REG - Empire Metals Ltd - Diamond Drilling at Pitfield Completed

Empire MetalsAnnouncement

24/10/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 3865J  Empire Metals Limited  24 October 2024

Empire Metals Limited / LON: EEE / Sector: Natural Resources

24 October 2024

Empire Metals Limited

("Empire" or "the Company")

 

Diamond Drilling at Pitfield Completed

Titanium-rich Weathered Cap Significantly Thicker than Anticipated

 

 

Empire Metals Limited (LON: EEE), the AIM-quoted resource exploration and
development company, is pleased to announce that the diamond core drilling
programme at the Pitfield Project ('Pitfield'), located in Western Australia,
has been completed, identifying new extensive, thick zones of strongly
weathered "saprolite" cap.  Samples will be used primarily for metallurgical
testwork and flowsheet development as well as informing the plans for further
diamond core and reverse circulation ('RC') drilling aimed at defining a
maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ('MRE') in 2025.

 

Highlights

 

·    Diamond core drill programme completed on schedule, with five holes
drilled to planned depths at both the Thomas and Cosgrove Exploration Target
areas for a total of 679 metres.

 

·    All drill holes encountered extensive weathered zones from very near
surface to depths of around 60 metres, nearly double that previous encountered
at the Cosgrove and Thomas prospects, confirming the extremely soft and
friable nature of the bedded sandstones in this weathered zone.

 

·    These significantly deeper intercepts of weathered sandstones at both
target areas bode well for the development of a large scale Mineral Resource
Estimate for the higher-grade, high-purity anatase-rich weathered cap.

 

·    Excellent recovery of core was achieved which will primarily be used
for metallurgical testwork and process flowsheet development including:

 

o  standard hardness and grindability tests to determine the energy input
needed to liberate the titanium-bearing minerals from gangue minerals
contained in the rocks; and

o  bulk composites of the weathered zone for mineral separation and titanium
extraction testwork.

 

·    The key observation from core logging is that the material
characteristics of these highly weathered bedded sandstones will mean easier
mining conditions and significantly less energy consumption required for
comminution.

 

·    With the completion of this diamond core drilling programme the
Company has now drilled 100 RC holes for a total of 14,988m and 17 diamond
core holes for a total of 2,704m.

 

 

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: "I am pleased to provide an update on
what has been an extraordinarily successful diamond drill campaign. Core
logging has confirmed the extensive depth of weathering, well over 60 metres
from surface in the zones targeted, where our geoscientists had predicted they
would be based on the previous drill sample logging and geochemical assay
results. This logging data will help verify the geological model used for the
Exploration Target estimates (announced 12 June 2024) and allow us to reduce
our search area radius for high-grade, anatase rich mineralisation and hence
reduce the size and cost of the next phase of drilling ahead of defining a
maiden MRE.

 

"Furthermore, the excellent recovery of drill core achieved throughout the
campaign ensures that we have more than sufficient representative samples of
the weathered zone to accelerate the mineral separation testwork. Gravity
testwork is continuing on previously collected samples of the fresh bedrock
throughout October and November, in order to evaluate the effect of grind size
on particle liberation and to produce mineral concentrate samples for
preliminary hydrometallurgical testing. Other mineral separation processes
being assessed include magnetic separation and froth flotation. As soon as the
weathered core samples from this campaign are available, expected within
weeks, a duplicate mineral separation testwork programme will commence."

 

Observations and Logging Results from Diamond Core Programme September-October
2024

The current diamond core drilling programme has been completed, with a total
of ten diamond core drill holes at the Thomas and Cosgrove Prospects,
identifying extensive weathered material for analysis (Figure 1). This
drilling has provided invaluable geological insight into the weathering
profiles at both prospects, confirming the depth of weathering, and
identifying various aspects of the weathered profile including the intensity
of the weathering and structures within the weathered rock mass.

 

 

 Figure 1: Grey scale magnetics map overlain by airborne gravity results with the location of all drillholes and the ten recently drilled diamond core drillholes highlighted by blue diamonds.

The weathering profiles vary across both prospects, which is to be expected.
The data collected from the core logging will significantly improve the
current geological model's weathering profile and allow the thickness and
intensity of weathering to be tied back to the geochemical and mineralogical
results. This will allow the exploration team to focus the next drill campaign
on defining areas of high-grade, high-purity anatase-rich mineralisation and
help reduce the size and cost of drilling ahead of defining a maiden MRE.

