Significant Copper Resource Potential, Oman

RNS Number : 8877I
Savannah Resources PLC
14 December 2015
 

 

 Savannah Resources Plc / Index: AIM / Epic: SAV / Sector: Mining

14 December 2015

Savannah Resources Plc

Significant Copper Resource Potential Identified Within Blocks 4 and 5  

Semail Ophiolite Belt, Oman

 

Savannah Resources plc (AIM: SAV) ('Savannah' or the 'Company') announces that it has completed the historical drilling data compilation and Exploration Target estimates for the Block 4 and 5 permits in Oman, which demonstrate potential to define a significant copper resource (Figure 1). Savannah owns a 65% shareholding in Al Fairuz Mining LLC, the owner of the Block 5 licence, and is earning, via agreed expenditure milestones, a 65% shareholding in Al Thuraya LLC, who own Block 4.  To view the press release with the illustrative maps and diagrams please use the following link:

 

HIGHLIGHTS:

·     A database containing approximately 100,000m of historical drilling data has now been compiled over a series of potential targets (Table 1)

·     Based on the drilling and other exploration factors a series of internally generated Exploration Targets (Table 2) have been calculated for each of Savannah's high priority areas and aggregate as below*

Tonnage

Grade % Cu

Grade Au ppm

Contained Cu Tonnes

Contained Au Ounces

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

10,700,000

29,250,000

1.4

2.4

0.2

0.4

150,000

700,000

60,000

360,000

 

·     Given the intensity of drilling into most of these deposits Savannah has a good degree of confidence that with appropriate drilling programmes, Mineral Resources within the stated Exploration Target ranges can be potentially defined with work under way to begin delivering the first of these during Q1 2016

 

*It is important to note that the above table is a summary of Exploration Targets and the potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource. Cu=Copper, Au=Gold

 

Savannah's CEO, David Archer said, "We have successfully brought together and analysed a very large body of primary data and defined feasible Exploration Targets, work which underscores the potential of Blocks 4  and 5 as a possible hub for copper mine development.  The availability of the historic drilling was not only highly cost-effective for the Company, with such drilling estimated to cost c.US$20million at today's prices, but importantly significantly shortens the time required to advance the project. Following the compilation and assessment of this, we continue to work towards our 2017 mine development objective and look forward to updating our shareholders on our progress as we move towards building a mining company."

 

Figure 1.  Project Location Map - 
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Data Compilation

 

Savannah has now completed an eight month-long process of locating and digitally capturing from hard copy reports 783 drill holes (102,692m) over a number of the key high priority prospects on Blocks 4 and 5 (Table 1) in Oman. This data is now being integrated into the Company's database for further assessment.

 

Table 1. Summary of Drilling over Key Prospects

 

Deposit

Number of Drill Holes

Metres Drilled

Mahab 4

 57

 6,813

Maqail

 32

2,694 

Lasail

155

18,745

Aarja

144

26,671

Bayda

159

16,229

Others

294

31,540

Total

783

102,692

 

Exploration Targets

 

The Exploration Targets detailed in Table 2 have been estimated by reviewing past JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimates, the preliminary 3D mineralisation envelopes generated from modelling of the new drilling, the extensive drilling database and supporting assay data, topographic data, surface geochemistry and supporting geophysics. Summary maps showing the data used in the Exploration Targets are provided in Figures 2-6.

