The ground-based frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) survey at Aim-listed URU Metals’ Zeb nickel project, located on the northern limb of the Bushveld Complex, in South Africa, has begun.

The FDEM survey follows the successful completion of the ground-based gravity survey and forms a key component of the company's ongoing geophysical programme aimed at refining and prioritising drill targets identified from the previously completed airborne surveys.

URU explains that the ground-based FDEM survey will be conducted over the previously defined priority target areas and is designed to further investigate the conductive anomalies identified from the Spectrem airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey.

The survey will use FDEM methods, which are capable of detecting and mapping subsurface conductive bodies at a higher spatial resolution than airborne systems.

While the airborne geophysical programme successfully identified several compelling coincident gravity-magnetic-EM anomalies and confirmed the presence of a magmatic conduit system, URU notes that the ground-based FDEM survey provides a higher-resolution definition of conductive bodies; improved discrimination between sulphide mineralisation and lithological conductors; enhanced understanding of the geometry, depth, and continuity of EM anomalies; and a greater confidence in prioritising drill targets.

The company explains that the survey is specifically designed to better delineate conductive zones that may represent semi-massive to massive nickel sulphide mineralisation, particularly where coincident with dense gravity anomalies identified in the recently completed gravity survey.

The integration of the FDEM results with the gravity and magnetic datasets is expected to significantly improve target definition and maximise the effectiveness of the company's upcoming drilling campaign.

Meanwhile, URU says it is also currently preparing the request for quotation documentation for the selection of a drilling contractor. The company says it looks forward to updating the market once the contractor selection process has been completed and a preferred contractor has been appointed.

URU CEO John Zorbas says the start of the ground-based EM survey marks another important step in advancing the Zeb nickel project.

Following the encouraging results from the gravity survey, he notes that this next phase will allow URU to further refine the conductive anomalies and better understand their potential to host semi-massive to massive nickel sulphide mineralisation.

"We are very excited about the progress being made and look forward to the coming weeks as the FDEM survey progresses. We will continue to provide shareholders with regular updates as results are received and interpreted, further strengthening our pipeline of high-quality drill targets,” says Zorbas.