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ECR Minerals #ECR – Extended Gold Prospectivity and Niobium Bullseye Discovery at the Lolworth Project
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce the latest exploration developments for the Lolworth Project, North Queensland, Australia.
The Lolworth Project is located approximately 120km west of the historic gold mining centre of Charters Towers, North Queensland, Australia. The project consists of three exploration tenements (EPM27901, EPM27902 and EPM27903) and are operated under the 100% owned LUX Exploration Pty Ltd. The Company has identified numerous Gold, Niobium and REE anomalous within the project.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 81 follow-up pan concentrate stream samples results have been returned. Best results include 128 ppm Au, 23.7 ppm Au, 42.3 ppm Au and 60.9 ppm Au. These results have further extended the gold prospectivity of the Reedy Creek area to the west.
- Results (pXRF) from a tighter spaced soil sampling campaign in the Oaky Creek area have identified an interesting Niobium target.
- Field work, including rock chipping, mapping and tighter spaced pan concentrate stream sampling at both Woolshed Creek and Gorge Creek prospects continue to reveal visible gold, indicating potential for increased prospectivity across the project area.
ECR Managing Director Nick Tulloch commented: “In the midst of significant structural changes at ECR and our ongoing work to evaluate the Company’s asset base, Adam Jones and the field team are to be commended for their tireless work in bringing these exciting developments at our Lolworth Range project to life.”
ECR Chief Operations Officer Mike Whitlow added: “Echoing Nick’s words, our team have been particularly pleased with the latest results as this gives confirmation to our exploration thesis at Lolworth, 128 ppm Gold being our best result has been supported by a number of additional very high-grade samples taken within the surrounding area. Whilst we recognise the early stage nature of this work, the confidence in today’s announcement leaves us naturally inspired to continue our efforts at Lolworth towards the end of the year, at which point we will have the perfect opportunity to plan our accelerated future work programme. We are understandably very excited by this latest development.”
Figure One: Oaky Creek Niobium soil anomaly:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig1_Niobium-230924.png
Figure Two: Reedy Creek gold result:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig2_Reedy-Ck-230924.png
Figure Three: Woolshed Creek gold anomalism:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig3_Woolshed-Ck-230924.png
Figure Four: Visible gold extent from sampling in Upper Gorge Creek:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig4_Gorge-Ck-West.png
NIOBIUM SOIL SAMPLING RESULTS (Oaky Creek)
Since commencing work at Oaky Creek, ECR has logged a series of highly anomalous Niobium (Nb) and Tantalum (Ta) stream sampling results from the upper reaches of the creek.
The Company reported up to 146 ppm Nb in the first pass soil sampling grid on the 19th July 2023 (see July 19 2023 RNS here). Whilst still early stage, the high priority zones identified from the first pass grid and tested in-house using a pXRF have been followed up, and 17 samples reporting greater than 80 ppm Nb have been identified, with a best result of 497 ppm Nb. It is important to note the results from pXRF data are qualitative not quantitative and should only to be used for identifying the pathfinder anomaly.
These new results combined with the first pass soil sampling show strongly elevated levels of Nb within the centre of the sampled area. Previous high-grade Nb and Ta results from sampling the drainage systems that originate from this elevated centre support the new soil sampling results within the anomalous area and bullseye identified (shown in Figure One above).
The field team and the Board have agreed that the next logical next step will be to undertake a traverse ‘ridge and spur’ rock chip sampling program over the anomalous area. This work is expected to be completed before the 2023 field season ends.
PAN CONCENTRATE SAMPLING PROGRAMME UPDATE
Results from a further 81 samples have been received from the ongoing pan concentrate stream sampling program from streams tested in the northern part of the tenement area. Although these results returned no gold, a small group of samples were taken from streams located approximately 2km to the west of the Reedy Creek area which returned high concentrations of gold with results up to 128 ppm Au. Visible coarse gold particles were often seen during the sampling process and for the majority, correlate well with the best laboratory gold results. More significantly, these results extend the gold footprint further west from Reedy Creek, and a follow-up soil sample grid programme has been scheduled for completion in the near future (see Reedy Creek map images in Figure Two above). All gold results greater than 0.1 ppm Au have been tabled in Appendix One to this announcement.
The majority of these stream results have been taken from outside of the Niobium-Tantalum and REE prospective area. Results have returned 14 stream samples reporting greater than 80 ppm Nb with one best result of 2380 ppm Nb. This best result also correlates to other REE elements including Lanthanum (La), Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Ta and Yttrium (Y). The best Nb results have been identified within isolated creeks in the eastern part of the project area and are encouraging signs for the regional prospectivity for critical minerals and REE in other unexplored areas of the tenement area. All received Nb results greater than 80 ppm are tabulated in Appendix One to this announcement.
