Green Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX:GCM) has confirmed extensive outcropping graphite mineralisation during a rock chip sampling program at exploration targets of the flagship McIntosh Graphite Project in Western Australia.
The program used electromagnetics as a targeting tool with outcropping graphite mineralisation confirmed at each target, with extensions to the strike lengths outside of the exploration targets being confirmed at Trevally, Marlin West and Threadfin.
Notable rock chip samples greater than the headline resource at McIntosh include:
- Marlin West - 5.73%, 4.96% and 4.98% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC);
- Threadfin - 6.76%, 5.3%, and 4.39% TGC;
- Trevally - 4.94%, 3.32% and 3.08% TGC; and
- Cobia - 6.65%, 4.72% and 4.52% TGC.
The rock chip sampling field trip has been positive with areas for high-priority drilling identified and outcropping graphite up to 21 metres in width being confirmed at Marlin West at the Southern and Northern anomalies.
Moving forward, selected samples have been submitted for petrographic analysis to determine indicative flake size distribution at each prospect and this will allow the company to finalise the ranking and prioritisation of targets for drill testing.
Field mapping and sampling
GCM undertook a 10-day mapping and sampling program in September, with the support of Apex Geoscience.
Field mapping focused on areas of high electromagnetic (EM) response that had not been previously investigated, drilled or rock chip sampled.
The EM highs are a critical exploration tool as the graphitic mineralisation is highly conductive and presents itself with this tenor of response which was further confirmed by the presence of outcropping graphite at seven of the nine locations.
Forward plan
With the preliminary field mapping and sampling program complete, the following works are underway as a matter of priority for GCM to advance the McIntosh Graphite Project:
- Review the results of the pending petrographical analysis to determine the flake size of outcropping graphite mineralisation at the various target areas.
- Rank and prioritise the exploration targets based on findings from the mapping and sampling program;
- Plan drill programs to test the exploration targets; and
- Submit heritage survey requests for priority targets to commence the process to get on the ground for follow-up drill testing in April.