Kingfisher (LON:KGF) Mining Ltd (ASX:KFM) continues to grow the rare earth potential of Mick Well Project in the Gascoyne Mineral Field in Western Australia with further high-grade surface samples returned, including up to 32% total rare earth oxides (TREO).
Sample results from the MW2 and MW7 prospects have extended the strike with mineralisation remaining open in all directions.
K3 target shines
Meanwhile, sampling at Kingfisher Prospect has revealed another area of high-grade rare earth element (REE) mineralisation at K3 target with a surface sample returning 32.16% TREO with 5.25% of the high value, in-demand magnet metals of neodymium (Nd2O3) and praseodymium (Pr6O11).
This discovery occurs within the company’s 54-kilometre Chalba target corridor and is 15 kilometres east of KFM’s breakthrough Mick Well REE discoveries.
The latest sampling results continue to confirm additional high-grade zones as exploration advances along this corridor.
Another discovery
Kingfisher’s executive director and CEO James Farrell said: “We are excited to announce another high-grade REE discovery at the KF3 target at our Kingfisher Project.
"The discovery confirms the potential for additional high-grade mineralisation discoveries as we advance along our 54-kilometre Chalba REE corridor east of Mick Well.”
The K3 sample was collected as part of the company’s regional geological mapping and is associated with a distinct magnetic feature and a broad area of fenite alteration.
Follow-up mapping focused on delineating the mineralisation will be completed as a high priority when fieldwork recommences this quarter.
MW2 extended
Mapping at the MW2 Prospect has extended the mineralised zone to a strike length of 2 kilometres with this zone now being 300 metres wide and comprised of multiple lodes.
Sampling results from the new MW2 extensions include:
- 30.83% TREO with 5.10% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11;
- 15.25% TREO with 2.49% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11;
- 14.59% TREO with 2.44% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11;
- 10.12% TREO with 1.62% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11; and
- 9.15% TREO with 1.50% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11.
Total Magnetic Intensity for the Kingfisher, Mick Well and Arthur River projects.
Strike length grows
MW7 has also returned further strong samples that extend the strike length by 500 metres to more than 1.5 kilometres with two new lodes identified. Results include:
- 14.60% TREO with 2.41% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11;
- 12.10% TREO with 2.04% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11;
- 11.68% TREO with 1.83% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11; and
- 9.59% TREO with 1.62% Nd2O3 + Pr6O11.
"Our Mick Well discoveries are continuing to grow. So far, a mineralisation strike length of 1.5 kilometres has been identified at MW7 and it is still open,” Farrell said.
"First-pass drilling is now planned for April this year, together with infill and extensional drilling at our first discovery, MW2.
"Our fieldwork is set to recommence shortly and we are very excited to continue with the delineation and potential further discoveries as we work along our combined 80-kilometres target corridor on the Chalba and Locker shears.”
Growing list of discoveries
Mineralisation at MW2, MW7 and KF3 remains open in every direction and is part of the growing list of discoveries across the company’s extensive Gascoyne tenure that consists of a combined mineralised corridor along the Chalba and Lockier shears of more than 80 kilometres.
First results from the company’s recent 37-hole, 4,200-metre drilling program at MW2 are imminent.
What comes next?
Planning is well advanced for the company’s exploration activities for 2023 at its Gascoyne projects.
It is envisaged the 2023 exploration activities will include drilling at MW2, MW7, MW8 as well as substantial project generation work across the 54-kilometre target corridor, including the CH1 to CH 10 targets as well as the Arthur River and Mooloo projects.
The 2023 exploration activities, plans for which will be announced shortly, are also likely to include airborne geophysics across the Mooloo project.