Publication of Technical Report
AFRICAN CONSOLIDATED RESOURCES PLC.
('ACR' or the 'Company')
Publication of Technical Report
ACR is pleased to announce the publication of a detailed technical
report incorporating geochemical and geophysical data in respect of
the Company's gold, nickel, platinum and diamond projects. This
report details significant exploration results from the 2007-2008
field programme. The full report, including maps and technical
diagrams, is available to download from the Company's website:
www.acrplc.com.
This report has been prepared by Mike Kellow BSc, a member of the
Australian Institute of Geologists and technical director of ACR.
Highlights
Ground electromagnetic (EM) surveys at the Perseverance Project
(Nickel) have defined five conductive anomalies in the footwall of a
thick ultramafic body, which could represent nickel sulphides at
depth. The targets are mostly supported with anomalous nickel and
pathfinder geochemistry, and two of the conductors are overlain by
outcropping gossans. At least one gossan in the trend contains >0.5%
Ni at surface. Further areas show an EM signature that is
prospective for disseminated sulphides, and an IP survey covering
several hundred metres strike length has been planned. These results
cover the first 8km of strike of the ultramafic unit; almost 20km
remains to be explored. Diamond drill rigs have been ordered for the
June quarter to test the five EM conductors.
Surface sampling at Horseshoe (Laterite Nickel) has returned
encouraging nickel grades in the 0.5% to 3% range. The nickel is
concentrated in the saprolitic laterite weathering profile, and forms
a surface layer perhaps 2-3m thick. To date, about 3 square km of
weathered serpentinite has been tested on broad spaced lines using a
Niton portable XRF machine, and grades average 0.9% Ni. Deep test
pits over the full 14 sq km area are in progress. Pit bulk samples
will be submitted to a metallurgical laboratory for heap leaching
tests. ACR is targeting 20-50 mt of laterite Ni ore at Horseshoe, at
grades of approximately 1% Ni.
At the Snakes Head PGE project, detailed mapping has discovered an
additional 3.5 km strike length of platinum reefs, which outcrop in
the north of the project area. Independent consultant Martin
Prendergast now estimates that the chamber controlled by ACR has
potential to host more than 50 million ounces of platinum group
elements. In addition to drill testing the new reefs for thickness
and grade, ACR has commissioned an exploration adit to collect a
500kg sample of the sulphidic platinum mineralisation for
metallurgical testing including float tests.
Diamond Exploration has produced encouraging results from laboratory
studies on 3 kimberlites in the south of the country. Garnet and
chromite chemistry and microprobe analysis has identified G10
garnets, which indicate that the kimberlites tapped the diamond
stability field. Nickel thermometry tests will now be carried out on
the garnet population to assess the likelihood of diamond
preservation.
Perseverance Project (Nickel)
ACR holds almost 30km of strike length of the ultramafic unit hosting
the historical Perseverance nickel mine, approx 120km southwest of
Harare. The Perseverance mine contained both disseminated and
massive-sulphide orebodies, producing overall 4000t of Ni metal at 1%
nickel and 0.4% copper, with palladium also reported in concentrates.
Approximately two thirds of the host ultramafic strike length has
been tested with MMI soil sampling, mapping, and ground magnetics and
electromagnetics (EM). The ground magnetics have been processed to
map the ultramafic unit beneath cover rocks.
Soil Geochemistry: Over 5300 MMI soil samples covering 20km of strike
have been submitted to SGS laboratories, Canada, for mobile metal ion
(MMI) analysis. This has identified a large Ni anomaly (>20,000ppb
Nickel (Ni) plus associated Copper (Cu), Palladium (Pd) and Cobalt
(Co) extending for about 4 km centred over the existing mine. At
least four additional nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum anomalies lie
approximately 4.5km, 7km, 10km and 16 km south of the Perseverance
mine, in an area where ultramafic outcrop is outcropping or inferred
to be lying at shallow depths beneath cover rocks. A sixth Ni anomaly
lies about 1.5 km to the north of the mine in footwall rocks along
the Archaean-Proterozoic basin contact.