 

Table 2. Exploration Target Summary Table Block 4 and 5

 

Deposit

Tonnage

Grade % Cu

Grade Au ppm

Contained Cu Tonnes

Contained Au Ounces

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Mahab 4 (UG) High Grade Core

          500,000

      1,000,000

4.0

6.0

0.2

0.5

        20,000

       60,000

        3,000

       16,000

Mahab 4 (UG) Total

      2,000,000

      4,000,000

1.0

2.0

0.1

0.2

        20,000

       80,000

        6,000

       26,000

Maqail South (UG)

          200,000

          250,000

4.0

5.0

0.1

0.2

          8,000

       12,500

        1,000

          2,000

Lasail (OP)

      1,000,000

      2,000,000

1.0

2.0

0.1

0.2

        10,000

       40,000

        3,000

       13,000

Lasail (UG)

      1,000,000

      5,000,000

2.0

3.0

0.1

0.2

        20,000

     150,000

        3,000

       32,000

Aarja (OP)

          500,000

      2,000,000

1.5

3.0

0.2

0.5

          7,500

       60,000

        3,000

       32,000

Aarja (UG)

      1,000,000

      2,000,000

2.0

3.0

0.2

0.5

        20,000

       60,000

        6,000

       32,000

Bayda (OP)

      3,000,000

    10,000,000

0.7

1.5

0.2

0.5

        21,000

     150,000

      19,000

     161,000

Bayda (UG)

          500,000

      1,000,000

2.0

3.0

0.2

0.5

        10,000

       30,000

        3,000

       16,000

Others (Zuha, Ghayth etc)

      1,000,000

      2,000,000

1.5

3.0

0.2

0.5

        15,000

       60,000

        6,000

       32,000

Total

    10,700,000

    29,250,000

1.4

2.4

0.2

0.4

     150,000

     700,000

      60,000

     360,000

 

It is important to note that the above table and figures 2-6 are a summary of Exploration Targets and the potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource. Savannah has an indirect 65% interest in Mahab 4 and Maqail deposits and is earning an indirect 65% interest in the other deposits.

 

Figure 2. Aarja Exploration Target showing information used to calculate the target -

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Figure 3. Bayda Exploration Target showing information used to calculate the target -

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Figure 4. Lasail Exploration Target showing information used to calculate the target -

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Figure 5. Mahab 4. Exploration Target showing information used to calculate the target - http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Figure 6. Maqail South Exploration Target showing information used to calculate the target - http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8877I_-2015-12-13.pdf

 

Competent Person

The information in this announcement relating to Exploration Targets and Exploration Results has been compiled by Mr Dale Ferguson, Technical Director of Savannah Resources Limited. Mr Ferguson is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (JORC Code). Mr Ferguson consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

**ENDS**

 

For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com or contact:

 

David Archer

Savannah Resources plc

Tel: +44 20 7389 5019

David Hignell / Gerry Beaney (Nominated Adviser)

Northland Capital Partners Ltd

Tel: +44 20 7382 1100

Jon Belliss / Elliot Hance

(Corporate Broker)

Beaufort Securities Ltd

Tel: +44 20 7382 8300

Felicity Winkles/ Charlotte Heap

St Brides Partners Ltd

Tel: +44 20 7236 1177

 

 

Notes

Savannah Resources Plc (AIM: SAV) is a growth oriented, multi-commodity, exploration and development company.

 

Savannah has agreed to acquire 100% of Matilda Minerals Limitada which currently operates the Jangamo exploration project, and has agreed with Rio Tinto to form a joint venture in Mozambique to develop the combined Mutamba/Jangamo Project.  On 31 December 2014 Savannah announced maiden, 65Mt Inferred Mineral Resource @4.2% total heavy minerals ("THM") at a 2.5% cut-off grade for Jangamo. The Mutamba, Dongane and Chilubane deposits have a combined exploration target of 7-12Bn tonnes at 3-4.5% THM (published in 2008).

 

Savannah has interests in three copper blocks in the highly prospective Semail Ophiolite Belt in Oman. The projects, which have an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7Mt @ 2.2% copper and high grade intercepts of up to 56.35m at 6.21% Cu, with additional gold upside potential, provide Savannah with an excellent opportunity to potentially evolve into a mid-tier copper and gold producer in a relatively short time frame. Together with its Omani partners, Savannah aims to outline further mineral resources to provide the critical mass for a central operating plant to develop the deposits.

 


This information is provided by RNS
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