RECENT FIELD WORK
ECR Technical Director Adam Jones visited the Lolworth Project in September. He and his field team collected some 180 rock chips from prospective outcrops at Woolshed Creek area and the upper reaches of Gorge Creek and were greatly encouraged by the general prospectivity of the region. The lab results for this work are due in October 2023.
Within the upper reaches of the Gorge Creek catchment area, the creek system divides into western and eastern tributaries. While undertaking sampling work in the western tributary, the field team noted visible gold up to the dividing range spur, and acquired a number of small gold nuggets up to 11 grams in weight. A targeted soil sampling program is now underway across the spur to identify the source of this gold.
The Company has also undertaken detailed outcrop mapping and rock chip sampling within the Woolshed Creek area which is located north west of Reedy Creek (see Figure Three above). A series of parallel creeks showing gold values backed up by visible gold were identified previously, and a rock chip located in a narrow-mineralised vein returned 4.73 g/t Au. The field team returned to this vein during the September 2023 work programme to map out and rock chip sample other similar small veins running in parallel. Results from this work are expected in October 2023. Although it is unlikely that all veins will be gold-bearing, the Board and field team are of the opinion that the trend of previous stream results in the area along the strike of outcrop provides sufficient evidence to mark out the zone as an area of high prospectivity. A follow-up soil sampling grid over this strike area is planned shortly.
NEXT STEPS
The exploration season in North Queensland typically ends by December 2023 with the onset of the tropical wet season and with flooding preventing access. Before this, our exploration work plan is shown below with the objective being to gather sufficient data to be analysed whilst the team are off-site during the wet season to identify the broader exploration potential of the region.
- Soil sampling programme across the creeks at the head of Gorge Creek West.
- Ridge and spur sampling across the best Niobium soil anomalies at the Oaky Creek prospect.
- Soil Sampling over the Woolshed Creek headwaters.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Technical Director of Exploration at ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | |||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman
Nick Tulloch, Managing Director Andrew Scott, Director |
||||
| Email: | ||||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | ||||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | |||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
||||
| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | |||
| Broker | ||||
| Nick Emerson | ||||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | |||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
||||
| Brand Communications | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green | ||||
ECR Minerals #ECR – Gold and Niobium Rock Chip Results from the Lolworth Project, Queensland
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce the results from the first batch of rock chips at the Lolworth Project, Queensland.
ECR Minerals plc has 100% ownership of three exploration tenements (EPM27901, EPM27902 and EPM27903), which covers the Lolworth Range, located 120km west of the famous gold district of Charters Towers. Previous exploration campaigns from 2021 have identified the presence of Gold (Au), Niobium-Tantalum (Nb-Ta) and REE mineralisation within the licenced area. The project is being explored under ECR’s Australian wholly owned subsidiary Lux Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Gold results from outcrop in the Reedy Creek area of 22 g/t Au and 0.54 g/t Au.
- Niobium results up to 96.7 ppm from Pegmatite outcrops in the headwaters of Oaky Creek.
CEO Andrew Haythorpe commented: “Further great work from Adam Jones and the field team in collating and defining the key areas of interest at our Lolworth project. Exploring and mapping a large area of virgin territory requires an organised and disciplined approach, but it is rapidly becoming evident that thanks to the diligence of our field team, we are zeroing in on areas with high potential at Oaky Creek and Reedy Creek.”
“I look forward to reporting further news in the coming weeks.”
(Figure One) Map of the anomalous Niobium areas identified from soil sampling and rock chips to date in the headwaters of Oaky Creek:
Figure One: https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig1_Nb_Chips_230815.png
NIOBIUM ROCK CHIP RESULTS
A total of 74 rock chips were taken from outcropping pegmatites that abound within a highly anomalous niobium stream catchment area forming part of the upper end of Oaky Creek. Previous results from this stream for Niobium and Tantalum indicated the mineralisation source was likely to exist within the amphitheatre of this ridgeline (see Figure One above), and this was supported by pXRF analysis of soil samples taken and analysed with our hand held pXRF device (see announcement dated July 22 2023 here). The best Niobium samples were located on the western edge of the drainage area (see Figure One), and it was noted that these pegmatites had become altered by silica-albatised fluids. Results up to 96.7 ppm Nb were recorded, along with results across a further twelve samples all greater than 50 ppm Nb. Our team continue to systematically work across a large area, collecting further rock chip samples, and the Board believes that the combination of previous soil sample results and follow-up rock chip samples could ultimately lead our team to a potential source of mineralisation.