Within the main mine anomaly, about 500m southwest of the old pit,
the Ni-Cu-Co-Pd geochemistry forms a crosscutting "flame" that
extends 300m to 500m into the footwall rocks. As the majority of the
mined nickel sulphides were hosted in the footwall rocks below the
serpentinite, this anomaly is highly prospective for remobilised
massive sulphides.
The geochemical anomaly coincides with a magnetic thickening in the
footwall of the ultramafic, and with two EM conductors. The magnetic
feature may represent a channel structure or local thickening which
is very prospective for Kambalda-style nickel mineralisation.
Mapping; Recent field mapping has discovered nickel bearing gossans
(weathered sulphides on surface) within ultramafic sub-outcrop
associated with some of the geochemical anomalies. Initial assays
using ACR's Niton XRF analyser returned grades in the 0.5% to 1%
nickel range. This is encouraging as surface leaching of nickel often
downgrades surface assays. Gossans coincide with electromagnetic (EM)
conductor targets P3 and P4 (see below).
SIROTEM EM surveys to date cover about 8 km of ultramafic south of
the old mine, using 100m coincident ground loops. They have
identified five anomalies (P1-P5), prospective for both massive and
disseminated sulphides. These anomalies have been modelled by Peter
Williams of Mark2 Geophysics, and preliminary drill targets
identified. Infill EM to position drill holes in April-May is
underway. Targets are as follows:
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Conductor |E Loc |N Loc |Dip |Dip |Depth |Strike |Depth |
|Name | | | |Direction |to Top |Length |Extent |
| | | | | | |(m) | |
|-----------+--------+--------+-----+-----------+-------+--------+---------|
|P1 |49,735 |95,950 |75 |270 |95 |400 |350-550 |
|-----------+--------+--------+-----+-----------+-------+--------+---------|
|P2 |50,250 |95,950 |70 |270 |150 |400 |350-550 |
|-----------+--------+--------+-----+-----------+-------+--------+---------|
|P3 |49,210 |91,050 |85 |270 |85 |400 |350-550 |
|-----------+--------+--------+-----+-----------+-------+--------+---------|
|P4 |48,980 |89,150 |90 |270 |140 |400 |350-550 |
|-----------+--------+--------+-----+-----------+-------+--------+---------|
|P5 |50,770 |88,950 |90 |270 |95 |400 |200 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Targets P1 and P2
The main feature of this area, apart from its high resistivity, is a
localised area of increased conductance in the upper 50-80m
immediately south of the Perserverance Pit, and which appears to
occur over the southern extension of the Perserverance host rock.
Within this area there appear to be 2 moderate to weakly conductive,
north south (local grid) units, as has been noted previously. These
appear to have strike lengths of the order of 300-400m. The
increased shallow conductivity occurs over an area of approximately
500m by 650m.
Both of these features (shallow and bedrock) could be due to sulphide
occurrences. The shallow enhanced conductivity could represent a
greater localised degree of weathering (rock converted to clay due to
the weathering of sulphides). The interpreted conductivity of the
bedrock conductors is on the low end of that expected from Nickel
sulphides, and hence if it is due to nickel sulphides, then it is
likely that the sulphides would be of the disseminated variety (there
is no inference as to the tenor of nickel sulphides).
Alternative explanations for the increase in shallow conductivity
include:-
1. An increase in depth of weathering of the host rock.
2. A fault or shearing cross cutting the stratigraphy at this
location.
3. A local aquifer, although this does not appear to be consistent
with mapped geology.
The interpreted bedrock conductors are evident on the northern edge
of this shallower feature.
Target P3
The P3 Target is 5 kilometres south of the Perserverance pit. The
response is that of moderate to weak conductor, and the response is
near coincident with a mapped gossan. No magnetics is available
across this target.
