OREAS 181 has been prepared from a blend of low and high grade Ni-Co lateritic ores sourced from the Bulong deposit located 35km east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. This ore formed from prolonged lateritic weathering of Archaean (Yilgarn Craton) olivine rich ultramafic/komatiite flows. Grades of >1% Ni were generated in zones of more intense weathering associated with faulting and bedrock alteration. The Ni-Co nontronitic (Fe-Ni smectite clays) siliceous ores at Bulong formed with a goethitic overprint in the upper laterite profile.
CRM Code |
Principle Certified Values |
State |
Matrix |
Mineralization |
OREAS 181 |
Ni 5123ppm |
Co 451ppm |
Sc 38.2ppm |
oxide |
transitional saprolite/limonite |
lateritic nickel |