PVW Resources Ltd (ASX:PVW) has identified a new heavy rare earth breccia target at its Tanami Heavy Rare Earth and Gold Project in WA.
Following a combination of mapping and drill results below recent intercepts at Watts Rise, PVW identified a Breccia Zone that is continuous over 1 kilometre.
The geological setting for this new REE mineralisation target is similar to the structurally controlled Northern Minerals Ltd (ASX:NTU) Wolverine deposit at the Browns Range Project (6.44 million tonnes at 0.96% TREO) where mineralisation is hosted in the older rocks below the unconformity.
Note, the Breccia Zone found by PVW is interpreted to intersect the unconformity at depth below the mineralisation intersected in its 2022 drilling program at Watts Rise.
Schematic cross-section showing Breccia Target. Latest assays confirm rare earths and gold potential at the Tanami REE Project.
Value of systematic exploration
Executive director George Bauk said the results highlighted the value of systematic exploration utilising tried and tested methods such as detailed field mapping and structural geology.
“When the field geologists identified this breccia structure, they immediately realised its potential link to the existing mineralisation. At Watts Rise, the Pargee Sandstone may be acting as a ‘cover’ to significant mineralisation.
“The unconformity mineralisation which we intersected in south-oriented drilling earlier this year is controlled and confined by stratigraphy limiting its lateral extent, however structurally controlled mineralisation below this in steep structures may not have the same limitations.
“The mineralisation in the Pargee Sandstone and at the unconformity confirm the mineralising system and given the intensity of alteration, we believe it is close to a mineralising structure.
"If our interpretation is correct the real prize would lie deeper and the Breccia Zone represents a possible controlling structure. The continuity and nature of the brecciation need to be tested with drilling, which we plan to progress as soon as we can.”
More about the program
PVW’s 2022 field campaign comprised 10,727 metres of reverse circulation drilling, 16,206 metres of aircore drilling, ground gravity surveys and detailed mapping of the Castella and Watts Rises prospects.
This program has put PVW in a very informed position for its 2023 exploration program, noting that positive drill results combined with initial mapping outcomes have already identified new REE targets.
A full review of all levels of data is due in January 2023 and will be the prerequisite to identifying and providing technical support for new targets.
The REE mineralisation model at Tanami is an unconformity/structurally controlled HREE system which is constantly being refined and developed as more geological data is acquired.
Tanami Project mineralisation model.
During the 2022 exploration program, PVW tested the unconformity for mineralisation at Castella and Watts Rise.
At Watts Rise, REE anomalism was intersected along the unconformity at the contact between the Killi Killi Formation and Pargee Sandstone, and higher-grade mineralisation in the Pargee Sandstone about 50-60 metres stratigraphically above this unconformity.
During the recent mapping program led by consultant geologist Carl Brauhart, the brecciated structure north of the Watts Rise mineralisation was highlighted. This structure is about 1-kilometre-long and up to 5 metres wide and disappears undercover to the northwest and southeast.
Field maps are being digitised into a GIS format for use on plans and sections.
For more technical details of the program click here.
Put simply, the segment of breccia structure below the unconformity in the Killi Killi Formation represents a part of the system that could host untested mineralisation.
Further, while the size of the structure and continuity away from the mapped outcrops (down-dip and along strike) is uncertain, based on the interpretation, the target is clearly a priority for the PVW’s next drilling campaign.
What’s next
PVW is targeting deposits similar to the Browns Range project which is rich in dysprosium and terbium.
The high levels of these elements coupled with developed flow sheets to extract the minerals make for an interesting 2023 for PVW.
The mineralogy is critical in rare earth processing and a xenotime-hosted deposit will be a premium deposit.
2023 will be a busy year for the company, with the following tasks to be undertaken:
