Exploration Update - Ghana Lithium Portfolio

RNS Number : 6391W
IronRidge Resources Limited
12 December 2019
 

12 December 2019

 

 

Ewoyaa Project Drilling Update - Final Results Received

Most Significant Drill Intersection Reported to Date at

Ewoyaa Project - Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio

Ghana, West Africa

 

IronRidge Resources Limited (AIM: IRR, 'IronRidge' or the 'Company'), the African focussed minerals exploration company, is pleased to report that it has received final assay results from its third phase drilling programme campaign at the Ewoyya Lithium Project (the "Ewoyaa Project"). The results, obtained through a Diamond Drilling ('DD') programme, returned high-grade intersections with the most significant drill intersection reported to date at the Ewoyaa Project within the Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio in Ghana, West Africa.

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

 

Ø Broad and high-grade results returned for Diamond Drilling ('DD') programme completed at the Ewoyaa Project; representing the final drilling results received for the third phase programme

Ø Total of 350m of diamond drilling completed in two (2) drill holes as part of the third phase programme and reported herewith

Ø High-grade drill intersections* reported at Ewoyaa in diamond drilling including:

GDD0010: 76m @ 1.81% Li2O from 43m

GDD0010: 33.5m @ 1.3% Li2O from 124m

GDD0011: 69.74m @ 1.45% Li2O from 15.86m

GDD0011: 31.4m @ 1.78% Li2O from 92.6m

Ø Highest lithium grade x length of mineralised interval ('metal endowment') reported to date in a single drill hole at the Ewoyaa Project; 76m @ 1.81% Li2O and 33.5m @ 1.3% Li2O in hole GDD0010

Ø Visual observations re-confirm coarse spodumene as the dominant lithium mineral phase; in-line with previously reported metallurgical test-work results where greater than 6% Li2O concentrates at up to 85% recovery can be generated using DMS gravity separation at a coarse 6.3mm crush (refer RNS of 21 May 2019)

Ø Targeting JORC compliant Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE') for Q1 2020

*Reported at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off with maximum 4m of internal dilution

References to figures relate to this release visible in PDF format by clicking the link below:

 

 http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6391W_1-2019-12-12.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

Commenting on the Company's latest progress, Len Kolff, Chief Operating Officer of IronRidge, said:

 

“The latest diamond drilling results from the third phase drilling programme have delivered robust drill intersections and are our highest Li2O grade x length of mineralised interval (‘metal endowment’) reported to date in a single drill hole at the Ewoyaa Project; 76m @ 1.81% Li2O and 33.5m @ 1.3% Li2O in hole GDD0010.

 

“Visual observations from both diamond drill holes reconfirms that coarse grained spodumene is the dominant lithium phase at the Ewoyaa Project; in-line with previously reported metallurgical results where greater than 6% Li2O concentrates with low contaminants and up to 85% recoveries can be generated at a coarse 6.3mm crush and using DMS gravity separation (refer RNS of 21 May 2019).

 

“Additionally, infill hole GDD0010 has confirmed continuity of mineralisation and grade within the central zone of the Ewoyaa Main deposit, where the majority of the Indicated category resource will be estimated. 

 

“We are now working towards delivering the maiden MRE in Q1 2020. In the meantime, field teams continue to develop and advance the project portfolio with ongoing regional exploration programmes, baseline monitoring and drill site re-vegetation works.”

 

 

Diamond Drilling Results - Third Phase Programme

The Company has now completed its third phase drill programme for a total of 12,669m of Reverse Circulation ('RC') in 97 holes and 350m of Diamond Drill core ('DD') in two (2) holes. The Company has drilled three phases of RC and DD drilling to date for a total of 25,563m of RC in 198 holes and 1,394m of DD in 11 holes (refer RNS' of 28 August 2018, 8 October 2018, 20 November 2018 and 5 March 2019).

Results reported herewith are for the DD component of the third phase drilling programme completed at the Ewoyaa project and represent the final results to be reported for this programme.

Hole GDD0010 was designed as part of an infill drill section to provide a higher degree of geological confidence as well as provide future metallurgical test-work drill core sample and geotechnical data. Hole GDD0011 was drilled perpendicular to the current drill grid at Ewoyaa Main and within the likely zone of an Initial Mining Area ('IMA') at the Project to provide confidence in the geological model, additional geotechnical data, as well as additional future metallurgical test-work sample material.

