Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) has confirmed the presence of numerous broad, mineralised pegmatites zones at the King Tamba Critical Metals Project in Western Australia, demonstrating the potential of the tenure.
The company has specifically targeted rubidium in its exploration work, including drilling, although assays have confirmed the presence of caesium, lithium, tantalum and niobium within pegmatites and some metasediment zones.
Results are still pending for 16 completed holes and two partial cores, but best individual results have included 5,580 parts per million (ppm) rubidium, 3,940 ppm lithium, 754 ppm caesium, 229 ppm niobium and 352 ppm tantalum.
Assayed drilling results
The first batch of assays from the King Tamba drilling program reported notable intersections of continuous, thick zones of critical mineral mineralisation, including:
- 36 metres at 1,648 ppm rubidium, 327 ppm lithium, 73 ppm niobium and 50 ppm caesium from 39 metres, with a high-grade 5-metre zone at 3,044 ppm rubidium, 578 ppm lithium and 128 ppm niobium from 66 metres;
- 34 metres at 2,183 ppm rubidium and 178 ppm lithium from 82 metres;
- 21 metres at 1,600 ppm rubidium and 299 ppm lithium from 68 metres;
- 17 metres at 1,370 ppm rubidium and 363 ppm lithium from 70 metres; and,
- 20 metres at 1,097 ppm rubidium from 39 metres including 10 metres at 2,402 ppm rubidium from 26 metres and 8 metres at 1,249 ppm rubidium from 12 metres.
Krakatoa is now investigating the characteristics of the mineralised rock using a combination of X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) analyses and scanning electron microscopy.
The company is awaiting three more batches of assays and intends to complete:
- an airborne LIDAR survey for more accurate topographical data;
- structural geology mapping of the historical pit area and surrounds; and
- geological modelling of the deposit, which is already well advanced.
KTA also intends to generate a maiden resource estimate within weeks of final assay receipt.