Lithium-Nickel-Gold Program Update
The directors of Thor Mining Plc (“Thor”) (AIM, ASX: THR, OTCQB: THORF) are pleased to provide an exploration update on field activities at the Company’s 100% owned Ragged Range Project, located in the Eastern Pilbara, Western Australia.
Project highlights:
· Lithium: the Thor team is currently on the ground mapping and sampling several lithium targets, including potential lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites which have been identified within the prospective 10km radius of the Split Rock Supersuite at Thor’s Ragged Range Project (Figure 1).
· Nickel: a high-powered Fixed Loop Electromagnetics (FLEM) ground geophysics survey is scheduled for mid-April 2022 over the nickel gossan located in the western portion of tenure. The survey is designed to detect any conductive anomalies at depth that may indicate the presence of nickel sulphide mineralisation. The survey is anticipated to take one week to complete.
· Gold: final preparations are in place to commence the second phase of RC drilling at the Sterling Gold Prospect.
Nicole Galloway Warland, Managing Director of Thor Mining, commented:
“Thor is pleased to have the team back on the ground for the 2022 field season, at our 100% owned Ragged Range Project. The team will be focused on priority lithium, nickel and gold targets across the tenure.
The current field program concentrates on mapping and sampling of several lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite targets associated with the highly prospective Split Rock Supersuite. Whilst at our previously untested nickel gossan which extends over 1km, the scheduled electromagnetic survey should identify the most prospective areas at depth to conduct initial drill testing.
The testing of these new targets in conjunction with the continuation of drilling of further gold exploration targets at the Sterling Prospect, has the potential for significant exploration discoveries. We look forward to updating the market as soon as results are available.”
Photo Plate 1 may be viewed via the following link:
http://www.thormining.com/sites/thormining/media/Maps/AOI-11_798246E_7587303N_b.JPG
The Ragged Range Project, located in the prospective Eastern Pilbara Craton, Western Australia, is 100% owned by Thor Mining – covering E46/1190, E46/1262, E46/1355, E46/1340 and recently granted E46/1393 (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Tenement Location Plan overlying GSWA 1:500k geology showing distribution of Split Rock Supersuite with priority lithium target areas (Red dash ovals), nickel gossan (purple outline) and Sterling gold prospect (yellow stripes) may be viewed by the following link:
http://www.thormining.com/sites/thormining/media/maps/rr-tenure_prospects.jpg
Next Steps
Following on from the current initial lithium mapping and sampling program, the following activities are proposed at Ragged Range targeting priority lithium, nickel and gold targets:
1) Investigation of all small granitic and pegmatitic bodies in the lithium target area. Samples to be assayed for lithium and key pathfinder elements including Ce, Rb, Sn, Ta and W.
2) Reconnaissance soil sampling and prospecting within the 10km halo of the Mondana Monzogranite (E46/1262, E46/1190, E461393 and E46/1340) (Figure 1),
3) A high-powered Fixed Loop Electromagnetics (FLEM) ground geophysics survey is scheduled for mid-April over the nickel gossan located in the western portion of tenure. The survey is designed to detect any conductive anomalies at depth that may indicate the presence of nickel sulphide mineralisation. The survey is anticipated to take one week to complete.
4) Continuation of RC drilling at Sterling prospect following up on structurally controlled anomalous gold in streams and soils.
5) Airborne magnetic/radiometric survey to be flown over the eastern portion of the tenure including E46/1340 and E46/1393.
Lithium field mapping and sampling
The Pilbara Craton is highly prospective for lithium-caesium-tantalum enriched (LCT) pegmatites and hosts two large and globally significant spodumene deposits at Wodgina (Mineral Resources Ltd) and Pilgangoora (Pilbara Minerals). The Wodgina lithium project is considered the largest hard rock, spodumene deposit in the world (https://www.carbonart.com.au).
The lithium rich pegmatites in the Pilbara are spatially and, appear to, be genetically related to the Split Rock Supersuite (2.85 to 2.83Ma) (Sweetapple, M, 2017). Within Thor’s tenure the Mondana Monzogranite part of the Split Rock Supersuite mapped in the northern portion of tenure is untested for lithium potential (Figure 1).
Thor’s exploration strategy is to ground truth the 10km halo around the Mondana Monzongranite, considered the most favourable position for the spatial zonation’s of lithium-caesium-tantalum enriched pegmatites.
The current field program utilizing Thor’s radiometrics and Aster data has highlighted several priority areas for mapping and sampling, including
1) The northeast corner of E46/1262 where small pegmatites and granitic bodies have been identified and which is considered a potential roof zone of the Mondana Monzogranite making it the most prospective area for lithium enriched pegmatites within the tenement package (Figure 1).
2) The second target area is on E46/1393 where numerous structures cut the older Euro Basalt providing conduits for pegmatites emanating from the adjacent Mondana Monzogranite (Figure 1).
3) The third area of interest is a small enclave of greenstone at the contact of the Mondana Monzogranite in E46/1340 (Figure 1).
This initial field program is anticipated to take one week with samples to be submitted to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Adelaide, South Australia to expedite assay turnaround time.
Nickel Gossan
A high-powered Fixed Loop Electromagnetics (FLEM) ground geophysics survey is scheduled for April over the nickel gossan located in the western portion of tenure (Figure 2). The gossan was identified by the Western Australian Geological Survey on the Split Rock 1:100K mapping explanatory notes (Bagas et al., 2004).
The gossan extends over 1km x 100m and lies on the basal contact of the Dalton Suite ultramafics, with the older Wyman Formation, felsic volcanics. Sampling by Thor in 2020 highlighted nickel grades up to 2,678ppm (20PRC444) with chromium up to 2,607ppm (20PRC05) (ASX: THR 26 August 2020), Photo Plate 2.
The ground geophysics survey is designed to detect any conductive anomalies at depth that may indicate the presence of nickel sulphide mineralisation, to conduct initial drill testing. The survey is anticipated to take one week to complete.
Photo Plate 2 may be viewed via the following link:
http://www.thormining.com/sites/thormining/media/maps/photo-plate_nickel.jpg
References
Bagas L, Van Kranendonk J and Pawley M: 2004, Geology of the Split Rock 1:100000 Sheet, GSWA.
Sweetapple M T: 2017, A review of the setting and internal characteristics of lithium pegmatite systems of the Archaean North Pilbara and Yilgarn Craton. GSWA.
This announcement is authorised for release to the market by the Board of Directors.
– Ends –
For further information on the Company, please visit www.thormining.com or contact the following:
Thor Mining PLC
Nicole Galloway Warland, Managing Director
Ray Ridge, CFO / Company Secretary
Tel: +61 (8) 7324 1935
Tel: +61 (8) 7324 1935
