Arafura Resources Limited (ASX: ARU) final assay results from its 2019 drilling programme at its Nolans Bore Neodymium- Praseodymium (NdPr) deposit in the Northern Territory has confirmed potential for deep rare earths mineralisation.
The nine-hole drilling programme included four deep exploration holes targeting down-dip extensions to Indicated and Inferred Resources in the deposit’s North and Southeast Zones.
Three of the four holes intersected thick zones of rare earths mineralisation up to about 200m vertically below the planned final mining pit presented in the February 2019 Definitive Feasibility Study.
Arafura’s Managing Director Gavin Lockyer said geological/radiometric logging, density (SG) determinations and geochemical analysis of these zones confirm that the mineralised material types and assay grades are consistent with those that constitute the Mineral Resources.
Mr Lockyer said that on this basis, the company considers there to be reasonable potential to increase the Mineral Resources at depth in the North and Southeast Zones. The best intercepts from the three holes were as follows:
- 76 m @ 1.5% TREO and 7% P2O5 from 316.72 m (Southeast Zone)
- 68 m @ 2.8% TREO and 11% P2O5 from 364.37 m (North Zone)
- 15 m @ 1.5% TREO and 6% P2O5 from 422.88m (North Zone).
A total of five shallow infill resource definition core holes were also drilled across the Southeast Zone of the deposit to confirm detailed geological and material type information which will ultimately be used to refine resource modelling and better inform mine planning. The material types and assay results from these holes are consistent with expectations and follow on from previously reported assay and metallurgical data
“The deep drilling results confirm that Nolans Bore is an exceptional orebody in terms of its size, grade consistency and endowment in the magnet-feed rare earths Neodymium and Praseodymium,” Mr Lockyer said.
“It is the foundation of a long-term, reliable and sustainable supply of these critical materials from the Northern Territory.
“In my mind, we have now answered the question on its potential to deliver additional Mineral Resources at depth to support the development of the Nolans Project far into the future.”
