CuFe Ltd (ASX:CUF) is pleased with the results yielded by a columbite rock chip sample, ND11, at the North Dam Project, near Kalgoorlie in WA.
Sourced from an outcropping pegmatite, the sample was found in tests to contain 47.1% niobium and 9.01% tantalum.
Results confirm previous findings
These results follow previous findings in August 2023, where rock chips collected from a stream bed returned 43.93% niobium and 14.53% tantalum.
In May, the company conducted a soil geochemistry review, pegmatite mapping and rock chip sampling aimed at identifying the source pegmatites likely responsible for the columbite and tantalite rock chips along a 97-metre narrow stream bed.
It appears that anomalous niobium in soil geochemistry coincides with outcropping pegmatites in the central area of exploration licence E15/1495 – which will be targeted in the upcoming reverse circulation (RC) drill program.
Broader zones of anomalous niobium – greater than 15 parts per million (ppm) and 20 ppm – from soil geochemistry are coincident with outcropping pegmatites to the west, which will be mapped in detail for columbite presence.
Maiden drilling imminent
As part of its wider RC campaign, the company has planned drill holes to intersect these pegmatites, primarily targeting lithium oxide.
Preliminary results from a heritage survey support the planned activities, with the final report expected this month.
The company has wrapped up infill soil sampling in targeted zones and the results will be incorporated into the final drill hole plans.
Drilling is scheduled to kick off in July.
Executive director Mark Hancock said: “The recent work by the team at North Dam further illustrates the potential of the tenement.
“Although the results are from a columbite chip, it shows the potential of the pegmatites across the tenement to host critical minerals other than lithium.
“We are eager to start our maiden drilling program to further understand the potential of the region.”