Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) has identified widespread pegmatites at its highly prospective Mt Clere Project in the north-western margins of the Yilgarn Craton in Western Australia.
KTA began regional reconnaissance, mapping and geochemical field programs at Mt Clere in early May and has systematically explored areas of interest identified from satellite, remote sensing, stream geochemistry data and various geophysical interpretations.
The company found individual pegmatite outcrops up to 40 metres wide and strike over 200 metres, with the pegmatites potentially prospective for lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) and niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) mineralisation as well as rare earth elements.
The Mt Clere project covers an area of more than 2,400 square kilometres and contains one of the largest clay-hosted REE resources in Western Australia with a mineral resource estimate of 101 million tonnes at 840ppm TREO (Tower deposit).
Krakatoa is buoyed by its latest results, particularly as much of the project area has been underexplored, with approximately 80% of the landholding yet to be investigated.
On this point, the northern Mt Clere tenements have seen no previous lithium exploration and limited rare earth exploration. The latter achieved results up to 1.04% TREO from a 2021 stream sample.
Northern tenements exploration
Once Krakatoa was able to re-establish pastoral tracks at Mt Clere Station, the exploration teams gained access to the previously unreachable northern tenements of Mt Clere.
Restoration has set the stage for intensive exploration activities on a scale not previously possible.
The unlocked terrains present substantial geochemical targets within the DEW area of interest in the upper catchment of the Deadman, Errida and Wheelo Creeks.
This area is expected to be particularly rich in rare earth elements, thanks to significant stream geochemical anomalies. These anomalies were initially mapped by BHP (ASX:BHP) Group, which recorded a high presence of monazite in pan concentrates with grades often topping 50% (as per WAMEX Report A30270).
Confirming these findings, Krakatoa’s preliminary phase of reconnaissance stream geochemical sampling, conducted in mid-2021, reaffirmed the abundance of the resources. Notable results from the exploration include samples MCS21081 with 10,380ppm (1.04%) TREO, MCS21138 with 8,126ppm (0.81%) TREO, and MCS21120 with 7,887ppm (0.79%) TREO.
The geology of the north-eastern area of Mt Clere, inclusive of the DEW AOI, has been widely deformed and metamorphosed and is interpreted as a part of the Yarlarweelor Gneiss Complex (YGC). This geological formation includes granitic sheets and coarse-grained pegmatite seeping into reworked zones of the nearby Narryer Terrane.
Multiple generations of faults are present in the project area, which include the Errabiddy Shear Zone. This zone, stretching between 5 to 20 kilometres wide, is a significant crustal suture linking the Palaeoproterozoic Glenburgh terrane to the Archaean Yilgarn Craton.
Given the intricate tectonic and geological landscape, Krakatoa believes that the region is highly prospective for rare element pegmatites, including lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) and niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) mineralisation.
Pegmatite outcrops discovered
While conducting systematic mapping and geochemical sampling over the northern tenements, field crews have discovered several pegmatite outcrops. These outcrops span 1-metre to 40 metres in width and extend over 200 metres in strike extensions. Exploration is ongoing, and more pegmatite clusters are expected to be uncovered.
At present, nine major cluster areas have been identified, with two located around the Lucys Bore area and the remainder within the DEW area of interest.
Location of the recent pegmatite sites and areas of mapping and geochemical sampling within the northern tenements of Mt Clere.
Field geologists have described the pegmatite outcrops within the Lucys pegmatite fields as coarse-grained formations composed primarily of feldspar, muscovite minerals and quartz, with a common presence of tourmaline. Additionally, large tourmaline crystals have been discovered on the edges of the pegmatite as float, often accompanying the pegmatite outcrops.
Typical quartz, feldspar and mica pegmatite and the tourmaline crystals (float) found around the Lucys pegmatite area.
The pegmatite outcrops found within the DEW area of interest are largely composed of quartz, feldspar and mica minerals. Some pegmatites, however, also feature other minerals such as tourmaline.
These formations tend to contain medium to coarse-grained minerals, with mica ranging from massive (5cm books) to evenly dispersed within the quartz and feldspar mineral pegmatite mass.
Tourmaline crystals within the quartz, feldspar and mica pegmatite located in the DEW area of interest.
It should be noted that this project area has not been previously explored for lithium. The presence of pegmatites does not confirm the existence of lithium or rare earth elements.
Though pegmatites, coarse-grained igneous rocks, are often associated with lithium, REE and niobium mineralisation, many do not contain appreciable quantities of mineralisation. Assaying is required to confirm the presence of any mineralisation.
Work in progress
Krakatoa has embarked on an extensive reconnaissance mapping, soil/rock sampling and stream sampling expansion program over the northern tenements, with a focus on both rare earth and lithium mineralisation. Geochemical analytical work is in progress, with results to be reported to the market in due course.
Regional map showing recent important discoveries and location of Krakatoa Resources Mt Clere project and known REE occurrences.
Considering the tectonic and geological conditions, Krakatoa deems the area highly prospective for rare element pegmatites, including lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) and niobium-yttrium-fluorine (NYF) mineralisation. The regional area has already proven to be a major hotspot for various REE, lithium, gold, and base metal discoveries.
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