REG - Empire Metals Ltd - Extensive, Shallow High-Grade Bedded Ti Confirmed

Empire MetalsAnnouncement

22/01/2024 07:15

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RNS Number : 3720A  Empire Metals Limited  22 January 2024

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

 

22 January 2024

Empire Metals Limited

('Empire' or the 'Company')

 

Recent Drilling Confirms Extensive, Shallow High-Grade Bedded Titanium
Mineralisation

 

Empire Metals Limited (LON: EEE), the AIM-quoted resource exploration and
development company, is pleased to announce the analytical lab results from
the recently completed Reverse Circulation ('RC') drilling programme at the
Pitfield Project in Western Australia ('Pitfield' or the 'Project'), which has
successfully identified extensive, shallow zones of high-grade, bedded
sandstone-hosted TiO(2) mineralisation.

 

Highlights

 

·    Analytical lab results have now been received for the entire 40 RC
drillhole programme completed in December 2023, confirming:

o  TiO(2) mineralisation present in every metre, starting from or near
surface, in all holes drilled;

o  all drillholes ended in TiO(2) mineralisation; and

o  broad, higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation in the sandstone-rich beds,
which consistently return higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation than the adjacent
conglomerate or siltstone-rich beds.

 

·    The RC drilling has shown that the shallow sandstone-rich beds, and
the associated higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation, are continuous with the
deeper high-grade diamond drillhole intersections drilled in Q4 2023
(DD23TOM001 and DD23COS001; RNS dated 29 November 2023) confirming that there
is an abundance of thick, strongly mineralised sandstone beds that come to
surface within broad, plus 1.5km wide areas of this giant mineral system and
that these mineralised beds have a strike extent of at least 6 to 7km.

 

·    Every drillhole encountered thick intervals of higher grade TiO(2)
mineralisation (refer Table 1. Significant Intercepts), with a select number
of the more outstanding drill intervals highlighted as follows:

o  RC23TOM002 intersected 168m @ 6.91% TiO(2) from 12m;

o  RC23TOM003 intersected 180m @ 6.14% TiO(2) from 0m;

o  RC23COS004 intersected 154m @ 5.50% TiO(2) from 0m; and

o  RC23COS005 intersected 148m @ 6.18% TiO(2) from 6m.

 

·    It is clear from the results of this RC drilling that the
higher-grade mineralisation is found within the more highly altered sandstone
beds. The conglomerates and the siltstones are still mineralised, but not to
the same extent as the sandstones. This provides a targeting tool for further
exploration where previous mapping and rock chip sampling identified
high-grade TiO(2) mineralisation within sandstones that can be prioritised for
the next round of drilling.

 

•     Additional RC drilling, which is planned to commence later this
quarter, will focus on further testing the known areas of extensive, thick,
shallow, sandstone-rich beds containing higher grade TiO(2) mineralisation as
well as several new target areas of high-grade potential identified along the
length of the coincident regional magnetics-gravity anomaly

 

·    Mineralogical studies and metallurgical test work being expanded
towards accelerating the economic development of the Pitfield Project.

 

Shaun Bunn, Managing Director, said: "This second, highly successful RC
drilling campaign has identified extensive shallow sandstone-rich beds that
contain higher-grade titanium mineralisation, verifying our geological models
and providing a high degree of confidence in our ability to target higher
grade mineralisation elsewhere within this giant mineral system, which will
allow us to accelerate other activities essential for the economic development
of this project. A key highlight from all of our drilling to date is that out
of the 61 RC holes and the three diamond drill holes completed so far, all but
one RC drillhole intercepted thick beds of high-grade TiO(2) mineralisation,
and that the single barren RC drill hole was terminated near surface due to
thick sand cover that collapsed the drill collar. Subsequent RC drilling below
the sand cover has confirmed TiO(2) mineralisation.

 

"Our third RC drilling campaign is scheduled to start this quarter and we are
extremely excited by the prospect of making further high-grade discoveries
along the 40km by 8km giant mineral system as well as providing additional
metallurgical samples of the already proven areas of near surface,
higher-grade mineralisation, which we see as integral in supporting an
economic mine development plan."

