Lucapa Diamond has identified an additional 16 kimberlite targets following further review of the electromagnetic (EM) survey data over the Merlin tenements in Australia’s Northern Territory.
It said three of these targets have previously been investigated through drilling.
However, the drilling was considered insufficient because of the location or depth of the drill holes, and further work was recommended.
The diamond company said the review of the EM survey data had also significantly increased the prospectivity of the two previously identified large targets.
Subsequent extensive analysis and modelling of previously identified Targets A and B show a distinct conductive feature below shallow sandstone cover and within comparable stratigraphy to the McArthur River Mine ore bodies situated 50 km away.
Lucapa said the interpretation of the data indicates that there is a fold feature close to Target A and that the Barney Creek formation, which is the host geological formation for the deposit at McArthur River Mine, may be present below the Bukkalara sandstone cover and therefore has not been identified in outcrop during regional geological mapping.
It said a review of publicly available data has also found a regional gravity survey station indicating a gravity high over the top of Target A.
“The findings of the review are extremely compelling in several key respects. The analysis of the EM data, combined with the local geology, reveals many highly promising features which demonstrate the immense potential of these targets,” said Lucapa chief executive Alex Kidman.
“Given these outstanding results, we intend to undertake follow-up geophysics, soil sampling and geological mapping to continue defining the targets ahead of drilling. With a further 16 kimberlite targets identified in the EM data, the survey has been more successful than we could have hoped for.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