Target P4
Target P4 is further 1200 meters to the south of P3, and has a lower
conductivity and the characteristics of a probable thick conductor.
Again a gossan is mapped proximal to the conductor position. No
magnetics is available across this target.
Target P5
Target P5 lies approximately 900m to the east of P4, and is not
closed off to the south from results to hand. No magnetics is
available across this target. Hence modeling is problematical; as we
are not sure the line is over the central portion of the body.
Notwithstanding this, the body parameters derived from modelling are
shown in the full version of the technical report.
Conclusions
The TEM data indicates a generally very electrically resistive
terrain. The main variation in early time response is located
immediately south of the Perserverance Mine, and although several
explanations are possible, it is considered that it is due to the
weathering of sulphides (due to proximity to the sulphide occurrence
at Perserverance) and possibly a more easily weathered bedrock.
A number of possible bedrock conductors are indicated in the mid-time
channels of the TEM survey. It is recommended that the defined
interpretive positions of possible bedrock conductors be checked
rigorously against geology and geochemistry to ascertain the
prospectivity of these interpreted conductors. Subject to this a
line of detailed TEM should be surveyed to best define the conductor
geometry.
Horseshoe (Laterite Nickel)
ACR controls over 14square km of mineral claims over serpentinites of
the northern Great Dyke, approximately 140km north of Harare.
Widespread lateritic nickel concentration in the 0.5% to 3% range has
been identified on the surface and in shallow pits. Surface sampling
to date has tested an area of about 3 sq km. A total of 372 chip
samples of saprolite on 200m x 25m centres averaged 0.9% Ni (method;
Niton portable XRF). Eighty eight percent of the samples exceeded a
cut-off of 0.5% Ni at an average grade of 1.0% Ni.
Close-spaced sampling of the shallow soil cover over the saprolite in
one valley (approx 800 samples over 04.sq km) also returned average
grades of 1.0% Ni
The current area of ACR claims has potential to contain 20 to 50
million tones of saprolite ore at approximately 1% Ni. New
developments in atmospheric heap leaching mean this project could
benefit from the lower Capex, lower cutoff grades and scaleable
project size compared to the more capital intensive High Pressure
Acid Leach process.
Pitting at 500m centres is underway to determine the thickness and
vertical grade distribution of the laterite blanket. Bulk samples
will be sent for metallurgical testing to determine the feasibility
of heap leaching. Work by previous explorers in the 1980's suggests
that the mineralisation is at least 2m thick in many areas. ACR is
investigating a local source of sulphuric acid for the project.
Pickstone-Peerless and Giant (Gold)
These projects are located in Zimbabwe's Archean Midlands greenstone
belt, approximately 110km south west of Harare, and currently contain
a JORC inferred Resource of 800,000 ounces Au.
ACR is taking the opportunity to assess economic potential in the
deeper portions of the old mines before committing to deep drilling
programmes. Both deposits lie over deep mines with considerable
potential beneath the current drilling levels of 100-150m below
surface. The Pickstone mine was previously worked to 750m below
surface. ACR is also cautious about investing development capital
into gold mines at this time, as the current gold-sales structure
within Zimbabwe does not allow companies to sell gold at the
international gold price.
Block models of Peerless and Concession drill data have been
subjected to a preliminary optimisation study. The objective of the
study is to scope out the potential to conduct open pit mining on the
projects and provide some guidance as to where future drilling should
be directed in order to maximise the effectiveness of that work.
Consultants will be engaged in April to provide firmer estimates of
local operating and capital expenditure costs in the aftermath of the
recent Presidential election.
Should the modelling be favourable, diamond drilling programmes will
be instigated in order to establish additional Resources at depth.
The three deposits lie within 30km of each other and the economics of
a centralised processing plant is being investigated.