 

Empire holds a 70% interest in Pitfield which is comprised of four granted
Exploration Licences (E70/5465, E70/5876, E70/6320 and E70/6323) covering
1,042km(2). Pitfield is located near Three Springs, a town 313km north of
Perth, Western Australia on the Midlands Road, which until the opening of the
Brand Highway in 1975 was the main road route from Perth to the state's north
(refer Figure 1).

 

The Pitfield Project

Figure 1. Pitfield Project Location showing the scale of the magnetics anomaly
and coincident alteration footprint.

RC Drilling Programme #2 - November to December 2023 - Overview of Drill
Results

The analytical lab results from the second RC drilling campaign, a 40 RC
drillhole programme totalling a combined 5,718m, have now been received and
are summarised in Table 1: "Significant Drill Results".  The drilling was
undertaken along the 30km length of the high-density gravity core identified
within the regional magnetics anomaly, with particular focus being placed on
the higher-grade mineralised areas identified through recent rock chip
sampling, geological mapping and diamond drillholes (refer Figure 2).

The RC drilling has shown that these shallower sandstone-rich beds, and the
associated higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation, are continuous with the deeper
high-grade diamond drillhole intersections drilled in Q4 2023 (DD23TOM001 and
DD23COS001; RNS dated 29 November 2023) and confirms that there is an
abundance of thick, strongly mineralised beds that come to surface within
broad areas of this giant mineral system.

The RC drilling covered a strike length of over 25 kms and identified
near-surface areas containing high-grade TiO(2) mineralisation that had not
previously been drill-tested. The TiO(2) mineralisation was intersected in
every metre of every drillhole, starting from or near surface, and all
drillholes ended in TiO(2) mineralisation. The drilling confirmed that there
is extensive, higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation in the thick sandstone-rich
beds, which are returning consistently higher-grade TiO(2) mineralisation than
the adjacent conglomerate or siltstone-rich beds.

Figure 2. Grey-scale magnetics map overlain by airborne gravity survey results
showing recent RC drillhole locations, previous diamond core drillholes and
maiden RC drillholes.

As seen in the previous drilling campaigns, the bedded sedimentary rocks have
undergone extensive hydrothermal alteration, displaying a basin-wide
alteration assemblage of hematite-carbonate-epidote. Cross-stratal
carbonate-quartz veining is also common. The highest grade mineralisation
intersected to date is within the central and southern parts of the regional
magnetics anomaly, where drill intervals have averaged around 150m grading
better than 5.0% TiO(2).  These holes were drilled into what appears to be
coarser sandstones, which potentially had greater porosity and permeability
allowing for more intense alteration and mineralisation.  There is evidence
of increased carbonate, epidote and hematite alteration within these
sandstones which correlates with increased TiO(2) grade.

The results from this RC drill programme continue to further define the giant
scale of this titanium-rich mineral system, with all holes intersecting
significant intervals of higher grade TiO(2) mineralisation.  In addition,
these results help to improve our geological understanding of the Yandanooka
Basin, and in particular the place of higher grade TiO(2) mineralisation
within sandstone-rich beds within this basin. (refer Figure 3).

 

Figure 3: Simplified geological section of the Yandanooka Basin. Note the
sandstone-rich beds which are host to higher grade TiO(2) mineralisation.
West-East section looking North.

Focus on Shallow, High-Grade Exploration Targets - Areas for Potential Mine
Development

The exploration focus has shifted from the original drilling targets at Mt
Scratch to two extensive, high-grade zones which were previously identified by
surface sampling and subsequently confirmed by recent diamond drilling.  With
the addition of these latest RC drilling results there is good evidence that
these high-grade, sandstone-rich beds are continuous across several kms of
strike length.  There is also evidence that additional strike-extensive,
thick, high-grade sandstone-rich beds are present and parallel the high-grade
sandstone-rich bed intersected in this drill programme.  However, to
accelerate the economic development of this project towards potential mine
development, a focus has been placed upon further delineation, sampling,
mineralogical study and metallurgical testing of this particular
strike-extensive, thick high-grade mineralised bedded zone.

A clustering of higher TiO(2) values in rocks was evident from the geological
mapping and rock chip sampling programme (announced 13 November 2023), which
identified a high-grade area over 3km by 2km ('TOM') in the vicinity of
diamond drillhole #2 (DD23TOM001), as well as a 3km by 1km area ('COS') close
to diamond drillhole #3 (DD23COS001), where the geochemical analysis of half
the rock chip samples exceeded 8% TiO(2).

