Early-stage reconnaissance at the Bryah Basin Tenement by CuFe Ltd (ASX:CUF) has picked up on high-grade iron enrichment.
Rock chip assays are back from the laboratory and they point to iron content of up to 60.63%, with minimal impurities.
The reconnaissance fieldwork uncovered a corridor of surface supergene enrichment within the Banded Iron Formation (BIF), extending potentially over a 1.2-kilometre strike length.
Adding iron to the diet
CuFe has a portfolio of lithium, niobium and copper assets, but is keen to take on what is shaping up to be a low-capex iron project.
This discovery is slated for further investigation with comprehensive field mapping and rock chip sampling planned later this quarter.
Executive director Mark Hancock said: “Following a review of our Bryah Basin package we have identified prospectivity for iron ore within E52/1613 located along the Robinson Range.
“Our first partial reconnaissance of the tenement has identified a pod of enrichment that is supported by high-grade iron rock chips and further illustrates the breadth of opportunity our exploration portfolio that CuFe shareholders have exposure to.
“Although this is not the highest priority within our portfolio – where the focus is on exploration targets for future-facing minerals including copper at Tennant Creek, lithium at North Dam and niobium in the West Arunta – we will follow up with more mapping and sampling along strike to further test the potential and to identify drill targets.
“The project logistics are favourable and offer potential for the style of low capex DSO project we have experience in developing and executing.”
About Bryah Basin
The Bryah Basin Project, inclusive of the relevant tenement E52/1613, spans 34 square kilometres and is 95 kilometres north of Meekatharra and 630 kilometres east of the Port of Geraldton, Western Australia.
This site benefits from excellent access via nearby transport routes, including the Great Northern Highway and Ashburton Downs-Meekatharra Road.
CuFe's strategic review highlighted the iron ore potential within this tenement, which is wholly owned by its subsidiary, Jackson Minerals, following the withdrawal from a joint venture with Auris Minerals Ltd.
The Robinson Range Formation, part of the Proterozoic Capricorn Orogenic Belt, hosts Banded Iron Formations and haematitic shales. The supergene enrichment along the BIF outcrop has produced hematite and goethite, with iron content ranging from 50% to 65%.
This area has historically shown significant iron ore potential, with past exploration identifying various enriched sites.