Western Mines Declares Mulga Tank the Largest Nickel Sulphide Deposit in Australia

Western Mines Group

5.3 Million Tonnes of Nickel Identified in Maiden Resource Estimate

Western Mines Group (ASX: WMG) has completed its maiden resource estimate for the Mulga Tank Project in Western Australia, confirming over 5 million tonnes of contained nickel. The company believes Mulga Tank is the largest nickel sulphide deposit in Australia and ranks among the top 10 globally.

The total resource at Mulga Tank stands at 1.968 billion tonnes grading 0.27% nickel, 131 parts per million (ppm) cobalt, 82ppm copper, and 17 parts per billion (ppb) platinum and palladium. This translates to 5.3 million tonnes of nickel, 257,000 tonnes of cobalt, 161,000 tonnes of copper, and 1.1 million ounces of platinum and palladium.

Exploration and Future Development

Western Mines is advancing the project with additional exploration programs planned for 2025. Managing Director Caedmon Marriott emphasized the significance of the resource estimate, stating, “It demonstrates what we have long stated — that the main body of the complex hosts a globally significant nickel sulphide deposit, we believe the largest nickel sulphide deposit in Australia and top 10 in the world.”

The indicated resource category includes 565 million tonnes at 0.28% nickel, while the inferred category contains 1.403 billion tonnes at 0.27% nickel. Marriott highlighted the company's strategy to focus on higher-grade zones, citing 23 drill intersections exceeding 1% nickel, with some reaching up to 4.5% nickel and 4.8% copper.

Geological Significance of Mulga Tank

The Mulga Tank Project is situated on the under-explored Minigwal Greenstone Belt in Western Australia’s Yilgarn Craton. The belt consists of ultramafic, mafic volcanic, and sedimentary rocks bounded by granite, with structurally controlled ultramafic and mafic formations.

Since its initial exploration target estimate, Western Mines has completed two additional phases of drilling, totaling 36 holes for 11,536 meters. The company has incorporated these results into a block model, confirming a significant mineralized zone within the Mulga Tank Complex.

Western Mines continues to focus on gold and nickel sulphide exploration across its portfolio of projects on major mineral belts in Western Australia.