The three diamond drillholes, completed in September-October 2023, intersected
strong, sediment-hosted titanium mineralisation throughout the length of each
hole, including thick, higher grade, bedded intervals, with the bottom of each
hole stopped in mineralisation (announced 29 November 2023).

Sampling of the near-surface tops of the diamond drillholes was impractical
due to weathering and the friable nature of the near surface sedimentary core
samples. Therefore, one of the main objectives for the second RC drill
programme was to drill-test this near-surface zone and demonstrate up-dip
extensions of the high-grade mineralised sandstone dominant beds that were
intersected by the diamond drilling.

The RC programme included 10 drillholes in the TOM area, which is at the
southern end of the overall giant mineral system (refer Figure 4).  All of
the drill holes at TOM were strongly mineralised, with half of the drillholes
having mineralisation grading over ~5.0% TiO(2).

RC23TOM002, which intersected 168m @ 6.91% TiO(2) from 12m depth, was drilled
to target the shallow up-dip interval of the higher-grade bedded
mineralisation previously reported in diamond drill hole DD23TOM001, which
intersected 297.1m @ 6.10% TiO(2) from 111.4m.  The RC drill interval
confirms that the higher-grade, broad, sandstone-bedded mineralisation comes
to surface at an interpreted 65 degree dip angle, as depicted in Figure 5.

The most significant drillholes from TOM, which are all aligned along the
western side of the TOM target and bound an area of greater than 1km by 1km,
include:

§ RC23TOM002 intersected 168m @ 6.91% TiO(2) from 12m;

§ RC23TOM003 intersected 180m @ 6.14% TiO(2) from 0m;

§ RC23TOM004 intersected 154m @ 5.38% TiO(2) from 0m; and

§ RC23TOM005 intersected 154m @ 5.13% TiO2 from 0m.

 

Figure 4: TOM area drilling locations over aerial  image

Figure 5: TOM Cross Section 6726500 N showing interpreted geology and
confirmation of up-dip extension of higher-grade TiO(2) mineralised
sandstone-rich bed.  West-East section looking North.

The RC programme also included 13 drillholes into the COS area, which is
located in the central western portion of the giant mineral system (refer
Figure 6).  All of the drill holes at COS were strongly mineralised, with
several of the drillholes intersecting intervals of mineralisation grading
over 4% TiO(2).

RC23COS011, which intersected 154m @ 4.53% TiO(2) from 0m, was drilled to
target the shallow up-dip interval of the higher-grade bedded mineralisation
previously reported in diamond drill hole DD23COS001 which intersected 173.2m
@ 5.76% TiO(2) from 18.6m.

The more significant drillholes from COS, which are generally aligned to the
western half of the COS target include:

 

§ RC23COS004 intersected 154m @ 5.50% TiO(2) from 0m;

§ RC23COS005 intersected 148m @ 6.18% TiO(2) from 6m.

§ RC23COS006 intersected 154m @ 5.18% TiO(2) from 0m;

§ RC23COS007 intersected 154m @ 5.79% TiO(2) from 0m; and

§ RC23COS009 intersected 154m @ 5.01% TiO(2) from 0m.

 

Figure 6: COS area drilling locations over aerial image

Future Work

The planned third programme of RC drilling is scheduled to start later this
quarter, consisting of an additional 40 drillholes for approximately 6,000m,
which will test new areas identified as potentially having high-grade,
near-surface TiO(2) mineralised beds as well as follow-up testing of the known
areas of interest which have confirmed thick, high-grade, near-surface bedded
TiO(2) mineralisation with 6 to 7km strike extent.

 

It is additionally planned to continue and expand the mineralogical studies
that have been initiated towards defining representative host mineral
assemblages, with results expected to provide important information towards
economic assessment, including potential processing routes and to accelerate
the overall development of the Pitfield Project.

