An ongoing soil sampling program at Aruma Resources Ltd (ASX:AAJ)’s 100%-owned Saltwater Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia has uncovered a “very anomalous” greenfield gold target at the Terceira prospect.
In addition, the program has confirmed the existence of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) systems with elements such as manganese, barium, copper and cobalt at the Orichalcum prospect, and a series of rare earth elements (REE) and telluride anomalies at the Oracle (NYSE:ORCL) prospect.
These latest discoveries have reaffirmed the multi-commodity potential of Saltwater, a project consisting of four granted exploration licences, EL52/3818, EL52/3846, EL52/3857 and EL52/3966, covering a total area of 450 square kilometres.
Encouraging results
Aruma’s soil sampling programs have proven successful in defining targets for a maiden drilling program planned for next year.
The latest fieldwork was completed in October.
Terceira soil anomalies over magnetic signature.
The strong gold anomalism within the soil at the Terceira prospect includes results such as:
- SWS0180 - 0.38 g/t gold and 356 parts per million (ppm) arsenic;
- SWS0179 - 0.14 g/t gold and 371 ppm arsenic; and
- SWS0181 - 0.14 g/t gold and 204 ppm arsenic.
At Orichalcum, manganese-cobalt polymetallic anomalism was detected with readings such as:
- SWS0102 - 1.1% manganese, 612 ppm cobalt, 387ppm copper, 0.37 g/t silver and 0.19% barium;
- SWS0104 - 0.7% manganese, 136 ppm cobalt, 135 ppm copper, 0.05 g/t silver and 0.11% barium; and
- SWS0106 - 0.5% manganese, 151 ppm cobalt, 159 ppm copper, 0.12 g/t silver and 0.08% barium.
Meanwhile, at Oracle, highlights of REE and telluride enrichment include at:
- SWS0094 – 295 ppm cerium, 160 ppm lanthanum and 535 ppm barium; and
- SWS0095 - 0.28 g/t tellurium, 200 ppm copper and 205 ppm nickel.
"Delighted"
“We are delighted with the progress of our fieldwork at Saltwater,” Aruma managing director Glenn Grayson said.
“The results generated to date from our ongoing sampling program are very encouraging and highlight the project’s potential by continuing to deliver materially positive results from this initial, targeted fieldwork.
“Based on results to date, we are confident we have identified a high-value manganese-cobalt target, multiple VMS targets, as well as a promising uranium prospect – and with the latest phase of sampling, have uncovered an exciting, new greenfield gold target.
“We will continue to pursue our systematic and targeted exploration approach at Saltwater with a view to undertaking first-pass drilling at priority targets in the new year."
Forward plan
Based on the key areas of interest defined to date, Aruma will define and model geochemical and geophysical targets as well as undertake ground gravity surveys over the coming months to delineate targets at depth.
In addition, it has commenced a hyperspectral and machine learning study aimed at fast-tracking its modelling and drill targeting in preparation for the planned first phase of drilling in 2024.
Moving forward, the company intends to deploy the same soil sampling strategy to evaluate the remaining 70% of the largely underexplored Saltwater project area.