Snakes Head PGE Project
The Snakes Head project lies on the Musengezi Chamber at the northern
end of Zimbabwe's Great Dyke, a very large ultramafic intrusion
hosting the world-class Ngezi, Mimosa and Unki PGE projects owned by
Impala Platinum-Zimplats, Aquarius Platinum and Anglo American. The
Musengezi platinum chamber at the Snakes Head project is less
understood, mostly due to its rugged terrain and relatively remote
location. ACR mineral claims cover the full extent of the chamber,
approximately 26,000 ha.
Mapping in late 2007 by consultant Martin Prendergast was carried out
in the northeast of the chamber to explore for extensions of the P1
Pyroxenite unit, hosting the platinum-bearing Main Sulphide Zone
(MSZ), and Lower Sulphide Zone (LSZ).
The mapping has discovered in excess of 3.5 km strike length of
previously unrecognised P1 horizon in mis-mapped "mafic gneiss" to
the north of the known platinum reefs. The gneiss was originally
believed to be part of an older, basement complex, but is now
recognised as altered extensions of the great dyke and a host to the
key platinum horizons.
Resource Potential
Potential PGE contained within the Musengezi Chamber was estimated by
previous operator Cluff Resources at 20-30 Moz PGE at low grade (1 to
1.4 g/t). Mining widths are approximately 4m in both the MSZ and LSZ
which occur only 50m apart at Snakes head, compared with 200m
separation further south.
Completion of the mapping programme and verification of the area
underlain by the P1 layer, combined with knowledge of the existence,
thickness and grade of the MSZ and LSZ reefs by prior drilling, now
allow a minimum Pt resource potential to be estimated for the entire
Snakes Head area for the first time, as follows.
Measurements and assumptions employed in the calculations were:
* Total surface area underlain by the P1 Layer = 60 km2
* Total reef thickness (2 reefs, each 4 m thick) = 8 m
* Tonnage factor = 3.25
* Grade = 1 g/t Pt (plus Pt equivalent of Pd)
The potential resource estimated on this basis is ca.50m oz Pt. This
represents a minimum resource, because the calculations assume a
horizontal reef package and because the P1 Layer in the Fundumwi -
Sohwe Falls blocks most likely extends northwards beneath the
Rushinga gneisses at least as far as the Escarpment Fault. The
subsurface configuration of the P1 Layer remains uncertain, but
incorporating the down-dip extent of the P1 Layer, when accurately
known, will significantly increase the size of the total potential
resource.
Snakes Head mineralisation is typically double the width and half the
grade of the platinum reefs to the south (eg Ngezi). Most reefs to
date are assumed to belong to the axial facies (central zone) of the
original intrusion. There are favourable geological indications the
new reefs may belong to the higher-grade marginal facies which occur
on the edges of the dyke. Drilling or shallow exploration shafts are
required to test the grade and thickness of the new reefs. Enquiries
are underway to source a helicopter or man-portable diamond drill rig
to access sites in the steep terrain.
Metallurgical test work
Bulk samples are required to test the MSZ for flotation
characteristics and other metallurgical factors. For this purpose an
exploration adit is being planned to drive into the MSZ in the
western end of the chamber. About 500kg of unoxidised sulphide reef
will be collected for laboratory work.
Planning of the adit is complete, environmental approvals have been
obtained for the work, and excavations will commence next month. The
adit is expected to take at least 3 months to complete.
Diamond Exploration
Diamond exploration has concentrated on assessing ACR's southern
Zimbabwean kimberlite pipes and associated dykes together with
regional sampling over areas of similar tectonic settings.
Geochemical microprobe results from Mineral Services, South Africa
have confirmed the garnet population was kimberlitic and consisted of
both G9 and G10 garnets indicating that these kimberlites tapped the
diamond stability field. This was also confirmed by consultants
Napier Exploration.
Chrome spinels also plot in and around the diamond stabilizing field.
Ongoing work will include micro-diamond analyses by caustic fusion
and nickel thermometry to determine the affect of the geotherm on
diamond preservation.
Regional Exploration.
Large grass-roots geochemical sampling programmes continue to
generate first-pass gold and basemetals anomalies in the Limpopo
mobile zone, Midlands Greenstone belts, and elsewhere.
The company has set up an in-house sample preparation and assay
laboratory, using portable Niton XRF analysers to assay for a broad
range of base metals and pathfinder elements. The lab can process
over 4,000 samples a month and ACR has three geochemical exploration
teams in the field.
Results of infill sampling of the first-pass anomalies will be
detailed as results become available.
Competent Person
This report was compiled by Mr. Michael Kellow (Technical Director,
ACR).
Michael Kellow (BSc) is a Member of AIG and a full-time employee of
African Consolidated Resources plc. Mr. Kellow 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 2004
Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resource and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code). Michael
Kellow consents to the publication of the report in the form and
context in which it appears.
Enquiries:
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| African Consolidated Resources plc | |
| Andrew Cranswick | +44 7920 189010 |
| Roy Tucker | +44 1622 816918 / +44 7920 |
| | 189012 |
|------------------------------------+------------------------------|
| Ambrian Partners Limited | |
| Richard Brown | +44 20 7634 4700 |
| Richard Greenfield | |
| | |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
Glossary of technical terms:
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Term | Explanation | Acronym |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| adit | mining term describing a | |
| | horizontal underground | |
| | excavation (tunnel) to access | |
| | a mining target | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| aeromagnetics | Magnetic survey carried out | aeromags |
| | with a sensor in an aircraft | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| archaean | rocks greater than 2,600 Ma | |
| | in age | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| As | chemical symbol for arsenic | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Au | chemical symbol for gold | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| banded | chemical sedimentary rock | BIF |
| iron-formation | consisting of iron and quartz | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| base metal | Nickel, copper, lead, zinc | BM |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| capex | "capital expenditure"; cash | |
| | amount required for | |
| | non-operating costs such as | |
| | plant construction and | |
| | equipment | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| chromite | A chromium-rich mineral of | |
| | the spinel group, abundant in | |
| | kimberlite pipes | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| claims | areas allocated by the | |
| | government of Zimbabwe for | |
| | the purposes of exploration | |
| | and exploitation of minerals, | |
| | may be either for gold, | |
| | diamonds or base minerals. | |
| | Synonymous with leases, | |
| | tenements. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| concentrate | normally of metallic minerals | |
| | such as pyrite and | |
| | arsenopyrite after removal of | |
| | gangue | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Conductor | See electromagnetic survey | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| core | Cylindrical sample of rock as | |
| | cut by a diamond drill | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Co | Chemical symbol for cobalt | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Cu | chemical symbol for copper | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| diamond drilling | Drilling method using a | |
| | diamond-impregnated cutting | |
| | bit to obtain a core sample | |
| | of rock | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| dip | the orientation of a planar | |
| | geological feature relative | |
| | to horizontal | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| disseminated | Accumulations of sulphide | |
| sulphide | minerals where the grains are | |
| | not separated by other | |
| | minerals and are not in | |
| | physical contact with each | |
| | other. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| electromagnetic | Geophysical technique using | EM, TEM, |
| survey | electrical currents to detect | SIROTEM |
| | conductive bodies below | |
| | surface. Conductive bodies | |
| | include massive-sulphides | |
| | that may contain base metals | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| EM survey | See electromagnetic survey | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| environmental | assessment of impacts to the | EIA |
| impact assessment | environment likely to be | |
| | caused by any activity | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| environmental | legislation encompassing and | EMA |
| management act | replacing all previous | |
| | environmental legislation | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| environmental | report detailing mitigation | EMP |
| management plan | or avoidance of environmental | |
| | impacts associated with any | |
| | activity; for mining activity | |
| | usually incorporates a mine | |
| | closure plan | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| fault | a fracture or break within a | |
| | body of rock across which | |
| | some movement has occurred | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| felsite | silica rich igneous rock, aka | |
| | felsic volcanic | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| flotation | the process of concentrating | |
| | minerals from finely ground | |
| | slurry by the addition of | |
