TIDMEEE
RNS Number : 1756X
Empire Metals Limited
19 December 2023
Empire Metals Limited / LON : EEE / Sector: Natural
Resources
19 December 2023
Empire Metals Limited
('Empire ' or the 'Company')
Interim Drill Results Identify Additional Shallow High-Grade
Bedded Titanium Mineralisation
Mineralogical Assessment now Underway
Empire Metals Limited (LON: EEE), the AIM-quoted resource
exploration and development company, is pleased to announce the
analytical lab results from an initial five of 40 Reverse
Circulation ('RC') drillholes at the Pitfield Project in Western
Australia ('Pitfield' or the 'Project'), which has identified
additional shallow high-grade bedded TiO(2) mineralisation.
Mineralogical studies have now commenced with the Company engaging
both the Australian Federal Government's Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Organisation ("CSIRO') and a leading,
private industry, scientific research provider, AXT Pty Ltd
('AXT'), to carry out a detailed assessment of rock chip samples
collected from drilling.
Highlights
-- The planned follow-up 40 RC drillhole programme has now been
completed, with initial analytical lab results received for the
first five drillholes.
-- Results have identified a new shallow zone of bedded higher
grade TiO(2) mineralisation in addition to extending the overall
broad footprint of significant TiO(2) mineralisation and providing
more information on the geological controls on grade.
-- RC23COS004 intersected a shallow up-dip interval of higher
grade bedded mineralisation that returned results of 154m @ 5.51%
TiO(2) from surface, including 6.28% TiO(2) across the first
48m.
-- Results indicate that it is the sandstone beds that host the
higher grade TiO(2) values within the bedded sedimentary succession
of sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates. Future exploration
will focus on identifying and delineating extensive, thick
sandstone-rich beds in future drilling programmes.
-- Further promising results are expected from the remaining RC
drillholes, many of which were focused on evaluating the length of
the coincident regional magnetics-gravity anomaly which represents
the core of the giant mineral system.
-- CSIRO has been engaged to conduct an Electron Probe
Microanalysis (EPMA) on RC drillhole rock chip samples ("RC
chips"), with the objective of identifying the mineral assemblage
within the rocks and, in particular, the nature and distribution of
titanium bearing minerals.
-- AXT Pty Ltd (AXT) has been engaged to conduct mineralogical
tests including TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TEMA) and
state-of-the-art Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
imaging on RC chips to determine mineralogical composition of the
host rock and then map out the mineralogical residence of titanium
within the host rock.
Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: "These exceptional drill
results provide further evidence of the massive 40km long surface
footprint of bedded titanium-rich mineralisation. These interim
results also confirm that higher grade bedded zones of
mineralisation can be traced from surface geochemical sampling
anomalies which verifies our targeting approach towards identifying
and delineating the higher-grade parts of this giant titanium-rich
mineral system. We eagerly await the results from the remaining RC
drillholes, which we expect will provide further confirmation of
near-surface, high-grade mineralisation.
"The engagement of leading scientists from both the CSIRO and
AXT represents yet another significant milestone in the technical
development and understanding of this globally significant titanium
discovery. These studies will provide invaluable insight into the
mineralogical make-up of these highly altered, sedimentary host
rocks and, importantly, the mineralogical residence of titanium in
these host rocks."
The Pitfield Project
Empire holds a 70% interest in Pitfield which is comprised of
four granted Exploration Licences (E70/5465, E70/5876, E70/6320 and
E70/6323) covering 1,042km(2) . Pitfield is located near Three
Springs, a town 313km north of Perth, Western Australia on the
Midlands Road, which until the opening of the Brand Highway in 1975
was the main road route from Perth to the state's north (refer
Figure 1).
Figure 1. Pitfield Project Location showing the scale of the
magnetics anomaly and coincident alteration footprint.
RC Drilling Programme - November- December 2023
The planned 40 RC drillhole programme has now been completed for
a combined total of 5,718m, drilled along the length of the
high-density gravity core identified within the regional magnetics
anomaly. Particular focus has been placed on the higher grade
mineralised areas identified through the recent rock chip sampling,
geological mapping and recent diamond drillholes. All of the target
areas were tested, however several holes intersected excess
groundwater and were terminated short of the planned depth as the
holes were collapsing. Despite this, all of these shortened holes
intersected approximately 50m of the targeted TiO(2) enriched
sedimentary rocks.
The results to date from this RC drill programme continue to
further define the scale of this giant, titanium-rich mineral
system, with the first five drill holes identifying new areas of
significant TiO(2) mineralisation as well as confirming a new
shallow zone of high-grade bedded TiO(2) mineralisation (refer
Table 1. Significant Drill Results).
Analytical lab results from the first five holes show TiO(2)
mineralisation throughout the entire hole. All drillholes ended in
TiO(2) mineralisation, which was expected based on the previous
diamond drilling, whereby all three diamond drill holes were
mineralised to 350m below the surface (announced 29 November 2023).
These particular five RC drillholes predominantly intersected
hematite-epidote-carbonate altered sandstone which had also been
observed throughout the diamond drill holes previously drilled.
Several holes also had minor interbeds of conglomerate which was
similarly altered.
Drillhole RC23COS004 intersected higher grade TiO(2)
mineralisation from surface to the bottom of the hole. This hole
encountered predominantly sandstone with minor conglomerate beds.
The top of the hole has a 48m high-grade interval starting from
surface that averaged 6.28% TiO(2) hosted by
hematite-epidote-carbonate altered sandstone . The analytical lab
results indicate that the sandstone is the preferred host for
higher grade TiO(2) mineralisation. The conglomerate is also highly
mineralised, but not quite to the same extent.
