Eclipse Metals Ltd (ASX:EPM) has started stage-2 diamond drilling at the Amamoor manganese deposits near Gympie in southeast Queensland.
The drilling program, which is designed to test the width, depth and grade potential of manganese mineralisation proximal to historic high-grade workings, will begin in the Central area of historical mining activity.
This is adjacent to the two best drill holes from the 2018 program - ADD006 and ADD007 - with several holes planned to test extensions along strike and at depth.
Shallow exploration targets
Eclipse has identified shallow exploration targets beneath and adjacent to the historic workings.
The historic Amamoor manganese mine-site has the potential to contain a significant amount of high-grade manganese mineralisation.
Amamoor mine workings were the largest in the district, producing more than 20,000 tonnes of ore at 51% manganese and constitute a brownfields project with potential for readily mineable mineralisation on or near surface.
Based on a Cuban style of mineralisation, the potential resource of manganese mineralisation available at Amamoor also shows similarities to the Woodie Woodie deposit in WA.
Eclipse has identified manganese mineralisation with direct shipping ore (DSO) characteristics through its exploration surveys and first drilling phase in 2018.
Drilling of northern historical workings
Drilling of the Northern historical workings, inaccessible during the earlier program, will follow the Central area with possible drilling around the Southern workings, subject to further ground evaluation.
At the Northern workings, a face of manganese mineralisation some 8 metres high and 25 metres long has been exposed and may represent a substantial body of mineralisation.
The Mary Valley Manganese Project is within logistically favourable location proximal to the Gympie population centre, power, accommodation and transport facilities.