Results from the helicopter-borne VTEM (Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic) survey revealed a large 7.6 km x 2.3 km high-conductivity zone near existing nickel-platinum group element mineralisation at Fontenoy, suggesting a greater endowment of critical minerals may be present East-Southeast of the previous drilling campaigns.
This potential expansion of the mineralised system solidifies Fontenoy as a globally significant project.
The conductive zone overlaps with results from prior drillholes at Fontenoy, suggesting a link between conductivity and mineralisation. The conductive zone is a very large prospective region for exploration immediately to the east of known prospects.
Earth AI will begin an extensive 10,000-metre campaign in July aimed at drilling the high conductivity zone.
This drilling campaign will include up to 17 drillholes and target conductivity highs, gradients within and around the conductivity zone, and include a continuation of drilling out the palladium-nickel mineralised zone.
EARTH AI is excited to announce the electromagnetic survey results from the Fontenoy Project. “We are blown away by the results of the survey,” stated Roman Teslyuk, Chief Executive Officer, and founder of Earth AI. “To highlight a large conductor of such size and continuity that is correlated to mineralisation is an exceptional result.”
“Fontenoy is a highly prospective tenement identified by our AI, it was the first ever magmatic nickel-palladium mineralisation found on the East Coast of Australia. It was already a landmark project for us, and it continues to exceed expectations. With geological parallels to Norilsk, I firmly believe Fontenoy possesses an opportunity to become the world’s premier nickel-palladium project.”
The primary objective of the survey was to highlight geophysical responses associated with the PGE-Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mineralisation found during the last two drilling campaigns and to expand coverage across the broader mafic-ultramafic intrusive complex.
The VTEM method employs low-frequency electromagnetic signals to detect subsurface conductivity. Metallic minerals, specifically nickel and palladium are very conductive. The survey was flown over a 12km x 3.5km grid at 100-metre line spacing, concurrently collecting high-resolution magnetic data.
Furthermore, 3D inversion modelling conducted by UTS Geophysics, has defined a large and highly conductive body measuring approximately 7.6 km x 2.3 km, with continuity to the depth limit of the survey.
Notably, the electromagnetic responses in areas previously drilled, where significant grades of PGE-Ni-Cu-Co sulphides were intersected, show only moderate conductivity. However, a newly identified, highly conductive anomaly located immediately east of these drillholes presents an exciting exploration target.
The scale, depth, and geometry of this conductor are consistent with the potential presence of massive mineral accumulations and suggest it could represent the core of the mineralised system.
This spatial relationship is compelling: significant mineralisation was encountered on the flanks of this large anomaly, implying that the main body is potentially richer, more extensive, and remains untested.
The geological characteristics of the intrusion are similar to those of the Norilsk complex. This mafic-ultramafic intrusion displays a complex taxitic layered texture, with rock compositions ranging from picrites and plagioclase peridotites to leucogabbros.
The intrusion forms a sill-like body and exhibits strong geochemical and mineralogical affinities with Norilsk-type systems. These include Sperrylite, platinum arsenide mineral, elevated chromium (Cr) concentrations, high palladium-to-platinum (Pd/Pt) ratios, and disseminated sulphide mineralisation.
The sulphides typically occur interstitially within the cumulate textures, indicating a magmatic origin.
This prospect holds profound implications for the global critical minerals market, offering a stable and ethical source of palladium, platinum, and nickel–essential components for national security and the clean energy transition.
As the world seeks to de-risk supply chains and reduce reliance on geopolitically sensitive regions, Fontenoy stands poised to become a vital contributor to global critical mineral security.
The Fontenoy project continues to demonstrate strong potential for further expansion. This is a strategic priority for Earth AI. They are committed to accelerate development to fully delineate the scale and economic viability of this remarkable discovery.
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