Hole GDD0010 is significant as it represents the highest grade 'metal endowment' (Li2O grade_% x interval_m) combined intersection received to date within a single drill hole at the Ewoyaa Project.

Both holes intersected broad and high-grade widths of coarse spodumene pegmatite mineralisation from near surface which provides confidence in the likely IMA location within an area of infill drilling, as well as re-confirming coarse spodumene as the dominant lithium mineral phase and amenability to a simple gravity process flow-sheet design (refer RNS of 21 May 2019).   

All DD drill intersections at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off and maximum 4m of internal dilution are summarised in Table 1 below and in Figure 1.

All drill intersections for the third phase combined RC and DD programme are summarised in Table 2 and Figure 3 (refer RNS of 25 November 2019).

Table 1: All reported Diamond Drill intersections at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off and maximum 4m of internal dilution from Phase 3 DD programme

Hole ID

Project area

From_m

To_m

Interval_m

Li2O_%

Intersection

GDD0010

Ewoyaa Main

43

119

76

1.81

GDD0010: 76m @ 1.81% Li2O from 43m

GDD0010

Ewoyaa Main

124

157.5

33.5

1.3

GDD0010: 33.5m @ 1.3% Li2O from 124m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

15.86

85.6

69.74

1.45

GDD0011: 69.74m @ 1.45% Li2O from 15.86m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

92.6

124

31.4

1.78

GDD0011: 31.4m @ 1.78% Li2O from 92.6m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

133.5

147.2

13.7

0.79

GDD0011: 13.7m @ 0.79% Li2O from 133.5m

 

 

The reported intersections and visual observations in diamond drill core have added considerable confidence in the geological model and continuity of mineralisation within the central portion of the Ewoyaa Main deposit. This is where the majority of the RC infill drilling has been completed to date and will be the focus for the indicated portion of the JORC compliant MRE.

 

The diamond drill holes will provide metallurgical test-work sample material as well as valuable geotechnical assessment for future studies.

 

Next Steps

The Company is compiling and reviewing all of the geological data in preparation for the MRE. All of the data and geological interpretations will be provided to the Competent Person for resource estimation. The Company is targeting release of the MRE for Q1 2020.

 

The Company will use this time wisely to advance the projects whilst maintaining field activities and managing budgets carefully. Field teams will continue to progress the exploration programmes, baseline monitoring and drill site remediation activities including re-planting.

 

The Board is delighted with the progress that the Company has made in 2019 to date and looks forward to keeping shareholders updated as further news becomes available.

 

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

 

Table 2: Third phase Reverse Circulation and Diamond drill intersections by project area over a minimum 4m interval at a 0.4% Li2O cut-off and maximum 4m of internal dilution