REEDY CREEK AREA
Reedy Creek has been a focus for gold mineralisation for the ECR field team. An initial 28 rock chips were taken from the hill slopes within the catchment area where visible coarse gold had been noted in the pan concentrate samples and where gold nuggets were located on the slopes above the best pan concentrate results. Only two rock chips to date have shown gold mineralisation, with a best result of 22 g/t Au obtained from a large quartz outcrop on one of the hillsides. A rock chip returning 0.54 g/t Au was obtained from a narrow quartz sub-crop residing on a spur ridge situated between two gold bearing creek drainages. The Board have concluded that the Reedy Creek area is host to gold mineralisation only.
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES
The field team has now moved further to the south of the project area to follow up gold bearing drainages. Prior to this move, a further batch of stream samples were submitted from streams on the western and southern side of Reedy Creek, some of which showed visible gold. The Board believes this could lead to another potential anomalous gold bearing area.
A programme of further defined soil sampling has been undertaken across the best results previously identified from the preliminary soil grid. These will be also analysed for Niobium by pXRF this month. The Board believes that these results will guide to better outcrops, that can in turn be followed up with rock chip sampling to confirm the presence of Niobium. The timing of this work is governed by cattle mustering activities in the area, but nonetheless it is expected that the work will be completed within the next few weeks.
Exploration is also continuing to the south of Reedy Creek on an adjoining cattle grazing property. The creeks observed within the area are geologically similar to Reedy Creek where coarse gold is present. The field team will map the area and take rock chips from the creek headwaters during the month, with results expected approximately 15 days from the samples arriving at the laboratory.
Separately, a large rock chip programme is scheduled to commence shortly at the Hurricane Project, located 400km north of the Lolworth Project.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Technical Director of Exploration at ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | |||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman
Andrew Haythorpe, CEO |
||||
| Email: | ||||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | ||||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | |||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
||||
| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | |||
| Broker | ||||
| Nick Emerson | ||||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | |||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
||||
| Brand Communications | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green | ||||
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has six licence applications outstanding which includes one licence application lodged in eastern Victoria. (Tambo gold project). MGA is currently drilling at the Bailieston Blue Moon Project (EL5433) and undertaking geochemical exploration on the Creswick (EL6148) project and has an experienced exploration team with significant local knowledge in the Victoria Goldfields and wider region.
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three approved exploration permits covering 946 km2 over a relatively unexplored area in Queensland, Australia.
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), Mercator Gold Australia Pty Limited has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
ECR holds a 90% interest in the Danglay gold project; an advanced exploration project located in a prolific gold and copper mining district in the north of the Philippines, which has a 43-101 compliant resource. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina and can potentially receive up to US$2.7 million in aggregate across all licences.
ECR Minerals #ECR – Latest Results for Lolworth Gold, Niobium, Tantalum and REE Pan Concentrate Stream Samples
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce the first batch of results for follow-up pan concentrate stream sampling targeting Gold, Niobium, Tantalum and REE at the Lolworth Project, Queensland.
ECR Minerals plc has 100% ownership of three exploration tenements (EPM27901, EPM27902 and EPM27903), which covers the Lolworth Range, located 120km west of the famous gold district of Charters Towers. Previous exploration campaigns from 2021 have identified the presence of Gold (Au), Niobium-Tantalum (Nb-Ta) and REE mineralisation within the licenced area. The project is being explored under ECR’s Australian wholly owned subsidiary Lux Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”).
HIGHLIGHTS
- A total of 200 results for pan concentration stream samples from the first part of the 2023 field season have been received.
- Gold pan concentrates with results up to 594 ppm and multiple occurrences of visible gold have been recorded around the Reedy Creek area.
- 28 out of 200 samples show values greater than 500 ppm in Niobium, and these results continue to add to the Board’s confidence that we are zeroing in on the source rocks and a potentially significant discovery.
- Rare Earth Element (Neodymium) has also been identified over a broad area of the project area with 19 out of the 200 samples greater than 1000ppm Nd.
CEO Andrew Haythorpe commented: “Putting aside the fact today’s results add a further significant piece to the Lolworth jigsaw, the progress announced today also serves to illustrate the painstaking and methodical work by Adam Jones and the field team in mapping and logging a hitherto virtually untouched and unexplored area. The detail now provided by the numerous Gold, Niobium and Tantalum results generated from this work are enabling us to zero in on the sources and the high potential locations in order that we can delineate drill targets.”
“ECR’s Lolworth project continues to exceed expectations. Meanwhile we expect to report further results from our projects within a week.”
(Figure One) Map of the Lolworth Project area with locations of best Gold Prospects Identified to date on the Lolworth Project Area:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig1_Gold_Aug-2023.png
(Figure Two) Map of Gold results to date from the Reedy Creek area:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig2_Reedy-Ck_Aug-2023.png
(Figure Three) Overview map showing the values of Niobium and Neodymium across the Lolworth Project area:
https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig3_Nb-Ta-Nd_Aug-2023.png
FIRST PAN CONCENTRATE RESULTS FOR 2023
ECR has received 200 results from the first submitted batch of pan concentrate samples for the 2023 field season. A total of 628 pan concentrate samples have been taken since the beginning of exploration at the Lolworth Project in 2022, and the field team continue to record daily occurrences of visible gold during the pan sampling process. Best gold results include 594 ppm and 138 ppm Au, and these are supported by the recurring presence of coarse visible gold.
