Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX: WMG) has progressed on the first pass mineral characterization on diamond drill core samples from its Mulga Tank Ni-Cu-PGE Project, on the Minigwal Greenstone Belt, in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.
The company expects the results to reduce the environmental impact of future mining activities at the project.
WMG managing director, Caedmon Marriott, said, “Our technical director Dr Ben Grguric continues to lead and investigate further studies to enhance our understanding of the Mulga Tank Complex. This reconnaissance mineralogical work opens an interesting angle in the significant carbon capture potential of the project, greatly enhancing the green credentials and also the potential economics of the project. This and other technical studies will continue in parallel with our ongoing field exploration activities.”
Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis has been completed on a series of reconnaissance samples taken from Mulga Tank drill core. The mineral brucite, as well as hydrotalcite group minerals were identified.
These minerals are involved in the passive sequestration of atmospheric CO2 in mine tailings at several properties globally, and in particular, tailings from the giant, dunite-hosted Mt Keith nickel deposit, Western Australia.
WMG has said that the results show that the minerology of Mulga Tank Utlramafic Complex contains critical components which could partially, or entirely, mitigate the level of atmospheric CO2 generated in future mining activities.
Additionally, the presence of brucite and hydrotalcite group minerals is likely to enhance the project’s green credentials by producing net zero carbon nickel and establish a carbon credit by-product revenue stream.
In the near-term, the company will continue with mineral characterization work to obtain a better understanding of the Mulga Tank Ultramafic Complex, whilst advancing the ongoing exploration drill programme.
To find out more, please visit www.westernmines.com.au
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