 

The geological observations from the drill core collected across both
prospects have identified that under thin lateritic or soil cover lies an
intensely weathered zone where the original rock mass has been completely
altered to saprolite.  All elements of the original rock type, whether
sandstone, conglomerate or siltstone have been altered, with an abundance of
cream-coloured kaolinite now present. Lying beneath this saprolite are
weathered and partially weathered basement rocks, being the more recognisable
sandstones, siltstones and conglomerates seen throughout the sedimentary
basin.  The weathered rocks within this zone are extremely friable and tend
to be incredibly soft, with a knife easily inserted into the drill core.  The
hardness and strength of the rock increases with depth as the profile
transitions out of the weathered zone into the partly weathered, transitional
zone. Ultimately the partly weathered profile transitions into fresh bedrock,
generally over a width of several metres, and here the rocks become stronger
and the drill core becomes more competent.

Figure 2. Diamond Core drilling at the Thomas Prospect.

A notable difference between the Cosgrove and Thomas prospects is that the
intensity of weathering is stronger at the Thomas property with slightly
thicker, more consistent saprolite and generally deeper weathering (Figure
3).  There are zones at Cosgrove that show these characteristics, however
these are on the western margin of the prospect where it has been drilled.

 

Figure 3: Cross Section from Thomas Prospect showing weathered cap profile
(refer Figure 1 for Section A-B from 6724500N.)

Diamond Core results from Thomas Exploration Target

There were five diamond holes drilled for 367.8m across the Thomas prospect.
The initial four holes were drilled to evaluate the central zone where the
better RC results in the weathered profile were previously identified.  These
four holes (DD24TOM004-DD24TOM007) were designed to map the weathering profile
from east to west and north to south to determine the depth of weathering, the
intensity of weathering and the thicknesses and structure of the various
weathering zones.

 

Each of the four holes have a laterite cover which extends between 6-14m from
surface. Previous drilling has shown that this laterite cover is titaniferous.
Logging of the four holes shows that the depth of weathering on the western
side of the prospect is greater than the eastern side, with a thicker
saprolitic profile ranging between 50-54m being some 10-12m greater than that
observed on the eastern side. This closely fits the data from the previous RC
drilling which also shows a decrease in thickness of weathering to the south.

Figure 4: DD24TOM004 showing saprolite at top of hole before transitioning
into extremely weathered sandstone (4.6m - 16.4m).

Hole DD24TOM008 was drilled to assess the weathering profile between two RC
holes that intercepted high-grade mineralised zones of weathered sandstone,
RC24TOM002 and RC24TOM003.

 

The diamond core hole from this programme intercepted 14m of saprolite at the
top and cut the base of the weathering at 58m. This depth is approximately 10m
deeper than the RC holes, based on empirical observation which will need to be
confirmed with geochemical data.

 

Structural data at the Thomas Exploration Target indicates that the beds are
dipping between 30 and 50 degrees to the southeast, the same as observed from
previous drilling.

 

Table 1: Diamond Core Drill Holes and Weathered Zone Profiles for Thomas
Prospect

 Hole ID     Total Metres Drilled  Highly Weathered Zone (m range)  Highly Weathered Zone (total metres)  Comments
 DD24TOM004  75.4m                 6m to 56m                        50m                                   Laterite cap to 6m
 DD24TOM005  81.4m                 6m to 60m                        54m                                   Laterite cap to 6m
 DD24TOM006  72.6m                 5m to 58m                        53m                                   Laterite cap to 5m
 DD24TOM007  65.8m                 14m to 57m                       43m                                   Laterite cap to 14m
 DD24TOM008  72.6m                 1m to 58m                        57m                                   Soil cover
 Total       367.8m

 

Diamond Core results from Cosgrove Exploration Target

There were five diamond holes drilled for 311.2m across the Cosgrove
prospect.  There were four holes (DD24COS005-DD24COS007) drilled to evaluate
the northerly zone and one drill hole (DD25COS004) was designed to assess the
western margin of known weathered mineralisation.  All five drill holes were
designed to map the weathering profile across the prospect to determine the
depth of weathering, the intensity of weathering and the thicknesses and
structure of the various weathering zones.

 

The four holes drilled in the north identified 5-14m of saprolite below a
laterite cap. The depth of weathering is between 39-55m. Hole DD24COS004
intersected 11m of saprolite and 52m of underlying weathered bedrock. The
depth of weathering is more variable at Cosgrove from south to north and east
to west. The geochemical data from these holes will be instructive to
understanding the link between the weathering profile and grade.

 

 

Figure 5: DD24COS005 showing smaller saprolite zone before transitioning into
extremely weathered sandstone (7.3m - 17.1m).