Despite these promising readings, there is naturally a degree of bias due to the regular visible gold occurences, and the Board wish to stress that these results are not indicative of an in-situ resource within the creek itself. Nonetheless, the collective results do conclude that gold is present in these creeks and the sources could be present in the headwaters of these stream drainages. The field team has started the field season focussed on the Niobium-Tantalum (Nb-Ta) drainages of Oaky Creek and the Gold (Au) drainages in the vicinity of Reedy Creek (see Figures Two and Three above).
REEDY CREEK AREA
Situated within the centre of the Project area (see Figure One above), the drainages in the vicinity of Reedy Creek show the presence of gold only, with no indication of Nb or Ta. During field work, it was discovered that one stream within the area displayed signs of previous alluvial mining activity, most likely to be from the 1870’s. Although the adjacent drainage channels have yet to be fully worked through, the field team has already recorded the presence of gold during the current exploration program (see Figure Two above). In addition to this, the field team has also discovered coarse nuggety gold on the flats adjacent to other drainage channels in this area, along with visible gold discoveries in streams to the west. The overall picture for these gold results indicates that they originate from a high hill located in the centre of Reedy Creek (see Figure Two above). Further results from follow-up work samples taken across the Reedy Creek streams are awaited. In addition, numerous rock chips have been taken as a part of the first pass exploration within the headwaters of some these gold bearing streams. Results from these are due shortly.
NIOBIUM, TANTALUM AND REE (Neodymium)
The field team has also followed up the best stream drainage results from the previous campaign that recorded Niobium, Tantalum and other potential Rare-Earth Elements (REE) around the Oaky Creek area (see Figure One above). Due to the presence of Nb and Ta, the team are now testing for all known 12 REE’s (not previously tested for). These latest results add to the existing evidence, and continue to show a strong presence of Nb and Ta within the Oaky Creek area. In addition, the team have also proved that the presence of Neodymium (Nd) is spatially associated with Nb and Ta results across the Project area (see Figure Three above). Neodymium of course has numerous applications, and is used for strong magnets in electrical motors.
NEXT STEPS AND FURTHER RESULTS EXPECTED
As previously mentioned, the field team has taken numerous rock chips within the Reedy Creek area (Gold) and from the headwaters of the Oaky Creek area (Nb-Ta). These rock chips represent samples from outcrops seen on our first pass through Reedy Creek and Oaky Creek, and results from these samples are also expected.
Secondly, follow-up soil samples from the recently reported pXRF soil sampling results last month have now been completed ready for initial pXRF analysis during August.
The field team have now moved to the south from Reedy Creek into Gorge Creek (see Figure One above). The Project area covers working cattle properties, and as such a comprehensive work-around plan is in place. Given the progress to date, the Board are confident the field team will return to the Reedy Creek and Oaky Creek area before the field season finishes this summer to undertake further rock chip and soil sampling and to delineate future drill targets.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Technical Director of Exploration at ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | |||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman
Andrew Haythorpe, CEO |
||||
| Email: | ||||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | ||||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | |||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
||||
| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | |||
| Broker | ||||
| Nick Emerson | ||||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | |||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
||||
| Brand Communications | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green | ||||
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has six licence applications outstanding which includes one licence application lodged in eastern Victoria. (Tambo gold project). MGA is currently drilling at the Bailieston Blue Moon Project (EL5433) and undertaking geochemical exploration on the Creswick (EL6148) project and has an experienced exploration team with significant local knowledge in the Victoria Goldfields and wider region.
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three approved exploration permits covering 946 km2 over a relatively unexplored area in Queensland, Australia.
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), Mercator Gold Australia Pty Limited has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
ECR holds a 90% interest in the Danglay gold project; an advanced exploration project located in a prolific gold and copper mining district in the north of the Philippines, which has a 43-101 compliant resource. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina and can potentially receive up to US$2.7 million in aggregate across all licences
ECR Minerals #ECR – Initial interpretations of pXRF analysis from the first Lolworth Range Niobium Soil Grid
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce the initial geological interpretations from pXRF analysis of the first planned soil grid which is following up previously identified pan concentrate Niobium results to date from the Lolworth Project, Queensland.
ECR Minerals plc has 100% ownership of three exploration tenements (EPM27901, EPM27902 and EPM27903), which covers the Lolworth Range, located 120km west of the famous gold district of Charters Towers. Previous exploration campaigns from 2021 have identified the presence of Gold (Au), Niobium-Tantalum (Nb-Ta) and REE mineralisation within the licenced area. The project is being explored under ECR’s Australian wholly owned subsidiary Lux Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”).
