Aldoro Resources Ltd (ASX:ARN) has completed rock chip sampling at its Wyemandoo Pegmatite Swarm (WPS), Narndee Igneous Complex (NIC) and Quandong Well VHMS (QVM) targets, with all results returning highly anomalous results.
Twenty rock chip samples were collected from three key target rock types - lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, magmatic nickel-copper, and volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) copper-gold - and all will receive follow-up sampling.
Highlights included:
- Wyemandoo LCT pegmatites up to 0.8% rubidium, 0.81% lithium and 219 parts per million (ppm) caesium;
- Nickel-copper gossan sampling up to 0.37% nickel, 0.15% copper, 0.09% cobalt, 27 parts per billion (ppb) platinum and 22 ppb gold; and
- Quandong Well copper-gold gossan sampling returning 1.93 g/t gold and 0.45% copper.
Sampling success
The results from rock chip sampling were described as “highly anomalous” - an anomaly is a zone different from its surroundings, usually determined by exploration methods (check out Proactive’s new mining glossary).
The Wyemandoo LCT pegmatites trend to the northeast and can strike over 1,000 metres in length, varying from one metre to 20 metres in outcrop width with shallow to moderate dips, typically 30 to 60 degrees.
Rock ship sample results have now confirmed the central pegmatite contains high-grade rubidium and highly anomalous lithium which warrant follow-up drill investigation.
At Narndee Igneous Complex, where gossan sampling took place, results included returns of 0.16% copper and 921 ppm nickel, 187 ppm copper and 470 ppm nickel, and 0.16% nickel, 27 ppb platinum and 81 ppm copper.
The Quandong Well area, which was previously explored by BHP subsidiary Dampier Mining Co Ltd in the early 1970s, returned results of 1.93 g/t gold and 0.45% copper.
Next steps
“We plan to complete systematic rock chip and soils sampling programs and detailed mapping over WPS,” the company said.
“This will identify the most prospective zones for drill targeting and locate pegmatite strike extensions and occurrences under soil cover.
“Field reconnaissance and field mapping will continue to locate and assess all prospective areas of the tenement package for LCT pegmatites, nickel gossans, and copper-gold gossans.
It will also undertake further systematic soil and rock chip sampling programs to boost the overall dataset.
- Daniel Paproth