Moho’s search for rare earths at its Peak Charles project has a new target to consider after an airborne geophysical survey identified a discrete radiometric anomaly.

The anomaly, which is located within the Gimli clay-hosted REE prospect, has elevated responses in potassium, uranium and thorium – a potential candidate for the reflection of a carbonatite intrusion.

For Moho Resources (ASX:MOH), the new anomaly is significant as carbonatites may contain naturally elevated levels of REE.

“Moho is very excited by the possibilities that the Gimli prospect is beginning to reveal, with the radiometric anomaly potentially being indicative of a carbonatite intrusion,” managing director Ralph Winter said.

“Carbonatites could host elevated REE levels which would open the door for both hard rock hosted REE as well clay hosted REE mineralisation at the Peak Charles project.”

Given this increased potential, the company has lodged an exploration licence application to expand the ground holding around the radiometric anomaly to the north and west.

A Program of Works has been submitted for a 33-hole reconnaissance drilling program within road reserves at the Gimli prospect.

Airborne geophysical surveys

Airborne surveys were carried out to provide important detailed aeromagnetic, radiometric and SRTM – Digital Elevation Model data which will be used in conjunction with drilling and assay data to refine geophysical and geochemical targets for future exploration programs.

This survey consisted of 10,339 line-kilometres of gradiometer magnetics and radiometric surveying at 100m line spacing, which improves on existing aeromagnetic data undertaken at a 400m line spacing.

The identified anomaly consists of a narrow, linear radiometric three element high striking north-northwest to south-southeast with several linear features with elevated uranium and thorium.

These linear features coincide with subtle topographic highs visible on processed digital elevation models and are not magnetic which makes it unlikely that they derive from mafic dykes.

Additionally, a brown ironstone staining halo is visible around the radiometric anomaly on the Google Earth satellite image, which might be the result of the weathering of iron rich carbonates contained in a carbonatite.

Carbonatites have the highest known concentration of REEs in any igneous rock, making them an attractive mining target.

Upcoming activity

The planned aircore drill program is designed to further understand the geological character of the prospect area, and to test for clay-hosted REE mineralisation above the hard rock basement.

This will be carried out along road reserves and existing tracks at a 400m hole spacing and drilled to refusal at the base of the clay basin.

Phase 2 reconnaissance drilling at the Top Block and Rolland East prospects is also expected to start in early June.

Other work that Moho will carry out include geochemical surface sampling over the radiometric anomaly, metallurgical testwork to determine TREO extraction efficiency and rates from the clays, and further geophysical interpretation of the airborne magnetics to outline the granite basement topography to assist with the ionic clay basin target modelling.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Moho Resources, 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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