HIGHLIGHTS
- A total of 1488 planned soil samples have been completed.
- Samples were taken on a 100m x 50m grid pattern on ridgelines immediately above anomalous streams that were previously found to contain over 5000 ppm Nb (0.5%).
- In-house pXRF analysis of 1386 samples from the completed soil sampling have shown Nb values up to 146 ppm to be present in soils below the eroded ridgelines.
- The best Nb values also correlate with a decreasing K/Rb Ratio which suggests fractionation of the pegmatitic rocks and the increased fertility for the mineralisation of critical minerals.
- More defined follow-up soil sampling and rock chip sampling is on track to be completed this year.
CEO Andrew Haythorpe commented: “These pXRF results are part of the Lolworth exploration campaign and continue to contribute to the emerging picture there. The method saves both time and money and enables our field team to zero in on areas most likely to contain anomalous mineralisation without the expense of lab testing. Initial pXRF interpretations show consistent indicative Nb values, and as can be seen in Fig 2, the Nb grid values closely correlate with the results of the K/Rb fractionation ratio.”
“These results continue to support our view that Lolworth could be host to a significant Gold, Niobium, Tantalum and REE discovery, and I look forward to reporting back with the next phase of sampling and fieldwork results, along with our initial findings from the fieldwork follow up to the Hurricane project LIDAR survey.”
(Figure 1) Map of the Lolworth Project area with the location of the best Niobium pan concentrate results previously discovered and the location of the completed soil grid:
Figure 1: https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig1_230719
(Figure 2) Two maps showing the comparison of results from pXRF analysis of the soil samples. The fractionation index (K/Rb ratio) shown within the top plan and the Nb results are shown in the bottom plan. Note the highest Nb results spatially correlate to the increased fractionated of the pegmatite rocks (K/Rb ratio):
Figure 2: https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig2_230719
FOLLOW UP TO PREVIOUS WORK
ECR previously announced the identification of Nb-Ta mineralisation from the pan concentrate stream sampling programs on December 23rd 2022 here and February 1st 2023 here. The results of this sampling work concluded with the discovery of an anomalous north-south striking ridgeline in the centre of the project area, (see Figure One above for this location).
A broad soil sampling grid with a spacing 50m x 100m was then created over this ridgeline in order to identify the source rocks for the Nb-Ta. A pXRF spectrum instrument that detects heavy elements such as Nb was used for initial in-house testing for a total of 1386 samples. pXRF testing is a well proven methodology and stands up well in comparison to laboratory results although it cannot be used for quantifiable purposes. Even so the Board are satisfied that the pXRF results provide a firm and accurate identification of anomalous areas that can be sampled in greater detail and concentration, before finally undergoing laboratory testing. Importantly, this early stage sampling method saves valuable time and money.
K/Rb FRACTIONATION AND THE LINK TO FERTILE GRANTIES FOR NB-TA AND REE MINERALISATION
It is accepted geological practice that the Potassium (K) and Rubidium (Rb) values of granitic rocks can be used to calculate a fractionation ratio index. During the formation of the granitic host rocks, the Potassium can be replaced by the element Rubidium during the formation of the granite melt. Incompatible elements (such as Lithium and REE’s) are preferentially exsolved from this melt where the K/Rb ratio is broadly less than 150. The initial results of the K/Rb ratio derived from soil pXRF analysis show the lowest numbers are centrally located in the gridded area, (see Figure Two, top map). The K/Rb ratio is also supported by the increase of Nb concentrations within the gridded area, (see Figure Two, bottom map).
NEXT STEPS
The Board has already planned follow up soil sampling within the most prospective areas, with work scheduled to commence by end of August 2023. Rock chip samples have been taken from some of the anomalous stream catchment areas, and results from this work are anticipated within the next three weeks. Further rock chip sampling will be undertaken in other anomalous areas identified from these soil results.
Pan concentrate stream sampling work continues, with some 180 samples awaiting analysis at the laboratory. These samples follow up previous stream results, and it is anticipated that these will assist in identifying additional prospective ridgelines. The sampling process remains focussed on Gold, Nb-Ta and REE mineralisation, in addition to which numerous visible gold samples were noted during recent pan sampling work.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Technical Director of Exploration at ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | |||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman
Andrew Haythorpe, CEO |
||||
| Email: | ||||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | ||||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | |||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
||||
| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | |||
| Broker | ||||
| Nick Emerson | ||||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | |||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
||||
| Brand Communications | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green | ||||
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has six licence applications outstanding which includes one licence application lodged in eastern Victoria. (Tambo gold project). MGA is currently drilling at the Bailieston Blue Moon Project (EL5433) and undertaking geochemical exploration on the Creswick (EL6148) project and has an experienced exploration team with significant local knowledge in the Victoria Goldfields and wider region.
