Arafura Resources Limited (ASX: ARU) says that initial assay results from the recent drilling programme at its 100 per cent-owned Nolans Bore Neodymium- Praseodymium (NdPr) deposit in the Northern Territory have produced results that met expectations.
Highlights included an interval of 43.62 metres @ 6.0% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and 28% Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5) from 19 metres.
Managing Director Gavin Lockyer said the drilling and associated metallurgical programme were highlighted in the use of funds from the recently completed fully underwritten $23.2 million entitlement offer.
Mr Lockyer said the primary objective of these programmes is to increase the mine life of the Nolans Project beyond 23 years.
Phase 1 of the drilling programme targeted shallow Indicated Resources and material types in the Southeast Zone of the deposit, primarily modelled and estimated using data from previous reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaigns.
A total of five shallow infill resource definition core holes were drilled across the Southeast Zone in this phase to confirm detailed geological and material type information which will ultimately be used to refine resource modelling and better inform mine planning.
Representative core samples of mineralised material types 5A1 and 5A2 were also selected from the first three holes drilled in Phase 1 for flotation variability test work.
Assay results have been received from the first two core holes from Phase 1. All drill samples, including those from four deep exploration holes drilled as Phase 2 of the programme have been submitted for assay. Assay jobs are in progress with final assays expected from all remaining holes during Q1 CY2020.
