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Mining
Norwest Minerals identifies a large, 6km by 2km lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite, just days after uncovering a significant rare earth element anomaly a proverbial stone’s throw away.
These discoveries come from the ongoing analysis of 6,550 multi-element soil samples covering the 840km² Arunta West project on the WA/NT border.
“The analysis work by our consulting geochemist continues to prove fruitful with the identification of this large LCT pegmatite anomaly which follows on the back of this week’s rare earth REE anomaly announcement,” Norwest Minerals (ASX:NWM) CEO Charles Schaus says.
“The occurrence of the elevated and coincident lithium, tantalum and niobium samples along a greenstone-granite contact makes for very exciting follow-up exploration of this LCT pegmatite target.
“Norwest is submitting a follow-up work program this week to ensure the rapid mobilization of our field crew to site.”
Follow-up exploration of the new LCT pegmatite anomaly will include mapping, rock chip sampling, as well as infill soil sampling on a 200m x 200m diagonal pattern.
A works programme is being submitted this week in line with the Land Access Agreement with the traditional owners to ensure follow-up exploration work commences as soon as possible.
On Monday Norwest announced soil sample analysis had returned a strong, 3km-long, rare-earth element (REE) anomaly associated with copper-gold and base metals.
It shows similarities to the high-grade Dazzler and Iceman REE deposits at Northern Minerals’ (ASX:NTU) Browns Range project.
“Interestingly, the REE anomaly has cerium and lanthanum grades almost twice the tenor of those grades first used to identify the high-grade Dazzler and Iceman prospects at the Browns Range REE operation,” Schaus says.
The company says the presence of elevated copper-gold and base metals at the margin of the ‘REE lows’ also show potential for an Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and/or base metals system.
Norwest says interest in the mineral resource potential of the Arunta belt is increasing, with Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO) Exploration arm taking a very large ground position in the area.
The Rio controlled tenements now share ~50km of tenement borders with the company’s Arunta West tenements.
Then there’s Independence Group (ASX:IGO) next door, which holds ~15,600km2 of the belt extending over 300km from the WA border into the Northern Territory.
This article was developed in collaboration with Norwest Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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