Chalice gains access to Julimar Forest

The company stated that the activities would be non-ground disturbing as it explores three airborne electromagnetic (EM) anomalies located in the forest.

The anomalies, Hartog, Baudin and Jansz, are directly along strike from Chalice’s Gonneville discovery.

Chalice flagged late last year that its Gonneville intrusion could continue into the forest.

This permission marks what will be the first nickel-copper-PGE exploration activities within the state forest.

Chalice managing director Alex Dorsch said that this access approval had been eagerly anticipated and was highly significant, allowing the company to understand the true scale of the Julimar discovery.

“The targets to the north of the world-class Gonneville discovery have the potential to add material value to the project and we are incredibly excited to be the first on the ground,” he said.

“The strength and scale of the EM target at Hartog has drawn significant interest and we believe it could represent a different section of the intrusive complex which may be prospective for new styles of nickel-copper-PGE mineralisation.

“… Chalice appreciates the conservation values of the area and take its environmental responsibilities seriously. We intend to test the area as quickly as possible with minimal impact according to the approved (conservation management plan), and eagerly anticipate the first results.”

Chalice expects to start exploration activities in the state forest in the coming weeks and complete them within the first quarter of this year.

The company raised $100 million to support its Julimar development activities last month, part of which will be used for initial drill testing of the targets.