Hole_ID

Project Area

From_m

To_m

Interval_m

Li2O_%

Intersection

GRC0114

Ewoyaa Main

74

78

4

1.14

GRC0114: 4m @ 1.14% Li2O from 74m

GRC0119

Ewoyaa Main

70

107

37

1.06

GRC0119: 37m @ 1.06% Li2O from 70m

GRC0124

Ewoyaa Main

50

84

34

1.11

GRC0124: 34m @ 1.11% Li2O from 50m

GRC0124

Ewoyaa Main

94

100

6

1.21

GRC0124: 6m @ 1.21% Li2O from 94m

GRC0126

Ewoyaa Main

88

98

10

1.01

GRC0126: 10m @ 1.01% Li2O from 88m

GRC0126

Ewoyaa Main

139

147

8

0.82

GRC0126: 8m @ 0.82% Li2O from 139m

GRC0126

Ewoyaa Main

59

63

4

1.46

GRC0126: 4m @ 1.46% Li2O from 59m

GRC0128

Ewoyaa Main

69

80

11

0.6

GRC0128: 11m @ 0.6% Li2O from 69m

GRC0129

Ewoyaa Main

169

181

12

0.74

GRC0129: 12m @ 0.74% Li2O from 169m

GRC0129

Ewoyaa Main

192

200

8

0.67

GRC0129: 8m @ 0.67% Li2O from 192m

GRC0133

Abonko

6

15

9

1.31

GRC0133: 9m @ 1.31% Li2O from 6m

GRC0137

Abonko

64

79

15

1.44

 GRC0137: 15m @ 1.44% Li2O from 64m

GRC0137

Abonko

51

59

8

1.68

GRC0137: 8m @ 1.68% Li2O from 51m

GRC0138

Abonko

81

87

6

1.78

GRC0138: 6m @ 1.78% Li2O from 81m

GRC0138

Abonko

20

27

7

0.82

GRC0138: 7m @ 0.82% Li2O from 20m

GRC0139

Abonko

26

45

19

1.15

 GRC0139: 19m @ 1.15% Li2O from 26m

GRC0140

Abonko

33

38

5

1.31

GRC0140: 5m @ 1.31% Li2O from 33m

GRC0141

Abonko

71

85

14

1.29

GRC0141: 14m @ 1.29% Li2O from 71m

GRC0141

Abonko

97

104

7

1.29

GRC0141: 7m @ 1.29% Li2O from 97m

GRC0141

Abonko

12

17

5

1.2

GRC0141: 5m @ 1.2% Li2O from 12m

GRC0142

Abonko

74

84

10

1.15

GRC0142: 10m @ 1.15% Li2O from 74m

GRC0142

Abonko

62

67

5

1.5

GRC0142: 5m @ 1.5% Li2O from 62m

GRC0143

Abonko

77

81

4

0.93

GRC0143: 4m @ 0.93% Li2O from 77m

GRC0143

Abonko

26

30

4

0.69

GRC0143: 4m @ 0.69% Li2O from 26m

GRC0144

Abonko

36

43

7

2.3

GRC0144: 7m @ 2.3% Li2O from 36m

GRC0144

Abonko

188

203

15

1.06

GRC0144: 15m @ 1.06% Li2O from 188m

GRC0144

Abonko

114

121

7

0.96

GRC0144: 7m @ 0.96% Li2O from 114m

GRC0145

Abonko

67

73

6

1.35

GRC0145: 6m @ 1.35% Li2O from 67m

GRC0145

Abonko

93

98

5

1.49

GRC0145: 5m @ 1.49% Li2O from 93m

GRC0148

Abonko

70

74

4

0.8

GRC0148: 4m @ 0.8% Li2O from 70m

GRC0149

Abonko

91

98

7

0.65

GRC0149: 7m @ 0.65% Li2O from 91m

GRC0150

Ewoyaa North-East

64

68

4

0.84

GRC0150: 4m @ 0.84% Li2O from 64m

GRC0152

Ewoyaa North-East

121

144

23

1.7

GRC0152: 23m @ 1.7% Li2O from 121m

GRC0153

Ewoyaa North-East

91

102

11

1.62

GRC0153: 11m @ 1.62% Li2O from 91m

GRC0154

Ewoyaa North-East

132

147

15

0.89

GRC0154: 15m @ 0.89% Li2O from 132m

GRC0155

Ewoyaa North-East

54

94

40

1.45

GRC0155: 40m @ 1.45% Li2O from 54m

GRC0156

Ewoyaa North-East

22

33

11

1.79

GRC0156: 11m @ 1.79% Li2O from 22m

GRC0156

Ewoyaa North-East

93

109

16

1.11

GRC0156: 16m @ 1.11% Li2O from 93m

GRC0157

Ewoyaa North-East

131

152

21

1.41

GRC0157: 21m @ 1.41% Li2O from 131m

GRC0157

Ewoyaa North-East

65

69

4

2.19

GRC0157: 4m @ 2.19% Li2O from 65m

GRC0158

Ewoyaa North-East

115

122

7

0.98

GRC0158: 7m @ 0.98% Li2O from 115m

GRC0158

Ewoyaa North-East

190

194

4

1.68

GRC0158: 4m @ 1.68% Li2O from 190m

GRC0159

Ewoyaa North-East

56

63

7

0.62

GRC0159: 7m @ 0.62% Li2O from 56m

GRC0160

Ewoyaa North-East

21

25

4

1.59

GRC0160: 4m @ 1.59% Li2O from 21m

GRC0160

Ewoyaa North-East

9

15

6

0.56

GRC0160: 6m @ 0.56% Li2O from 9m

GRC0161

Ewoyaa North-East

72

103

31

1.5

GRC0161: 31m @ 1.5% Li2O from 72m

GRC0162

Ewoyaa North-East