 

Significant Drill Results

 Hole ID      Depth From (m)  Depth To (m)  EOH (m)  Interval (m)  Grade (TiO(2) %)  Intercept
 RC23COS002   6               96            96       90            4.00%             90m @ 4.00% TiO2 from 6.0m
 RC23COS003   10              70            70       60            4.00%             60m @ 4.00% TiO2 from 10.0m
 RC23COS004   0               154           154      154           5.50%             154m @ 5.50% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS005   6               154           154      148           6.18%             148m @ 6.18% TiO2 from 6.0m
 RC23COS006   0               154           154      154           5.18%             154m @ 5.18% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS007   0               154           154      154           5.79%             154m @ 5.79% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS008   0               154           154      154           2.77%             154.0m @ 2.77% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS009   0               154           154      154           5.01%             154.0m @ 5.01% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS010   0               154           154      154           4.98%             154.0m @ 4.98% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS011   0               154           154      154           4.53%             154.0m @ 4.53% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS012   28              126           154      126           2.42%             126.0m @ 2.42% TiO2 from 28.0m
 RC23COS013   0               148           148      148           2.38%             148.0m @ 2.38% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23COS014   2               148           148      146           3.32%             146.0m @ 3.32% TiO2 from 2.0m
 RC23KAD001   0               148           148      148           3.40%             148.0m @ 3.4% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23KAD002   0               148           148      148           3.28%             148.0m @ 3.28% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23KAD003   0               118           118      118           3.30%             118.0m @ 3.30% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23KAD004   0               148           148      148           4.06%             148.0m @ 4.06% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23KAD005B  0               148           148      148           4.62%             148.0m @ 4.62% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23KAD006   14              148           148      134           3.34%             134.0m @ 3.34% TiO2 from 14.0m
 RC23KAD007   2               148           148      146           3.59%             146.0m @ 3.59% TiO2 from 2.0m
 RC23KAD008   0               148           148      148           4.33%             148.0m @ 4.33% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23MUT002   0               148           148      148           2.54%             148.0m @ 2.54% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23MUT003   0               148           148      148           4.48%             148.0m @ 4.48% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23MUT004   0               142           142      142           4.35%             142.0m @ 4.35% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23MUT005   0               148           148      148           4.57%             148.0m @ 4.57% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23MUT006   8               128           128      120           4.77%             120.0m @ 4.77% TiO2 from 8.0m
 RC23TOM002   12              180           180      168           6.91%             168.0m @ 6.91% TiO2 from 12.0m
 RC23TOM003   0               180           180      180           6.14%             180.0m @ 6.14% TiO2 from 12.0m
 RC23TOM004   0               154           154      154           5.38%             154.0m @ 5.38% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM005   0               154           154      154           5.13%             154.0m @ 5.13% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM006   0               154           154      154           3.83%             154.0m @ 3.83% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM007   0               154           154      154           4.99%             154.0m @ 4.99% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM008   0               154           154      154           3.83%             154.0m @ 3.83% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM009   0               142           142      142           2.84%             142.0m @ 2.84% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM010   0               154           154      154           3.84%             148.0m @ 3.84% TiO2 from 0.0m
 RC23TOM011   6               144           144      138           4.41%             138.0m @ 4.41% TiO2 from 6.0m
 RC23MTS019   4               136           136      132           2.28%             136.0m @ 2.28% TiO2 from 4.0m
 RC23MTS020   8               148           148      140           4.49%             140.0m @ 4.49% TiO2 from 8.0m
 RC23MTS021   6               66            66       60            4.34%             60.0m @ 4.34% TiO2 from 6.0m
 RC23MTS022   4               76            76       72            4.51%             72.0m @ 4.51% TiO2 from 4.0m

Table 1.                Significant Intercepts from RC Drilling
Programme #2.

 

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                                                               Tel: 020 4583 1440
 S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nomad & Broker)                                      Tel: 020 3470 0470

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

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

 Susie Geliher / Ana Ribeiro

 

About Empire Metals Limited

Empire Metals is an AIM-listed (LON: EEE) exploration and resource development
company with a project portfolio comprising copper, titanium and gold
interests in Australia and Austria.

 

The Company's strategy is to develop a pipeline of projects at different
stages in the development curve. Its current focus is on the Pitfield Project
in Western Australia, which has demonstrated to contain a newly recognised
giant mineral system that hosts a globally significant titanium discovery.
The Company is also advancing the Eclipse-Gindalbie Project in Western
Australia, which is prospective for high-grade gold and also kaolin used to
produce high-purity alumina, an essential component in lithium-ion batteries.

 

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

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