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three approved exploration permits covering 946 km2 over a relatively unexplored area in Queensland, Australia.
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), Mercator Gold Australia Pty Limited has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
ECR holds a 90% interest in the Danglay gold project; an advanced exploration project located in a prolific gold and copper mining district in the north of the Philippines, which has a 43-101 compliant resource. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina and can potentially receive up to US$2.7 million in aggregate across all licences.
Link here for results appendix
ECR Minerals #ECR – Potential for Rare Earth Minerals at the Lolworth Range Project, Queensland
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce that investigations into the previous 2022 field season stream geochemistry results of the Lolworth Project, Queensland are showing potential for the presence of rare earth elements within the project area.
ECR Minerals plc has 100% ownership of three exploration tenements (EPM27901, EPM27902 and EPM27903), which covers the Lolworth Range, located 120km west of the famous gold district of Charters Towers. The project is being explored under ECR’s Australian wholly owned subsidiary Lux Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”).
HIGHLIGHTS
- A selected number of pan concentrate stream sediment samples from the 2022 field season are highly anomalous for Rare Earth Elements (REE), including Cesium (Ce), Lanthalum (La) and Yttrium (Y).
- The top ten values include anomaly readings such as (Ce greater than 6000 ppm (0.6%), (La greater than 2760 ppm) and (Y greater than 530 ppm)
- The top anomalous values of Ce, La and Y spatially correlate to a north east trend across the project with some of the best values coinciding with previously mapped intrusive centres.
- The Lolworth Project is showing a diverse range of exploration targets for Gold, Niobium-Tantalum and REE.
- Field work following up these targets is well underway.
CEO Andrew Haythorpe commented: “ECR’s Lolworth project is continuing to exceed our early expectations, and along with Gold, Niobium and Tantalum, the presence of key Rare Earth Elements adds yet another dimension to the scope and diversity of mineralisation in this region.”
“The mounting anecdotal evidence and volume of positive results continues to support the Board’s view that Lolworth could be host to significant Gold, Niobium, Tantalum and REE discoveries. I look forward to reporting the sample results from the latest fieldwork back to the markets as soon as possible”
(Figure 1) Map of the Lolworth Project showing the distribution of Ce, Y and La from pan concentrate sampling to date (May 2023) can be found here:
Figure 1: https://www.ecrminerals.com/images/2023/Fig1_REE_Potential_230524.png
RARE EARTH ELEMENTS
REE’s (Rare Earth Elements) are a group of 17 elements from the periodic table. While they are abundant within the Earth’s crust, discoveries of sufficient concentration of REE’s s to constitute an economically viable deposit are rare, with few currently mined sources in the western world. The most abundant REEs include Cerium (Ce), Neodymium (Nd) and Lanthanum (La). REEs, and these are becoming increasingly sought after as a result of their increased use in ‘green’ related technologies such as batteries, magnets in electrical motors, catalytic convertors and aircraft alloys.
REE RESULTS IN STREAM SAMPLING TO DATE
All pan concentrate stream sampling to date at Lolworth has been analysed using a four-acid digest that is aggressive in digesting most elements. A total of 33 elements including Gold have been analysed since sampling began in mid-2022, and to date ECR has detected Gold, Niobium and Tantalum from within the streams draining the Lolworth Range. Exceptional concentrations of Niobium and Tantalum have been recorded in streams draining a 10km long ridgeline just north of Gorge Creek. Previous announcements regarding these results can be found in ECR’s RNS from February 1 2023 here, and RNS from April 3 2023 here
Although the Company has not specifically analysed all stream samples for REEs, Cesium (Ce), Lanthalum (La) and Yttrium (Y) have been included as part of the 33 elements analysed. Results to date show high values of Ce, La and Y, all of which have been tabulated in Table One below. In summary, ten samples are greater than 0.6% in (Ce), over ten samples are greater than 2760 ppm in (La) and over ten samples are greater than 530 ppm in (Y).
REE CORRELATION BETWEEN NB-TA AND MAPPED INTRUSIVE CENTRES
It is important to note that a number of the high Ce, La and Y results spatially correlate and group together well (see Figure One above). The highest concentrations of these REEs trend in a north-east pattern across the project area, and while the reason for this geochemical trend has yet to be determined, it is hoped that the on-site geological mapping and sampling currently underway in the area will be able to provide some answers. Niobium and Tantalum (Nb-Ta) anomalies highlighted in previous announcements also correlate to some of the best REE results within the same region.