103

122

19

1.82

GRC0162: 19m @ 1.82% Li2O from 103m

GRC0162

Ewoyaa North-East

135

139

4

0.46

GRC0162: 4m @ 0.46% Li2O from 135m

GRC0163

Ewoyaa North-East

139

160

21

1.23

GRC0163: 21m @ 1.23% Li2O from 139m

GRC0164

Ewoyaa North-East

64

80

16

1.81

GRC0164: 16m @ 1.81% Li2O from 64m

GRC0172

Ewoyaa Main

71

88

17

1.02

GRC0172: 17m @ 1.02% Li2O from 71m

GRC0172

Ewoyaa Main

65

70

5

1.64

GRC0172: 5m @ 1.64% Li2O from 65m

GRC0173

Ewoyaa Main

86

102

16

1

GRC0173: 16m @ 1% Li2O from 86m

GRC0174

Ewoyaa Main

97

105

8

0.95

GRC0174: 8m @ 0.95% Li2O from 97m

GRC0179

Ewoyaa Main

37

65

28

1.49

GRC0179: 28m @ 1.49% Li2O from 37m

GRC0179

Ewoyaa Main

99

112

13

0.81

GRC0179: 13m @ 0.81% Li2O from 99m

GRC0179

Ewoyaa Main

142

154

12

0.7

GRC0179: 12m @ 0.7% Li2O from 142m

GRC0179

Ewoyaa Main

118

129

11

0.6

GRC0179: 11m @ 0.6% Li2O from 118m

GRC0180

Ewoyaa Main

138

143

5

0.93

GRC0180: 5m @ 0.93% Li2O from 138m

GRC0180

Ewoyaa Main

117

122

5

0.83

GRC0180: 5m @ 0.83% Li2O from 117m

GRC0180

Ewoyaa Main

168

174

6

0.48

GRC0180: 6m @ 0.48% Li2O from 168m

GRC0184

Kaampakrom

65

71

6

1.64

GRC0184: 6m @ 1.64% Li2O from 65m

GRC0186

Kaampakrom

46

50

4

1.38

GRC0186: 4m @ 1.38% Li2O from 46m

GRC0187

Kaampakrom

82

86

4

1.28

GRC0187: 4m @ 1.28% Li2O from 82m

GRC0193

Kaampakrom

44

49

5

0.92

GRC0193: 5m @ 0.92% Li2O from 44m

GRC0194

Kaampakrom

92

99

7

1.82

GRC0194: 7m @ 1.82% Li2O from 92m

GRC0196

Ewoyaa Main

76

110

34

1.43

GRC0196: 34m @ 1.43% Li2O from 76m

GRC0196

Ewoyaa Main

61

72

11

0.88

GRC0196: 11m @ 0.88% Li2O from 61m

GRC0196

Ewoyaa Main

46

58

12

0.78

GRC0196: 12m @ 0.78% Li2O from 46m

GRC0197

Ewoyaa Main

163

177

14

1.17

GRC0197: 14m @ 1.17% Li2O from 163m

GRC0197

Ewoyaa Main

152

161

9

0.92

GRC0197: 9m @ 0.92% Li2O from 152m

GDD0010

Ewoyaa Main

43

119

76

1.81

GDD0010: 76m @ 1.81% Li2O from 43m

GDD0010

Ewoyaa Main

124

157.5

33.5

1.3

GDD0010: 33.5m @ 1.3% Li2O from 124m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

15.86

85.6

69.74

1.45

GDD0011: 69.74m @ 1.45% Li2O from 15.86m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

92.6

124

31.4

1.78

GDD0011: 31.4m @ 1.78% Li2O from 92.6m

GDD0011

Ewoyaa Main

133.5

147.2

13.7

0.79

GDD0011: 13.7m @ 0.79% Li2O from 133.5m

 

 

 

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

 

For any further information please contact:

IronRidge Resources Limited

Vincent Mascolo (Chief Executive Officer)

Karl Schlobohm (Company Secretary)

 Tel: +61 (0)7 3303 0610

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Nominated Adviser

Jeff Keating

Charlie Bouverat

Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470

SI Capital Limited

Company Broker

Nick Emerson

Jon Levinson

 

 

Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413 500

Tel: +44 (0) 207 871 4038

Yellow Jersey PR Limited

Harriet Jackson

Dominic Barretto

Emma Becirovic

Tel: +44 (0)20 3004 9512

 

Notes to Editors:

IronRidge Resources is an AIM-listed, Africa focussed minerals exploration company with a lithium pegmatite discovery in Ghana, extensive grassroots gold portfolio in Cote d'Ivoire and a potential new gold province discovery in Chad. The Company holds legacy iron ore assets in Gabon and a bauxite resource in Australia. IronRidge's strategy is to create and sustain shareholder value through the discovery and development of significant and globally demanded commodities.