 

Table 2: Diamond Core Drill Holes and Weathered Zone Profiles for Cosgrove
Prospect

 Hole ID     Total Metres Drilled  Highly Weathered Zone (m range)  Highly Weathered Zone (total metres)  Comments
 DD24COS004  78.7m                 11m to 63m                       52m                                   Laterite cap to 11m
 DD24COS005  48.7m                 0m to 45m                        45m                                   Drilled in to weathered bedrock
 DD24COS006  48.4m                 1m to 44m                        43m                                   Soil cover
 DD24COS007  62.7m                 1m to 50                         49m                                   Soil cover
 DD24COS008  72.7m                 1m to 60m                        59m                                   Soil cover
 Total       311.2m

 

Ongoing and Planned Metallurgical Testwork

Metallurgical drill core will be used to further the process flowsheet
development work. This drill campaign has provided samples in both weathered
and fresh zones of the mineralisation.

 

Samples will be used for a range of tests including:

 

-     Individual intervals for standard hardness and grindability tests

-     Domain / zone based bulk composites for mineral separation and
titanium extraction testwork.

 

The hardness and grindability testwork will provide information on energy
input needed to liberate the titanium-bearing minerals from gangue minerals
contained in the rocks. In particular the technical team are looking to
understand how the rocks break and the difference between the weathered and
fresh rock in terms of energy required to achieve liberation. This information
will guide equipment selection, cost of processing and give an early
indication of variability within the mineralisation.

 

Understanding variability will assist in sample selection and number of
samples that should be tested in the next phases of the studies.

 

Once individual samples have been tested through the hardness and grindability
process, the available samples will be blended into larger bulk composites for
mineral separation and extraction testwork.

At this stage in the project bulk samples are used to compare different
separation techniques and test variables for each technique ensuring that the
only difference between tests is the test itself, and not the sample being
evaluated.

 

Both weathered and fresh rock bulk composites will be produced, to study the
metallurgical response for these mineralisation types separately.

 

The treatment for these samples will build on what has been learnt so far
about the mineralisation of the Pitfield Project. In mineral separation the
key focus areas will be gravity separation, magnetic separation and froth
flotation.

 

Titanium extraction testwork has commenced on preliminary concentrate samples,
and whole of ore, in order to evaluate concepts from research, literature and
industry. Some of the new samples will be used in a similar way, and some of
the sample will be reserved for a bulk run through a minerals separation test
to produce bulk mineral concentrate for hydrometallurgical testing.

 

The Pitfield Titanium Project

Located within the Mid-West region of Western Australia, near the northern
wheatbelt town of Three Springs, Pitfield lies 313km north of Perth and 156km
south of Geraldton, the Mid West region's capital and major port. Western
Australia is ranked as one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world
according to the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index published
in 2023, and has mining-friendly policies, stable government, transparency,
and advanced technology expertise. Pitfield has existing connections to port
(both road & rail), HV power substations, and is nearby to natural gas
pipelines as well as a green energy hydrogen fuel hub, which is under planning
and development (refer Figure 2).

Figure 6. Pitfield Project Location showing the Mid-West Region Infrastructure
and Services

 

Competent Person Statement

The technical information in this report that relates to the Pitfield Project
has been compiled by Mr Andrew Faragher, an employee of Eclipse Exploration
Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Empire. Mr Faragher is a Member of the
Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Faragher has sufficient
experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit
under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a
Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr
Faragher consents to the inclusion in this release of the matters based on his
information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed
inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No
596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act
2018, until the release of this announcement.

 

**ENDS**

 

For further information please visit www.empiremetals.co.uk
(http://www.empiremetals.co.uk)   or contact:

 Empire Metals Ltd

 Shaun Bunn / Greg Kuenzel / Arabella Burwell                                            Tel: 020 4583 1440
 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker)                                      Tel: 020 3470 0470

 Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl
 Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint Broker)                                               Tel: 020 7186 9950

 Damon Heath
 St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial                                                       Tel: 020 7236 1177
 PR)

 Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page

 

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals is an AIM-listed exploration and resource development company
(LON: EEE) with a primary focus on developing Pitfield, an emerging giant
titanium project in Western Australia.

 

Exploration activity at Pitfield has confirmed the discovery of a new giant
mineralised system extending over 40km by 8km by 5km deep. Drilling campaigns
have confirmed high-grade TiO₂ mineralised zones across thick bedded
intervals to a vertical depth of ~350m, confirming Pitfield as a world class,
district-scale titanium mineral system.

 

Empire is now accelerating the economic development of Pitfield, with the
objective of becoming a leading producer of high value titanium dioxide
products.

 

The Company also has two further exploration projects in Australia; the
Eclipse Project and the Walton Project in Western Australia, in addition to
three precious metals projects located in a historically high-grade gold
producing region of Austria.

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