The high-grade results from hole RC23COS004 are supported by the
previously reported high-grade rock chip results (announcement 13
November 2023) which were collected nearby to this drill collar
location. The closest rock chip sample was taken only 90m away and
graded 9.44% TiO(2) . The drill results are also backed up by the
historic auger sampling carried out by CRA which highlighted
elevated TiO(2) across this target area. The higher grade bedded
mineralisation intersected in RC23COS004 is similar to that
encountered in previously reported diamond drillhole DD23COS001
(announcement 24 November 2023) located 1km to the east, that
intersected 173.2m @ 5.76% TiO2 from 18.6m including 58.7m @ 6.32%
TiO (2) from 24.0m, indicating that there is an abundance of thick,
strongly mineralised beds that come to surface in this part of the
mineral system.
The Company is currently awaiting the analytical lab results
from the remaining 35 RC drillholes, with results expected early in
the new year.
Figure 2. Grey-scale magnetics map overlain by airborne gravity
survey results showing current RC drillhole locations, previous
diamond core drillholes and maiden RC drillholes.
Significant Drill Results
Hole ID Depth Depth EOH (m) Interval Grade
From (m) To (m) (m) (TiO(2)
%)
RC23COS002 6 96 96 90 4.02
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
inc. 6 34 28 4.31
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
RC23COS003 10 70 70 60 3.97
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
RC23COS004 0 154 154 154 5.51
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
inc. 0 48 48 6.28
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
RC23KAD001 0 148 148 148 3.40
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
RC23KAD002 0 148 148 148 3.28
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
inc. 4 44 40 3.96
---------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Table 1. Significant Intercepts from RC Drilling
Initiation of Detailed Mineralogical Studies
Mineralogical studies have now commenced with the Company
engaging both the CSIRO and AXT, to carry out a detailed studies of
rock chip samples collected from drilling.
The CSIRO has been engaged to conduct an Electron Probe
Microanalysis (EPMA) on RC chips, aimed at identifying the mineral
assemblage within the rocks and, in particular, the nature and
distribution of titanium bearing minerals. EPMA, one of several
particle-beam techniques, is an analytical technique that is used
to establish the composition of minerals within small areas on rock
specimens.
The CSIRO is an Australian Government statutory authority
constituted and operating under the provisions of the Science and
Industry Research Act 1949. CSIRO's primary functions under the Act
are to carry out scientific research to benefit Australian industry
and the community, and to contribute to the achievement of national
objectives. The CSIRO has extensive experience in assessing
minerology of unique ore as well as related ore process
development.
AXT Pty Ltd (AXT) has been engaged to conduct mineralogical
tests including TESCAN Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TEMA) and
state-of-the-art Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
imaging on RC chips to determine mineralogical composition of the
host rock and then map out the mineralogical residence of titanium
within the host rock.
The Company expects results from this programme to provide a
better understanding of the mineral assemblage that compose the
host rock, including the specific minerals present and their
relative abundances. An understanding of the mineral assemblage
will provide important information towards establishing the
dominant minerals, and especially the titanium-hosting minerals,
which is critical to identifying potential ore processing options
towards the economic assessment of this giant mineral system.
Future Work
In addition to the 40 RC drillholes completed November-December
2023, a third RC drill programme is scheduled to start in February
2024, consisting of an additional 40 drillholes for approximately
6,000m, which will further test those areas identified as
potentially having higher grade, near-surface TiO(2)
mineralisation.
It is additionally planned to continue the mineralogical studies
that have been initiated towards defining representative host
mineral assemblages, with results expected to provide important
information towards economic assessment and to accelerate the
development of the Pitfield Project.
Competent Person Statement
The technical information in this report that relates to the
Pitfield Project has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an
employee of Eclipse Exploration Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the Australian Institute of
Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Faragher has sufficient experience that
is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit
under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify
as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the
'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Faragher consents to the inclusion
in this release of the matters based on his information in the form
and context in which it appears.
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
Certain information contained in this announcement would have
been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until the release of this
announcement.
**ENDS**
For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk or contact:
Empire Metals Ltd
Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel Tel: 020 4583 1440
S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP Tel: 020 3470 0470
(Nomad & Broker)
Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl
---------------------
Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Tel: 020 7186 9950
Broker)
Damon Heath
---------------------
St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial Tel: 020 7236 1177
PR)
Susie Geliher / Ana Ribeiro
---------------------
About Empire Metals Limited
Empire Metals is an AIM-listed (LON: EEE) exploration and
resource development company with a project portfolio comprising
copper, titanium and gold interests in Australia and Austria.
The Company's strategy is to develop a pipeline of projects at
different stages in the development curve. Its current focus is on
the Pitfield Project in Western Australia, which has demonstrated
to contain a newly recognised giant mineral system that hosts a
globally significant titanium discovery. The Company is also
advancing the Eclipse-Gindalbie Project in Western Australia, which
is prospective for high-grade gold and also kaolin used to produce
high-purity alumina, an essential component in lithium-ion
batteries.
The Company also has two further exploration projects in
Australia; the Walton Project in Western Australia, and the Stavely
Project in the Stavely Arc region of Victoria, in addition to three
precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold
producing region of Austria.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms
and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information
contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an
anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services.
For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange
use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy
Policy.
END
DRLFLFLVFSLTLIV
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 19, 2023 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
Empire Metals (AQSE:EEE.GB)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Nov 2024 a Dic 2024
Empire Metals (AQSE:EEE.GB)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Dic 2023 a Dic 2024