| | reagents and air | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| fold | geological term for a curve | |
| | or bend of planar surfaces in | |
| | rocks | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| foliation | geological term for planar | |
| | features within rocks | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| G10 garnet | A chemical classification of | |
| | garnets whereby the | |
| | calcium/chromium ratios in | |
| | the G10 field indicates the | |
| | garnets were likely to have | |
| | formed in diamondiferous | |
| | kimberlites. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Garnet | An aluminium-silicate mineral | |
| | common in igneous and | |
| | metamorphic rocks | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| geophysics | Mineral prospecting systems | |
| | designed to detect | |
| | mineralisation using the | |
| | physical properties of rocks. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| global positioning | Navigation and positioning | GPS |
| system | system allowing survey by | |
| | satellite | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| gossan | Oxidized sulphide minerals | |
| | which form distinctive | |
| | iron-rich outcrops with | |
| | sponge-like weathering | |
| | textures; gossans often | |
| | overlie sulphide-rich | |
| | deposits of base metals and | |
| | gold. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| greenstone belt | belts of metamorphosed | |
| | sedimentary and igneous rocks | |
| | of Archaean age | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| hydrothermal | hot, water-rich fluid which | |
| | dissolves and transports | |
| | metals and deposits these in | |
| | suitable geological traps | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| igneous rock | originally molten can be | |
| | volcanic or intrusive | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| IP survey | "Induced Potential" - a | |
| | geophysical technique to | |
| | detect disseminated sulphide | |
| | mineralisation | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| JORC | Joint Ore Reserves Committee | |
| | of the Australasian Institute | |
| | of Mining and Metallurgy | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| kimberlite | igneous rock of ultramafic | |
| | composition forming | |
| | volcanic-pipe structures | |
| | which can host diamonds | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| komatiite | volcanic rock with low silica | |
| | and high magnesium and iron | |
| | contents, common host to | |
| | nickel deposits | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| laterite | highly weathered rock, | |
| | usually conforms to a | |
| | consistent weathering pattern | |
| | from surface and often | |
| | redistributes gold, nickel or | |
| | aluminium to ore grade | |
| | concentrations above the | |
| | primary source at depth. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| lodes | Higher grade portion of | |
| | mineralised zones, usually | |
| | with specific orientation | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| lower sulphide zone | tabular, layered mineralised | LSZ |
| | portion of the Great Dyke, | |
| | generally of lower PGE grade | |
| | than the MSZ | |
| | | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| magnetic survey | measurements of the | |
| | perturbation in the earth's | |
| | magnetic field caused by | |
| | magnetic minerals in rocks | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| main sulphide zone | tabular, layered mineralised | MSZ |
| | portion of the Great Dyke | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| massive sulphide | Bodies of sulphide minerals | |
| | where the grains are in | |
| | physical contact; these | |
| | bodies can become electrical | |
| | conductors (see EM surveys) | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| metamorphism | changes in the mineral | |
| | compositions of rocks due to | |
| | increased temperature and/or | |
| | pressure normally during | |
| | burial | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| mineralisation | metallic minerals such as | |
| | gold, base metals, pyrite and | |
| | arsenopyrite incorporated in | |
| | rocks | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| mineralised zones | hydrothermally altered | |
| | structural features | |
| | containing potentially | |
| | valuable minerals | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Mobile metal ion | assay technique using a | MMI |
| analysis | proprietary chemical leach to | |
| | obtain a broad range of | |
| | elements from soil samples | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Ni | chemical symbol for nickel | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| orebody | economically viable portion | |
| | of a mineralised zone | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Pd | Chemical symbol for palladium | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| platinum group | platinum, palladium, rhodium | PGE |
| elements | (ruthenium and iridium) | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| Pt | Chemical symbol for platinum | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| pyrite | iron sulphide mineral often | |
| | associated with gold | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| pyrrhotite | iron sulphide mineral | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| quality control | procedures to ensure the | QC |
| | accuracy of all results | |
| | obtained from any activity, | |
| | particularly sampling and | |
| | assays | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| quality assurance | process of recording all | QA, QA/QC |
