Launches Geo Programmes Over Nickel-Copper Targets
Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (TSXV:NMI) has launched multiple geophysical surveys to accelerate drill target generation is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities on its 95% owned Grootfontein Project in Namibia.
The Grootfontein Project consists of two large Exclusive Prospecting Licences with a total area of 163,784 ha (1,638 sq. km) and covers ground prospective for orogenic gold, magmatic copper-nickel (-PGE) and carbonate-hosted lead-zinc-silver-copper-vanadium mineralisation.
The company’s accelerated drill target generation programme includes:
- 2,000 line km helicopter-borne EM survey by SkyTEM Denmark;
- Ultra-high resolution UAV-borne magnetic surveys by UAS Flightec Namibia; and
- Ground induced polarisation gradient array survey and IP/magnetotelluric test surveys over the key gold targets by GSG Namibia
Darrin Campbell, Chief Financial Officer and incoming President, said the aim is to have first drill ready targets by end of April.
“We are encouraged by the results from our early-stage exploration activities throughout 2020 and are excited to begin this next phase of exploration on our Namibian gold projects,” Mr Campbell said.
“As one of the largest and longest established exploration companies in Namibia we are well positioned to advance our pipeline of projects.”
The company’s Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs) are prospective for gold and are located in the Central Namibian Gold Belt which hosts a number of significant orogenic gold deposits including the Navachab Gold Mine, the Otjikoto Gold Mine and more recently the discovery of the Twin Hills deposit.
SkyTEM Surveys ApS Denmark was contracted for an EM survey with its SkyTEM312FAST system. A total of more than 2,000 line km at 200 m line spacing are planned over the key structural corridors of the Grootfontein project prospective for gold and base metal mineralisationThe project area comprises a flat terrain completely covered with thick calcrete and Kalahari sands. The combined electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic airborne survey is planned to assist in detailed drill target planning and prioritisation.
Survey Area-1 will cover gold anomalies delineated by systematic soil surveys including the Highland and Gressenhof Targets at the western contact of the Grootfontein Mafic Complex with Meso- and Neoproterozoic metasediments.
The 25 sq. km Highlands Target is situated 2.5 km north of the Grootfontein Shear (Thrust) Zone. Gold anomalies are associated with second order structures over strike lengths up to six km. Survey Area-1 is located 80 km northeast of B2Gold’s Otjikoto Gold Mine (2.8 Moz) similarly positioned to the north of the Grootfontein (Otjohorongo) Shear Zone.
Survey Area-2 will cover the first order structure of the Grootfontein Shear Zone and its corridor of second order structures further to the east and an area directly to the west of the Berg Aukas Mine (2.3 Mt @ 15%Zn+3.9%Pb+0.85%V2O5).
Completion of the EM survey is expected by the first week of May.
Following data interpretation by Namibian and Canadian experts, drill targets will be created by mid-May 2021.
UAV Magnetic surveys
Ultra-high resolution magnetic surveys were completed over two areas of the Grootfontein Project by the Namibian drone survey company UAS Flightec.
The survey data reveal highly detailed magnetic anomalies which are assumed to be partly related to pyrrhotite mineralisation.
Modelling of the data by Earthmaps Consulting Namibia is expected to be completed by end of April, when the first reconnaissance RC drilling campaign is planned to start.
IP Surveys
A first area of ground Induced Polarization (Gradient Array IP) was completed over the Rothof target (Figure 2) by GSG Namibia.
The first data set shows generally only moderate chargeabilities which however clearly mark the Grootfontein Shear Zone and second order structures within the mafic rocks of the Grootfontein Mafic Complex (Figure 3).
Final data interpretation and drill target generation is expected by the second week of April 2021.
