Miramar Resources Ltd (ASX:M2R) says its recent detailed aeromagnetic and radiometric survey flown over the Dooley Downs Project in WA has been productive, picking out several large magnetic and/or radiometric anomalies.
The anomalies hold the promise of unmapped igneous intrusions, including carbonatites capable of hosting rare earth element (REE) mineralisation.
Airborne survey
The survey was conducted by Thomson Airborne and threw the spotlight on a number of ovoid magnetic and/or radiometric features, ranging in size from 600 square metres to 6 kilometres by 2 kilometres, in the southeastern part of the project, surrounding the Eden Bore target.
Scintillometer readings were also elevated over Eden Bore.
A number of smaller but stronger coincident thorium and uranium anomalies were seen southeast of Eden Bore.
Several samples of ironstone float were taken which will be sent for multi-element analysis, which includes REEs.
Eden Bore target showing radiometric anomalies and ironstone float sampling.
Dooley Downs promise
The Dooley Downs Project, part of Miramar’s larger Bangemall Project, lies within the rapidly emerging Capricorn Orogen mineral province.
The area is also host to Hastings Technology Metals’ Yangibana REE Project and recent REE discoveries by Dreadnought Resources and Lanthanein Resources Ltd (ASX:LNR).
Miramar field staff immediately mobilised to the project to conduct initial reconnaissance of the targets.
Executive chairman Allan Kelly said the new survey data had highlighted several large targets worthy of systematic follow-up work.
“We are seeing numerous large radiometric anomalies which appear to be spatially related to potentially unmapped intrusions, something unexpected for this area,” he said.
REE discoveries nearby
“Given the REE discoveries being made by some of our neighbours nearby, the new results are highly significant for the overall prospectivity of our Bangemall Project tenements.
“If these anomalies in the Edmund Basin are caused by igneous intrusions, and potentially carbonatites, it would be extremely significant for the prospectivity of the wider Gascoyne region.”
What’s next?
Encouraged by the size and number of targets generated from the survey, Miramar is planning to conduct further work, including more detailed ground geophysics and geochemical surveys with the aim of defining drill targets for testing.
The company also plans to fly similar magnetic and radiometric surveys over its other Bangemall Project tenements once they’re granted.
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