The Typhoon survey, which started in November 2023, identified two significant chargeability anomalies: Umm Ad Dabah and Area B.
Ivanhoe Electric, in partnership with Ma’aden, has begun drilling at the Umm Ad Dabah anomaly. This marks the initial stage of their exploration near Ma’aden’s Al Amar mine, known for gold, copper, and zinc.
Established in 2023, the joint venture focuses on exploring for gold, copper, silver, and various electrification metals, including lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
The Typhoon survey detected chargeability anomalies at Umm Ad Dabah and Area B. Drilling has commenced at Umm Ad Dabah, with a second rig scheduled for Area B in August.
The Umm Ad Dabah anomaly, identified using Typhoon and Computational Geosciences’ software, starts 200m below the surface and extends beyond 1,000m in depth.
The exploration plan includes drilling eight holes over two months to study the anomaly. The first hole will reach 250m to examine the top, while subsequent holes will target deeper sections.
Ivanhoe Electric’s President and CEO, Taylor Melvin, mentioned: We have been able to survey large areas quickly at Al Amar to identify areas for drill testing. With the arrival of the Joint Venture’s third new generation Typhoon machine in September, we will be expanding and accelerating our exploration efforts.
The joint venture holds exploration licenses and applications covering 48,500km² in Saudi Arabia. These include the Al Amar belt, Wadi Bidah and Bir Umq belts, and the carbonate platform on the eastern edge of the Arabian Shield.
The next Typhoon survey is planned for the Gehab prospect in the Wadi Bidah belt, located 220 to 270km southeast of Jeddah. Prior geological mapping and sampling have been done to prepare for this survey.
