URU Metals commences ground geophysics at South African nickel project

AIM-listed URU Metals has begun line preparation activities for a ground-based geophysical programme at its Zeb nickel project on the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, marking the next phase of exploration at the site.

The line preparation, which started on March 2, is required to provide safe and continuous access for survey crews and equipment and ensure accurate data acquisition along planned gravity and frequency-domain electromagnetic profiles.

The ground-based survey will be conducted over two priority areas and aims to enhance the resolution and refine the interpretation of previously completed airborne geophysical work.

While airborne surveys successfully identified several coincident gravity-magnetic-EM anomalies and confirmed the presence of a magmatic conduit system, ground-based geophysics offers higher spatial resolution, improved anomaly definition, and greater confidence in prioritising drill targets.

The frequency-domain EM survey is specifically designed to better delineate conductive bodies that may represent semi-massive to massive nickel sulphide mineralisation within the interpreted conduit system.

Higher-resolution gravity data will assist in mapping dense ultramafic bodies and identifying potential sulphide accumulations.

Company chief executive John Zorbas said the beginning of ground-based geophysics represents an important technical step forward for the project.

He said that while the airborne programme successfully identified several compelling targets, the higher-resolution ground surveys will allow the company to sharpen its focus on the most prospective semi-massive nickel sulphide targets, maximising the effectiveness of the upcoming drilling campaign.

The company expects to provide regular updates as line preparation progresses, surveys advance, and results are interpreted.