Although the Geological Survey of Queensland previously identified two intrusive areas of interest within the tenements (see Figure One above), the Lolworth Project area has not yet been mapped in detail. While the boundaries of these intrusives and their mineralogy has yet to be established, the Board is greatly encouraged by the fact that the highest concentrations of Niobium and Tantalum (including some of the REEs) are associated with these mapped intrusives. In particular a large intrusive identified by historic aerial mapping located in the extreme south-east of tenement EPM 27903 has been prioritised for exploration by the Board, and a number of sampling campaigns have been planned within this area to identify its potential for Gold, Nb-Ta and REEs.
NEXT STEPS
Pan concentrate stream sampling has been well underway for the last two weeks. Numerous follow-up samples have been taken around and to the north of the 10km Nb-Ta anomalous ridgeline, and these along with a number of additional soil samples scheduled for collection from the best anomalous ridgelines will be submitted for laboratory analysis. ECR’s Technical Director Adam Jones will be on the ground for the next two weeks to map and sample the areas showing the best anomalies to date. The Board look forward to reporting these results back to shareholders in the coming months.
REVIEW OF ANNOUNCEMENT BY QUALIFIED PERSON
This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Technical Director of Exploration at ECR Minerals plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| ECR Minerals plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7929 1010 | |||
| David Tang, Non-Executive Chairman
Andrew Haythorpe, CEO |
||||
| Email: | ||||
| Website: www.ecrminerals.com | ||||
| WH Ireland Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 | |||
| Nominated Adviser
Katy Mitchell / Andrew de Andrade |
||||
| SI Capital Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 | |||
| Broker | ||||
| Nick Emerson | ||||
| Novum Securities Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7399 9425 | |||
| Broker
Jon Belliss |
||||
| Brand Communications | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green | ||||
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has six licence applications outstanding which includes one licence application lodged in eastern Victoria. (Tambo gold project). MGA is currently drilling at the Bailieston Blue Moon Project (EL5433) and undertaking geochemical exploration on the Creswick (EL6148) project and has an experienced exploration team with significant local knowledge in the Victoria Goldfields and wider region.
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three approved exploration permits covering 946 km2 over a relatively unexplored area in Queensland, Australia.
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), Mercator Gold Australia Pty Limited has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
ECR holds a 90% interest in the Danglay gold project; an advanced exploration project located in a prolific gold and copper mining district in the north of the Philippines, which has a 43-101 compliant resource. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina and can potentially receive up to US$2.7 million in aggregate across all licences
Alan Green discusses Rare Earths Elements, and the investment case for Altona Rare Earths #ANR on the Stockbox Research podcast
Alan Green discusses Rare Earths Elements, and the investment case for Altona Rare Earths #ANR on the Stockbox Research podcast
Kavango Resources #KAV – Ditau Project update – drill targets identified
Kavango Resources plc (LSE:KAV), the exploration company targeting the discovery of world-class mineral deposits in Botswana, is pleased to announce an update on the Company’s Ditau Project (“Ditau”), searching for Rare Earth Elements (“REEs”).
Ditau is held in a 50/50 Joint Venture with Power Metal Resources plc (LSE:POW) (“Power Metal”). Kavango is the operator.
Highlights
Ø Geophysical and geochemical surveys completed on 12 targets areas
Ø 7 specific drill targets identified
– Each target includes a possible carbonatite intrusive body lying within range of reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling
– All targets within 300m depth
– 3 of the 7 targets classified as “high priority”
Ø Target I1 is a large, intense magnetic dipole
– Spans 17km by 8km
– Shallow depth to source of less than 100m
– Kavango believes I1 sits just under the Kalahari sands
– Lies at an intersection of two major regional fault zones
– Anomalous niobium values identified. Niobium is used in various superconducting materials and industrial alloys
Ø Target I4
– Spans 7.5km by 5km
– Shallow depth to source of less than 100m
Ø Target I10
– Spans 2.5km by 2.8km
– High AMT resistivity, coincidental with a gravity high
Ø Data processing and interpretation in progress for final drill readiness
Ø Environmental Management Plan in place
Ben Turney, Chief Executive Officer of Kavango Resources, commented:
“While our primary focus has been on developing our interests in the KSZ and KCB, we have been much encouraged by the number of drillable intrusive targets identified at Ditau. Most of these appear to be post Karoo in age and lying at a shallow depth beneath Kalahari sand cover.
It is particularly encouraging to have identified seven drill-ready targets, with three of those being classified as high priority. Carbonatite hosted deposits of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) hold significant strategic and commercial value. Kavango’s targets are relatively shallow, which should make it straightforward to determine this project’s potential
We look forward to revisiting Ditau later this year, once we’ve completed our other high-impact drill campaigns.”
Exploration at Ditau
Kavango has identified 12 ring structures within the two prospecting licences making up the Ditau Project.
