Stelar Metals Ltd (ASX:SLB) has identified high-grade zinc mineralisation across multiple locations during the first field program after listing at the Linda Zinc Project in South Australia.
The company’s portable XRF returned high-grade mineralisation values between 10 and 25% zinc in one outcrop for several metres. Additional high-grade readings were also returned for zinc and lead from several other locations.
Additionally, “zinc-zap” chemical field tests verified the presence of high-grade zinc mineralisation in outcrop.
Encouragingly, Stelar’s field work has also confirmed that the geological setting at Linda is considered highly prospective for economic carbonate-hosted zinc.
Looking ahead, Stelar is planning to restart follow-up mapping, sampling, and geochemical surveys later this month at Linda.
The markets have welcome the news with shares trading as high as 0.25 cents per share, up 25% from previous close.
Prospective for economic carbon-hosted zinc
Commenting on the results, Stelar CEO Colin Skidmore said: “Stelar Metals is very excited about the potential of the Linda Zinc Project after finding high-grade zinc mineralisation with our first field program after listing on the ASX.
“The large magnitude of the zinc soil anomaly defined by Stelar Metals' recent survey at Linda also supports our view that the geological setting at Linda is considered highly prospective for economic carbonate-hosted zinc.
“Stelar Metals anticipates receiving the sample assays from our recent field work in coming weeks and recommencing follow-up surveys, mapping and sampling at Linda later this month ahead of planning our first drill program at Linda later this year.”
CSA Global's fieldwork
In May 2022, Dr Mark Allen from CSA Global, a highly regarded expert in carbonate-hosted zinc mineralising systems, completed a field program and report on the Linda Zinc Project.
CSA’s report confirms the presence of zinc and lead mineralisation as dominantly oxide phases interpreted as the in-situ oxidation of primary sulphide mineralisation.
Importantly, Stelar has identified in the field the location of most of BHP’s historical drill hole collars and recognised, due to their shallow depth and orientation, that these holes had not been adequately tested as the main target of Linda.
CSA's recent fieldwork and report have also confirmed that the geological setting at Linda is considered highly prospective for economic carbonate-hosted zinc.
The study reports that the Linda Project has elements of Irish-type and MVT mineralisation styles and that the geological setting strongly supports the view that the area is prospective for Kipushi-Beltana-type mineralisation.
Carbonate hosted zinc-lead mineralisation is classified by CSA Global into three principal basin related styles:
- Kipushi type: pipe shaped, with cross-cutting mineralisation deposited in diapiric structures – Beltana in the Flinders ranges is a local economic example of this style;
- Irish type: dominantly replacement mineralisation with good continuity and strong stratigraphic control; and
- MVT: dominantly infill mineralisation, where mineralisation is precipitated into host rock porosity or karstic cavities.
Forward plan
Stelar’s recent surface samples from Linda have been submitted to laboratories for multi-element analysis and petrology with results expected in four to eight weeks.
The company has leased a permanent base at Wirrealpa Station and is in the process of employing a dedicated geologist to advance this project.
High-resolution orthoimagery and LiDAR have been acquired to assist with ground mapping and logistics.
Exploration work over the coming months, which will start later this month, will include extensive geological mapping of the prospective limestone stratigraphy on EL 6263 to discern favourable grainstone lithologies, map structures and define the character and extent of mineralised outcrops.
Soil surveys will concurrently be undertaken and extended over the entire region with closed spaced infill over anomalous areas.
This data collection will underpin the design of Stelar Metals’ inaugural drilling program at Linda, scheduled for late 2022.
Furthermore, Stelar Metals is currently negotiating a native title management agreement with the traditional owners and, once this is agreed, will commence heritage clearance surveys and seek drilling approval from the South Australian regulators.