 

Ghana

The Company entered into earn-in arrangements with Obotan Minerals Limited, Merlink Resources Limited, Barari Developments Limited and Joy Transporters Limited of Ghana, West Africa, securing the first access rights to acquire the historical Egyasimanku Hill spodumene rich lithium deposit, estimated to be in the order of 1.48Mt at 1.67% Li2O and surrounding tenements. The portfolio covers some 684km2 with the newly discovered Ewoyaa project including drill intersections of 128m @ 1.21% Li2O from 3m and 111m @ 1.35% Li2O from 37m, and a further identified 20km strike of pegmatite vein swarms. The tenure package is also highly prospective for tin, tantalum, niobium, caesium and gold, which occur as accessory minerals within the pegmatites and host formations.

 

Chad

The Company entered into an agreement with Tekton Minerals Pte Ltd of Singapore concerning its portfolio covering 900km2 of highly prospective gold and other mineral projects in Chad, Central Africa. IronRidge acquired 100% of Tekton including its projects and team to advance the Dorothe, Echbara, Am Ouchar, Nabagay and Kalaka licenses, which host multiple, large scale gold projects. Trenching results at Dorothe, including 84m @ 1.66g/t Au (including 6m @ 5.49g/t & 8m @ 6.23g/t), 4m @ 18.77g/t Au (including 2m @ 36.2g/t), 32m @ 2.02g/t Au (including 18m @ 3.22g/t), 24m @ 2.53g/t Au (including 6m @ 4.1g/t (including 2m @ 6.2g/t) and 2m @ 6.14g/t), 14.12g/t Au over 4m, 34.1g/t over 2m and 63.2g/t over 1m, have defined significant gold mineralised quartz veining zones over a 3km by 1km area including the steep dipping 'Main Vein' and shallow dipping 'Sheeted Vein' zones.

 

Côte d'Ivoire

The Company entered into conditional earn-in arrangements in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa; securing access rights to highly prospective gold mineralised structures and pegmatite occurrences covering a combined 3,584km2 and 1,172km2 area respectively. The projects are well located within access of an extensive bitumen road network and along strike from multi-million-ounce gold projects and mines.

 

Australia

Monogorilby is prospective for province scale titanium and bauxite, with an initial maiden resource of 54.9MT of premium DSO bauxite. Monogorilby is located in central Queensland, within a short trucking distance of the rail system leading north to the Port of Bundaberg. It is also located within close proximity of the active Queensland Rail network heading south towards the Port of Brisbane.

 

May Queen is located in Central Queensland within IRR's wholly owned Monogorilby license package and is highly prospective for gold. Historic drilling completed during the 1980s intersected multiple high-grade gold intervals, including 2m @ 73.4 g/t Au (including 1m at 145g/t), 4m @ 38.8g/t Au (at end of hole) and 3m @ 18.9g/t Au, over an approximate 100m strike hosting numerous parallel vein systems, open to the north-west and south-east.

 

Gabon

Tchibanga is located in south-western Gabon, in the Nyanga Province, within 10-60km of the Atlantic coastline.  This project comprises two exploration licenses, Tchibanga and Tchibanga Nord, which cover a combined area of 3,396km2 and include over 90km of prospective lithologies and the historic Mont Pele iron occurrence.

 

Belinga Sud is Located in the north east of Gabon in the Ogooue-Ivindo Province, approximately 400km east of the capital city of Libreville. IRR's licence lies between the main Belinga Iron Ore Deposit, believed to be one of the world's largest untapped reserves of iron ore with an estimated 1bt of iron ore at a grade >60% Fe, and the route of the Trans Gabonese railway, which currently carries manganese ore and timber from Franceville to the Port of Owendo in Libreville.

 

Corporate

IronRidge made its AIM debut in February 2015, successfully securing strategic alliances with three international companies: Assore Limited of South Africa, Sumitomo Corporation of Japan and DGR Global Limited of Australia. Assore is a high-grade iron, chrome and manganese mining specialist. Sumitomo Corporation is a global resources, mining marketing and trading conglomerate. DGR Global is a project generation and exploration specialist.

 

 

 


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