High-Grade Copper-Nickel Discovery Expands at Asian Battery Metals' Oval Project
Asian Battery Metals (ASX: AZ9) has announced significant new high-grade copper-nickel results from its Phase 3 drilling program at the Oval Discovery within its wholly owned Yambat Project in Mongolia, confirming multiple massive sulphide zones and expanding the footprint of mineralisation.
Significant High-Grade Zones Extend in Multiple Directions
The latest assay results from the company's Phase 3 drilling program have confirmed substantial extensions to previously identified high-grade mineralisation zones at both North Oval and the main Oval discovery areas.
At North Oval, drillhole OVD036 has extended the massive sulphide zone 130 metres down-dip from previous high-grade intercepts, returning:
- 8.7m @ 2.44% Cu, 1.52% Ni, 1.4g/t PGE, 0.06% Co from 112.8m
- Including 2m @ 3.72% Cu, 3.82% Ni, 1.65g/t PGE, 0.16% Co from 113.3m
At the main Oval area, drillhole OVD040 confirmed the northwestern extension of previously identified high-grade massive sulphide mineralisation with:
- 6.9m @ 3.49% Cu, 3.61% Ni, 0.76g/t PGE, 0.14% Co from 93.5m
- Within a broader mineralised zone of 70.2m @ 0.65% Cu, 0.65% Ni, 0.18g/t PGE, and 0.03% Co from 49.0m
The results from additional holes OVD038 and OVD039 suggest semi-continuous mineralisation over 800m, connecting North Oval to the main Oval gabbroic intrusion.
"These results continue to demonstrate the strength of the mineralised system at Yambat. High-grade zones at Oval and North Oval are now confirmed to extend both at depth and along strike," said Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren, Managing Director of Asian Battery Metals.
Understanding Downhole Electromagnetic (DHEM) Survey Technology
A key driver behind Asian Battery Metals' successful drilling program has been the effective use of Downhole Electromagnetic (DHEM) surveys. This geophysical technique involves lowering specialised probes into completed drill holes to detect conductive bodies – such as massive sulphide mineralisation – that may be located near but not directly intersected by the drill hole.
DHEM surveys measure electromagnetic responses that can indicate the presence, size, and orientation of conductive bodies up to 100 meters away from the drill hole. This allows exploration teams to more precisely target massive sulphide zones in subsequent drilling, significantly improving discovery rates and reducing costs.
The company's success with hole OVD036, which was designed to intercept a DHEM plate designated OVD035-B (11,093 siemens), demonstrates how this technology has been crucial in expanding the high-grade mineralised footprint at Oval.
How DHEM Surveys Work in Mineral Exploration
DHEM surveys operate on the principle that metallic sulphide minerals, particularly those containing copper and nickel, are highly conductive compared to surrounding rock. The process involves:
- Probe Insertion: After drilling is completed, a specialised electromagnetic probe is lowered into the drill hole
- Signal Transmission: A transmitter loop placed on the surface generates electromagnetic fields
- Response Measurement: The probe measures the secondary electromagnetic fields generated by conductive bodies
- Data Analysis: Geophysicists analyse the data to identify and model conductive plates
- Target Generation: Conductive anomalies are ranked by their conductance (measured in siemens) and modelled in 3D space
The conductance value (measured in siemens) indicates how strongly a body conducts electricity, with massive sulphide bodies typically showing high conductance values above 1,000 siemens. The exceptional 11,093 siemens conductance of the OVD035-B plate targeted by hole OVD036 suggested the presence of substantial massive sulphide mineralisation, which was confirmed by the drill results.
Regional Exploration Builds Camp-Scale Potential
Beyond the main Oval and North Oval areas, the company's regional drilling has detected trace PGE and sulphide mineralisation at the MS1 target area, confirming the fertility of the magmatic system and exploration potential for new discovery zones.
At MS1, hole SC07 intersected 27.4m of 0.07% Ni, 0.07% Cu, 0.19g/t PGE from 148.6m with notably high platinum and palladium contents. This mineralisation style indicates the magma has had its nickel content extracted into sulphide phases elsewhere in the intrusive complex, suggesting high exploration potential for the area.
Upcoming Catalysts
Asian Battery Metals has outlined several near-term activities that should provide further news flow:
- SAMSON ground EM survey results expected in mid-July 2025
- Initial metallurgical test work to be completed in first half of Q3 2025
- Ongoing ground-based high-resolution magnetic survey at regional exploration areas
- Interpretation and design of next drilling phase underway
- Drilling to recommence within 4-6 weeks
The company confirmed it remains fully funded for its 2025 exploration program to deliver on its strategic goal of discovering the overall extent of mineralisation at the Oval Cu-Ni-PGE project.
Investment Perspective: A Growing Battery Metals Discovery
The latest results continue to strengthen the case for Oval as a significant copper and nickel discovery well-positioned to supply critical battery metals. Asian Battery Metals is establishing the Yambat Project as a camp-scale magmatic sulphide system with multiple high-grade zones.
Several aspects make this discovery particularly noteworthy for investors:
- Grade quality: The intercepts show exceptional copper and nickel grades that compare favourably with other global nickel-copper discoveries
- Multiple high-grade zones: Both Oval and North Oval areas show massive sulphide mineralisation
- Shallow depths: Many of the high-grade intercepts occur within 100m of surface
- Growing scale: The mineralised footprint continues to expand with each drilling phase
- Open in multiple directions: Mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth
As global demand for battery metals continues to accelerate, discoveries of high-grade copper and nickel deposits are increasingly valuable, particularly those with promising PGE credits. The Oval discovery at Yambat appears to be developing into exactly the type of high-quality deposit that could attract significant attention from major mining companies looking to secure battery metal supply chains.
Want to Capitalise on This High-Grade Copper-Nickel Discovery?
For investors seeking exposure to premium battery metals opportunities, Asian Battery Metals' expanding high-grade copper-nickel discovery at the Oval Project presents a compelling investment case. With multiple massive sulphide zones, exceptional grades, and a growing mineralised footprint, the company is well-positioned in the critical minerals space. To learn more about this emerging discovery and stay updated on upcoming drilling results and development milestones, visit www.asianbatterymetals.com today.
