iTech Minerals Ltd (ASX: ITM) has received further drill results from the Caralue Bluff Kaolin Prospect in South Australia which have returned thick high-grade intervals of REE mineralisation in the clay rich weathering profile, consolidating and expanding the area of REE mineralisation
The company completed a 478-hole drill programme in April 2022 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 fourth 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. 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.
The latest results extend and infill the areas of thick, high-grade REEs, particularly in the south-east of the prospect area. 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.
“The Caralue Bluff Prospect continues to deliver thick, high-grade clay hosted REE mineralisation, close to surface, over a large area of more than 10 km by 9 km. With over 100 drill holes still to be reported we hope to see the prospect continue to deliver,” Managing Director, Mike Schwarz, said.
Caralue Bluff Significant Intersections
A further 27 drill holes are reported, of which 12 contained significant intervals of REEs above 350 ppm TREO. A further five holes were not able to penetrate a hard silcrete/ferricrete surface layer and therefore did not test the underlying target horizon. The remaining drill holes did not have significant intervals of REEs above the cut-off grade of 350 ppm.
Of the 260 holes drilled at Caralue Bluff, 157 have now been reported, with results from a further 103 expected before the end of July.
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/
