Rock chip sampling has Resolution pencilling in more activity at its Carrara Range project. Pic: Getty Images.
Up to 41% manganese rock chips outline rich potential of Resolution’s Carrara Range project
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- Rock chips have returned high-grade manganese of up to 41% from the Carrara Range project
- Geoscience Australia exploration previously returned a 49.8% manganese rock chip to the north
- Upcoming work to define likely extent of massive manganese at depth and along strike undercover
Resolution’s expertise in generative exploration has been validated after rock chip sampling return multiple high grade manganese assays topping up at 41% from the Carrara Range project in the Northern Territory.
Carrara Range is on the southern portion of the underexplored South Nicholson Basin within the McNamara Group, which is the host sequence for the open cut Century mine in northern Queensland, once one of the largest zinc mines in the world.
Resolution Minerals (ASX:RML) was drawn to this area, prospective for sediment-hosted base metals, manganese and iron ore, after a high-grade manganese occurrence was identified by Geoscience Australia within the Carrara Range.
Under the Exploring for the Future, Geoscience Australia identified a rock chip from the Plain Creek Formation immediately north of the company’s granted acreage that returned an impressive assay of 49.8% manganese oxide.
Based on satellite imagery, this manganese occurrence is associated with a 20m wide, laterally extensive outcrop that is several hundreds of metres long with an unknown depth extent.
Additionally, numerous 1mm to 5mm wide zone ‘feeder’ veinlets are evident in the host rock immediately surrounding the occurrence which is interpreted to be an epigenetic replacement stratiform body.
This manganese occurrence is spatially associated with the Wild Cow Fault, positioned within the fault system’s hanging wall.
The Northern Territory is also no stranger to manganese deposits such as OM Holdings Bootu Creek project, which has a resource of 6.86Mt grading 13% manganese.
Location of both Resolution’s and historical Geoscience Australia rock chips. Pic: Supplied (RML).
Rock chips confirm prospectivity
Resolution’s helicopter-supported reconnaissance rock chip sampling has now confirmed that Carrara Range has the potential to host the same kind of manganese potential hinted at by the Geoscience Australia program.
Importantly, the grades returned from the sampling to assess the Plain Creek Formation in the hanging wall of the Wild Cow Fault system were greater than those encountered in profitable manganese operations across Australia including Bootu Creek.
The company plans to carry out an infill work program to further define the manganese occurrences in October-November.
It will complete detailed surface geochemical sampling and a micro gravity survey to define the likely extent of massive manganese at depth and along strike undercover.
Additionally, mineralogy studies will be completed over the wet season (January-March) with potential drill testing in the dry season 2024.
This article was developed in collaboration with Resolution 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.
