Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR) has tabled the first round of results from TIMA scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on diamond core samples from the Lamboo platinum group element (PGE) prospect, part of the wholly-owned Halls Creek Project in the Kimberley.
Analysis was conducted by specialist group Automated Mineralogy Incubator (AMI) at its Bentley laboratory in Perth.
Promisingly, the program has identified the occurrence and mineralogical association for a number of PGEs and gold at the prospect.
This geo-metallurgical work is preliminary in nature but represents the first stage of Pantoro’s systematic approach to characterisation of the platinum group metal material to guide future metallurgical test work programs.
Hunt for PGEs
Half core samples from one of Pantoro's diamond drill holes were submitted to AMI for preliminary mineralogical scanning using the TIMA scanning electron microscope.
All in all, 11 samples of interest were selected.
Scanning comprised a bright phase search, targeting the PGEs at a high resolution.
In addition, Pantoro also conducted a broader scan to establish modal mineral abundance at Lamboo.
However, due to the nature of the sample locations and sizes being selective, the results of this work are considered to be indicative only in terms of the potential suite of PGE minerals.
The PGE’s identified by this work include platinum, palladium, palladium (copper), palladanite (tin-tellurium), irarsite, ruarsite and laurite.
The last three minerals are arsenides of iridium+rhodium and ruthenium, which are other members of the platinum group.
Assaying of these elements — as well as osmium — are being undertaken on a selection of the recent drill samples from the Lamboo drill program.
Most PGE particles identified as part of this work are less than 8 micrometres in size, with the exception of a few palladium particles which reach a top size of 12 micrometres.
Some palladium minerals were found where manganese oxides with chrome and nickel mineralisation were also present.
Other minerals, such as ruarsite and irarsite, were found next to chromites within titanium-rich chlorite laminations.
Additionally gold, monazite, (chromium, nickel) iron oxides, and galena seem to be the predominant phases identified with this tool.
Forward work program
Looking ahead, separate composite samples of both fresh and oxide/transitional material have been prepared for submission to AMI for an advanced mineralogy study, including a bulk mineralogy and deportment study of PGEs and gold.
This work will take place on pulverised samples and involve pre-concentration of the primary samples prior to the TIMA SEM scan.
In addition to this geo-metallurgical work, samples of fresh material have been submitted for petrography, which will form part of the lithological modelling for the Lamboo layered ultramafic.
Oxide/transitional and fresh ore samples have also been submitted for full metal suite assays.
As announced in late November, a drill rig has been secured and drilled unaffected by weather so far.
The rig will continue to drill in advance of the pending wet season.