Tempest Minerals Ltd (ASX:TEM) has had some preliminary success from reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Remorse target, part of the company’s flagship Yalgoo Project in Western Australia.
Initial results from portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) groundwork reveal thick, high-grade, magnetite-hosted iron.
TEM has now wrapped up the first phase of RC drilling at Remorse, where it drilled 21 RC holes for 4,005 metres. Samples were box scanned (pXRF) and submitted to the lab.
The company says there is potential for a large-scale iron ore deposit spanning more than two kilometres of drilled strike length, with geology extending for a mapped five kilometres.
High-grade magnetite discoveries
Recent drilling has yielded promising results, including intersections such as:
- 16 metres at 32.6% iron from 93 metres (using pXRF);
- 20 metres at 32.3% iron from 120 metres and 11 metres at 30.8% iron from 182 metres (pXRF);
- 7 metres at 32.8% iron from 96 metres (lab results); and
- 8 metres at 30.1% iron from 130 metres (pXRF).
These results follow previously reported discoveries of 32 metres at 30% iron from 96 metres, including 7 metres at 37% iron.
Although pXRF data is less precise than laboratory assays, the consistency between methods suggests reliable results – at any rate, final laboratory assays are expected in December.
There are multiple world-class iron ore operations in the vicinity, which gives Tempest more confidence in the results.
Expanding potential
The widely spaced drilling program at Remorse Target (NYSE:TGT) has identified continuity and consistency of magnetite mineralisation over more than two kilometres, with identical iron-rich stratigraphy mapped across a five-kilometre zone.
Preliminary analysis indicates the magnetite-rich rock is medium-grained and equigranular, characteristics that are advantageous for cost-effective beneficiation and production of high-grade concentrates.
Next (LON:NXT) steps
Tempest plans to:
- complete the analysis of drilling results;
- conduct metallurgical testing to evaluate beneficiation properties;
- plan further drilling to refine high-grade iron mineralisation; and
- assess additional iron ore potential within the Yalgoo Project.
About Tempest Minerals
Tempest has a diversified portfolio of projects in WA that are considered highly prospective for precious, base and energy metals. It boasts an experienced board and management team with extensive exploration, operational and corporate miles behind them.
The company employs targeted, data-driven and risk-weighted exploration to develop its assets.