TSXV-listed Namibia Rare Earths has received further positive results from the analysis of 3 710 archived soil samples on the Kunene cobalt-copper project in northern Namibia.
These results augment previously announced results in March 2018 over the western half of the project area, which supported kilometer-scale cobalt anomalies identified from a historic regional geochemical survey.
These additional results support similar large-scale cobalt anomalies in the eastern half of the project area.
The project area comprises a mixture of rugged and covered terrain and a detailed combined electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic airborne survey is being planned to assist in drill target prioritisation.
Exploration at a glance
Namibia Rare Earths is conducting systematic exploration over an area of 2 142 km2west of the newly discovered stratabound Co-Cu discovery of ASX-listed Celsius Resources at Opuwo.
Three target areas for cobalt were defined on the Namibia Rare Earths ground within a 670 km2 portion of the project area, based on results from soil geochemical surveys by previous workers exploring for copper in 2014 at a regional-scale sample spacing of 1 km.
Samples from those surveys were analysed by ICP, which is an acceptable analytical method for cobalt. Subsequent, more detailed sampling along selected lines at a spacing of 100 m used handheld XRF data, which provided reliable data for copper and other metals but was not reliable for cobalt.
Nambia Rare Earths is therefore systematically re-analysing this archived database of over 12 000 soil samples to obtain reliable data on cobalt.
The regional anomalies are being supported by these repeat analyses of archived samples using ICP analytical methods for cobalt.
Recommended airborne electromagnetic survey
Mineralisation at Kunene is widespread and variable in style, occurring in discrete sedimentary horizons such as the Dolostone Ore Formation (DOF) where Co-Cu is associated with disseminations and veinlets of sulphide minerals, orogenic copper, and stratabound Zn-Pb mineralisation.
Many of the occurrences in the eastern half are spatially related to what has been interpreted as a large hydrothermal centre termed the Steilrand hydrothermal system.
Given the frequent association of Co-Cu and Pb-Zn mineralisation with sulphides, the prolific number of cobalt anomalies, and kilometric scale trends it has been recommended that a helicopter time domain electromagnetic (EM) survey be flown at a flight line spacing of 200 m across the entire belt covering the Western Targets, the Steilrand lineament, the Okanihova lineament and the Steilrand hydrothermal system.
The objectives of the airborne EM survey will be to refine geological and structural mapping, to delineate conductive sedimentary horizons, to isolate conductive bodies that may be indicative of near surface mineral deposits, and to detect sulphide deposits and stockworks at depth.
The company is currently evaluating available EM systems and scheduling options while field teams continue to conduct geological mapping and rock sampling over the anomalous areas.
Source: Mining Review Africa
