iTech Minerals Ltd (ASX: ITM) has received promising results from a successful 478-hole drill programme completed in April across four prospects on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
The aim of the programme was to test the potential for regolith hosted ion adsorption clay (IAC) REEs and high purity kaolin mineralisation.
The third batch of drill results, from Caralue Bluff, show that significant intersections of REEs occur within the kaolin (clay) rich weathered horizon over larger areas.
Metallurgical work on 60 mineralised samples from Caralue Bluff are currently undergoing leaching test work with results due within the next four weeks.
“This batch of drill results show a significant extension of the REE mineralised clays in the south-east of the Caralue Bluff Prospect, with additional infill results suggesting that the prospect is consistently mineralised over a large area,” Managing Director, Mike Schwarz, said.
Further samples are being prepared for leaching test work as drill results become available.
Caralue Bluff Prospect
The Caralue Prospect was initially established as a high purity kaolin prospect with the identification of thick intervals of bright white kaolin, close to surface, in several historical drill holes.
Having identified significant REEs in the kaolin rich intervals at Ethiopia, Burtons and Bartels Prospects, iTech geologists suspected that Caralue Bluff might also be prospective for regolith hosted REE mineralisation. Initial drill results revealed thick intervals of elevated REE mineralisation over eight km.
The latest results extend this to an area of approximately 10 km x nine km. A total area of 12 km x 12 km was tested by drilling of 260 holes, the results of which will determine the continuity of mineralisation within this already extensive area.
Next Steps
60 samples from Caralue Bluff are currently undergoing metallurgical test work. Samples are being tested for their easily leachable REE component with a straight acid leach at pH 1-2 and then for the ionic component with a leaching solution at pH 4 and 0.5M ammonium sulphate.
For all potential IAC REE projects, samples are being selected to be representative of the entire range of geological environments within the prospect, not only laterally (east-west and north-south), but also at various levels within the weathering profile (vertically).
For further information please visit: https://www.itechminerals.com.au/