Falconbridge Explorations Ltd identified a similar large ring structure (KW2), located 23km to the north of Ditau, in the 1970s. On drilling KW2, anomalous values of niobium were detected in carbonatite rock (REEs were not assayed for at the time). Niobium is used in various superconducting materials and industrial alloys.
KW2 is thought to be part of a “cluster” of post-Karoo, carbonatites in the Kang area, of which Ditau is a part.
There is increasing evidence that at least some of the ring structures at Ditau contain carbonatite. An integrated exploration programme of surveys is being undertaken over the 12 ring structures (targets).
Each target is undergoing the following assessments/surveys:
SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY: 3 lines of soil geochemical sampling with specific attention to values of Niobium and REEs
CSAMT & AMT SURVEYING: To “map” the lithological contacts to determine conductivity and resistivity. The CSAMT survey was carried out using Geometrics’ Stratagem EH4 unit, which measures ground electromagnetic signals and calculates ground resistivity down to depths of 1km.
Most targets were surveyed using the low-frequency version of the Stratagem without a transmitter (AMT), which sees down to 1.6km. Readings were taken at 50m station intervals along a profile.
GROUND MAGNETIC SURVEYING: The Earth is like a giant magnet due to ferromagnesian minerals in its core. Locally, various rocks have different magnetic properties due to variable magnetic mineral content. Carbonatites usually produce magnetic “high” anomalies compared to their host rocks.
The G856AX proton precession magnetometer was used in the ground magnetic surveys. One G-856AX was used as a “base station” magnetometer taking readings at 30-second intervals and the other as a hand-carried instrument with a simple, push button operation. Readings were taken at 12.5m intervals along profiles.
GRAVITY SURVEYING: Carbonatites usually have higher density than their host rocks.
Gravimeters are generally used to measure relative gravity, of which there is a wide variety. The most modern gravimeters are Autograv, which include significant improvements compared to the old spring based systems.
An Autograv CG-3 gravimeter was used in the survey on Target I10. Readings were taken every 50m with a local base station visited 3 times a day. The Autograv obtains a reading by continuously averaging a series of one-second samples.
DATA INTERPRETATION: The Company’s approach to this involves “layering” survey data sets on geological and structural maps, to produce drill targets.
Results
Ø Interpretation of the results from the first 7 ring structure drill targets has identified 3 priority targets which demonstrate good potential to host to carbonatite (I1, I4 and I10).
– I1 is a large, intense magnetic dipole that spans 17km by 8km and has a shallow depth to source of less than 100m. I1 lies at an intersection of two major regional fault zones.
– I4 spans 7.5km by 5km and has a shallow depth to source of less than 100m.
– I10 spans 2.5km by 2.8km and exhibits high AMT resistivity, coincidental with a gravity high.
Ø These targets appear to sub-outcrop just below the Kalahari sand cover (c.70m), within easy reach of RC drilling within 300m of service.
Ø Anomalous niobium values have been detected on one of these targets (Target I1).
Plans for further Work
Ø Further surveys will be completed on the remaining 3 ring structure targets.
Ø It is proposed to drill the 3 top priority targets before the end of the year. The Environmental Management Plan is in place.
Ø Samples from the drilling will be assayed for whole rock geochemistry and REEs.
The POW/KAV Joint Venture
The Ditau PLs are held in the name of Kavango and are subject to a JV Agreement in which each company holds a 50% interest via Kanye Resources plc. Exploration costs are equally shared. Kavango is the operator. Application has been made to transfer the PLs into a recently established Botswana JV company, Kanye Resources (Pty) Ltd. There are plans to IPO Kanye Resources plc on a recognised stock exchange.
Further information in respect of the Company and its business interests is provided on the Company’s website at www.kavangoresources.com and on Twitter at #KAV.
For further information please contact:
Kavango Resources plc
Ben Turney
First Equity (Joint Broker)
+44 207 374 2212
Jason Robertson
SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker)
+44 1483 413500
Nick Emerson
Kavango Competent Person Statement
The technical information contained in this announcement has been read and approved by Mr Mike Moles (BSc (Geology) & BSocSci (African Studies), who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (MAusIMM) and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Moles is a beneficial shareholder of Kavango Resources plc.
NOTES TO EDITORS
THE DITAU PROJECT
The Ditau Project comprises two prospecting licences (“PLs”) (PL169/2012 & PL010/2019) that cover an area of 1,386km2. Geophysical and geochemical analyses by Kavango in the two PLs have identified 12 “ring structures”.
The “ring structures” have the potential to host carbonatite rocks.
Carbonatites are the principal source of rare earth elements (REEs) including the much sought-after elements Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), which are used in the manufacture of the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs), magnets and other high-tech applications. Other elements/minerals associated with carbonatites include Niobium, Phosphates, Monazite, Strontium, Magnetite and even Copper.