Mauretania Centralised Mill Locked In
Emmerson Resources (ASX:ERM) has identified further extensions to the ironstones that host high-grade gold and copper in its Mauretania permits with a new ultra-high resolution (UHR) drone magnetic survey.
Managing Director, Rob Bills, said the 10,000 sq. km UHR drone magnetic survey is now 80% complete, with highly successful “proof of concept” in delineating the known Mauretania project magnetic anomaly
“This drill programme at Mauretania was aimed at closing off the mineralisation outside of the conceptual open pit boundary,” Mr Bills said.
“However, exciting results from the new drone survey and first high-grade intersection into the primary gold mineralisation now expands the potential for further extensions to both the oxide and primary gold zones.
“The next phase at Mauretania includes undertaking further studies ahead of mining including a JORC resource estimate. The proof-of-concept drone survey over Mauretania provides confidence in identifying similar subtle magnetic anomalies within the Tennant Creek Mineral Field that have been overlooked or not present in the lower resolution, fixed wing surveys.
“Our Joint Venture partner, TCMG, is fully funding the advanced mining studies at Mauretania as part of the $5.5m earn-in and Small Mines Joint Venture over the Northern Project Area at Tennant Creek.
“The recent purchase of a CIL mill by TCMG will accelerate the establishment of a central milling facility in Tennant Creek – unlocking multiple stranded gold assets in the region and when in production, Emmerson’s free carried 6% gold production royalty.”
Mauretania Drilling
Testing for extensions to bonanza oxide gold mineralisation Mauretania is located within the Northern Project Area (NPA) of the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (TCMF), where drilling was focused on testing for extensions to the shallow gold oxide zone outside of the conceptual open pit boundary.
To support the mine planning process, three geotechnical drill holes were also completed, with one intersecting ironstone with results of: 3.6m at 1.14g/t gold from 43.5m.
The highlight of this programme however was the intersection in drill hole MTTD010 of 3.95m at 57g/t gold, which in conjunction with the new drone magnetic anomaly to the northeast, bodes well for expanding the Mauretania mineralisation.
This primary gold mineralisation occurs approximately 100m below the conceptual pit floor, but within the footwall of a massive hematite +/- magnetite ironstone. With the gold occurring in late stringers associated with hematite, on the footwall of a 7m wide zone of brecciation and intense chlorite alteration.
The association of gold with hematite that postdate the early magnetite ironstones underpins our exploration model and has been the hallmark of other Emmerson discoveries at Goanna, Monitor and Edna Beryl. Emmerson and TCMG drive aggressive gold exploration in the Tennant Creek Mineral Field
The Emmerson Strategic Alliance at Tennant Creek with Tennant Consolidated Mining Group (TCMG) includes the following: • A$10.5m Exploration Earn-in and JV (EEJV) across both the Northern Project (NPA) and Southern Project (SPA) areas
• Small Mines JV (SMJV) with a free carried 6% gold gross revenue royalty for production from Small Mines (250,000oz gold equivalent); and
• Establishment of a central gold processing mill in Tennant Creek. TCMG’s purchase of a 700ktpa CIL process plant that includes a recently overhauled crushing and grinding circuit plus a Nelson Gravity Concentrator, will accelerate the timeline to commissioning and first gold production.
The dismantling, transportation and repositioning of the mill remains contingent on permitting, stakeholder engagement and establishment of infrastructure at TCMG’s preferred location at their Nobles Nob gold tailings project
Next Steps
Emmerson is advancing Tennant Creek on two major fronts:
• Mining Economic Assessments: Undertaking advanced scoping studies on existing projects such as Mauretania, Chariot, Malbec West and Black Snake under the JV with TCMG – where it is anticipated that some will advance to JORC compliant resource estimates in late 2021.
These projects will provide feed for TCMG’s mill, plus support a “see through valuation” of the emerging Emmerson royalty business. Noting that under the SMJV, the costs associated with this phase of work are covered 100% by TCMG.
• Accelerated Exploration: drilling is to recommence in October (subject to the constraints COVID and securing a drill rig) on Emmerson’s 100% owned Tennant Creek Projects of Edna Beryl and Hermitage. The planned Jasper Hills drilling, which will be conducted under the terms of the landmark Joint Venture agreement with the Marntula Corporation, remains subject to approval from the Aboriginal Area Protection Authority.
For further information please visit: https://www.emmersonresources.com.au/