| | quality control procedures | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| quartz | silicon oxide mineral very | |
| | common in hydrothermal | |
| | deposits | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| resource | mineral resource as defined | |
| | by the JORC Code 2004 | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| reverse circulation | rotary percussion drilling | RC |
| drilling | whereby the sample is | |
| | returned from the cutting | |
| | head inside the rod string to | |
| | surface thereby avoiding | |
| | contamination from the walls | |
| | of the hole | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| rotary air blast | Open-hole drilling whereby | RAB |
| drilling | drill cuttings are returned | |
| | to surface by compressed air | |
| | in an un-lined hole; | |
| | contamination is possible | |
| | from the walls of the hole. | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| saprolite | In-situ weathered rock | |
| | vertically located at the | |
| | bottom of the lateritic | |
| | weathering profile. Can be | |
| | host to nickel laterite ore | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| schist | metamorphic rock with well | |
| | developed foliation | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| serpentinite | magnesium iron silicate of | |
| | metamorphic origin | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| shale | clay-rich sedimentary rock, | Black shale |
| | when black or carbonaceous | |
| | normally contains carbon | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| shear zone | zone of multiple fractures or | |
| | discontinuities in rock, | |
| | either ductile or brittle | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| siltstone | fine grained usually quartz | |
| | rich sedimentary rock; where | |
| | calcareous contains calcium | |
| | or magnesium carbonate | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| SIROTEM | See electromagnetic survey | EM, TEM |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| siting of works | statutory submission required | |
| plan | ahead of any mining activity | |
| | | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| stockworks | zone of multiple quartz | |
| | filled fractures with | |
| | individual veins often of | |
| | random orientation | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| strike | the horizontal orientation of | |
| | a planar geological feature | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| sulphide | sulphur bearing metallic | |
| | mineral | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| synform | geological term for an upward | |
| | facing fold | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| talc | magnesium iron silicate mica | |
| | of metamorphic origin | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| tenement | an area encompassing a number | |
| | of blocks of claims | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| thrust | shallow dipping fault where | |
| | the upper body of rock | |
| | overrides the lower portion | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| ultramafic | dark silicate mineral or rock | |
| | with high magnesium and iron | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| variogram | mathematical representation | |
| | of spatial variability | |
| | between data | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| wireframe | computer generated volume | |
| | boundary, usually around | |
| | lithological or Resource | |
| | zones | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| XRF | X-Ray fluorescence; an assay | |
| | technique using x-rays to | |
| | measure element | |
| | concentrations in a sample | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| UNITS | | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| cm.g/t | centimetre grams per tonne - | |
| | metal content expressed as | |
| | grade times thickness | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| g | gramme | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| g/t | grammes per metric tonne - | |
| | metal concentration | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| ha | hectare | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| kg | kilogramme, a thousand | |
| | grammes | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| km | kilometre | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| koz | thousand ounces | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| kt | thousand metric tonnes | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| kv | thousand volt | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| kva | thousand volt amperes | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| m | metre | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| mm | millimetre | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| µm | micron, or millionth of a | |
| | metre | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| mt | million metric tonnes | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| moz | million ounces | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| oz | fine troy ounce equaling | |
| | 31.1048 grammes - normal unit | |
| | used in selling gold | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| ppb | parts per billion | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| ppm | parts per million, equivalent | |
| | to g/t | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| t | metric tonne | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| t/m3 | density measured as metric | |
| | tonnes per cubic metre | |
|---------------------+-------------------------------+-------------|
| ° | degrees | |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
---END OF MESSAGE---
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