AZ9's Mongolia Play Gets Bigger: New Massive Sulphides Found
Second massive sulphide hit in Mongolia proves AZ9's initial discovery was no fluke. The high-grade Copper story keeps building at The Oval
Asian Battery Metals (ASX: AZ9) has proven its initial discovery was no one-hit wonder. The company just announced another significant massive sulphide intersection at its Oval project in Mongolia, hitting high-grade mineralisation 500m north of their discovery hole.
The significance of this result cannot be overstated. Massive sulphides - the high-grade zones that explorers dream of finding - don't just appear randomly. They're the concentrated result of dynamic magmatic processes, often forming in feeder conduits or traps within a more extensive mineral system.
The fact that AZ9 has now identified multiple occurrences of massive sulphides over a significant distance at the Oval Project speaks volumes about the potential scale and fertility of this system.
AZ9 aren’t wasting any time either, they’ve got a drill rig on site now testing the orientation of this ore body.
For those who've been following AZ9 since we first added them to our portfolio, this is what we were hoping to see. We spotted the potential early, but even we're impressed by how this story is developing.
With each new drill hole, and more to come, AZ9 is painting a picture of something that could be much bigger than first thought - and right in the heart of Mongolia's prime mining country.
Let’s dig into the numbers…
Drilling Delivers: The Numbers That Matter
Drill hole OVD025 has emerged as today's standout performer. It intercepted 3.6 metres of massive sulphide mineralisation from just 44.6m deep within a broader 12.4-metre zone of dense disseminated sulphides, located 500 metres northwest of the earlier significant discovery hole.
“Massive sulphide mineralisation is confirmed at the North Oval area, a further 500 metres north west of the previously intercepted and reported massive sulphide in drillhole.”
AZ9 Managing Director - Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren
For perspective, the discovery hole (OVD021) returned 8.8 metres grading 6.08% Cu, 3.19% Ni, and 1.63 g/t PGE—a world-class result that got the market’s attention. OVD025 not only validates the geological model but also expands the footprint of high-grade mineralisation at the Oval Project.
Why This Matters for AZ9
The Oval Project is shaping up to be something special.
When exploring for copper and nickel deposits, you really want to see a system with high grades and size potential. AZ9 is showing signs of both.
The mineralisation style observed in OVD025 reveals an important story. The combination of massive sulphides alongside broader zones of disseminated mineralisation is what you want to see in these systems - it's often indicative of a well-developed feeder system that could support a significant deposit.
AZ9’s technical approach is paying off. Their geophysical work, with the DHEM and EM surveys, has identified multiple promising conductive targets, suggesting there's plenty more to test beyond the known zones.
The model they're developing points to potential mineralisation at depth, which could significantly expand the project's scale.
For investors, three key advantages stand out:
High-grade mineralisation: World-class grades in OVD021, now complemented by a second massive sulphide hit.
Scalable potential: Increased footprint with two massive sulphides intersected 500m apart and potential at depth.
Systematic de-risking: Drilling has continually improved the understanding and future targeting of the Oval project.
Lessons Learned and Steps Forward
Exploration is as much about refining the geological model as it is about immediate discovery.
While OVD025 is clearly a winner, not every hole hits massive sulphides - nor should we expect them to. The broader drilling program around OVD021 has revealed extensive zones of disseminated mineralisation - still indicating we're dealing with a fertile system.
Better yet, the data from the DHEM survey have led management to believe the orientation of conductive plates is in a NNE trend, giving the team clear targets for their next round of drilling.
What's Next?
The stage is set for an exciting next phase of exploration. Immediate priorities include:
Testing the high-grade trend: Drill rig on site now testing the NNE-oriented targets near OVD021, where the high-grade trend is now interpreted to extend.
Going deeper: Chasing potentially larger accumulations of massive sulphides.
Expanding the footprint: Following up on several compelling targets across the broader project area
We're particularly interested in the assay results from OVD025, which are expected to confirm the high visual estimates for copper and nickel. These assays will not only quantify the mineralisation but also guide subsequent drill programs.
AZ9's Oval Project is a textbook example of systematic, data-driven exploration. Management's ability to refine its drilling strategy whilst continuing to drill targets shows the strength of its technical team.
The Bottom Line
AZ9's Oval Project is showing all the signs we look for in a major discovery. The combination of high grades, growing scale, and systematic exploration makes this one of the more compelling stories in the copper space right now.
For those who got in when we first added AZ9 to our portfolio, the thesis is playing out nicely. For those just discovering the story, it's still early days. With more drilling planned and plenty of targets to test, we expect the news flow to remain strong.
Stay tuned - this is precisely the kind of opportunity we love to bring to our readers.