.83% nickel and 0.26% copper using a 1% nickel cutoff grade. The estimate shows 37,540 tonnes (82.8 million lbs.) of contained nickel. An additional 101,000 tonnes of inferred resource was also tabled averaging 4.59% nickel, using the same cutoff, for about 4,650 contained tonnes (10.2 million lbs.) of the metal.
The new estimate increases the overall indicated resource of the Lanfranchi project by 70% and is almost double the resource at the adjacent Helmut South deposit (729,000 tonnes of 2.9% nickel) currently being mined. The Deacon zone remains open both up- and down-plunge.
The company plans infill drilling at Deacon to test the continuity of several mineralized zones within the deposit. Brilliant hopes to upgrade inferred blocks to the indicated category with the potential to also boost the average resource grade above 3% nickel. Additional drilling will also test for extensions to the deposit.
“With the current record-breaking nickel prices, the accelerated incorporation of the Deacon resource into the active mine plan is a high priority for the Lanfranchi JV,” said Brilliant Mining CEO John Williamson in a release.
A detailed mine plan, ore reserve estimates and economic analysis is anticipated by mid-year with development potentially beginning by the third quarter, assuming a positive decision.
Deacon is a zone of disseminated and matrix-style mineralization with significant high-grade massive sulphides. Mineralization occurs within a well-defined “channel” structure, situated just west of Helmut South, which appears to be oriented sub-parallel to the Helmut South orebody. Drilling has so far outlined nickel sulphide mineralization over a strike length of 385 metres.
Brilliant acquired its 25% interest in the Lanfranchi mining operations in early 2006 with a takeover of private Australian company Donegal Resources, which held a one-quarter interest in the JV. Project partner Sally Malay Mining (SLLYF-O, SMY-A) holds the remaining 75% interest.
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