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Eclipse Metals finds extensive visible surface iron at Moonford, Queensland |
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¡¯ (ASX: EPM) initial field exploration has outlined extensive visible primary and secondary iron mineralisation on surface over 18 square kilometres of its Moonford Iron project in Queensland.
Moonford is located just 15 kilometres from the Monto Township rail-line and about 133 rail kilometres from the port of Gladstone.
Geological reconnaissance mapping confirmed substantial limonitic-hematitic mineralisation in the southern part of the Moonford Project tenement.
Notably, just 6% of the total tenement area has been briefly explored.
Six surface geochemical samples have been collected at various locations and sent for chemical analysis while a bulk sample of 200 kilograms has been sent to NAGROM laboratory in Perth for preliminary metallurgical test-work on primary and secondary iron mineralisation.
Historical drilling has only tested the limonitic secondary mineralisation of enriched ironstone down to 12.75 metres within the soil profile.
¡°We are excited to have received confirmation of abundant visible iron mineralisation on the surface,¡± managing director Pedro Kastellorizos said.
¡°We knew that the secondary (limonite) iron mineralisation would be extensive, but we did not expect that these areas would be so great.
¡°The location of the primary hematite-goethite iron mineralisation adds a very important component to mineral prospectivity of the project tenement.¡±
Exploration Results
¡¯ work has defined the lower lying primary ironstone target of goethite and hematite as the primary source of iron mineralisation.
This is further confirmation of a classic style of primary bedded iron mineralisation within a formation of siltstone, sandstone and ironstone with traces of coal.
Mineralisation is primarily limonitic in a formation which is relatively flat lying and forms gently dipping beds.
Iron mineralisation is concealed beneath 0.5 metres to 5 metres of clay associated with the Evergreen Formation which consists of siltstone, mudstone and sandstone.
Within the Evergreen Formation individual oolites consist of concentric layers of hematite, goethite and limonite with a nucleus of quartz and calcite. Outcrop samples show signs of oxidation with more abundant limonite, although iron content shows little variation.
An extensive iron rich zone was delineated about 1.6 kilometres northwest of the historical drill Site 1 area through interpretation of aerial photographs.
Two bulk samples consisting of 150 kilograms of limonite rich soil and another 50 kilograms of hematite-geothite-limonite mineralised rock have been submitted to NAGROM metallurgical laboratory in Perth.
Preliminary metallurgical test-work is designed to determine if the limonitic (secondary iron mineralised zone) can be upgraded to higher iron content and the type of metallurgical processes required for beneficiation.
While recent high rainfall and flooded access points from cyclone Yasi in April 2014 restricted exploration to just a small part of the tenement, it was observed that low flat-lying ironstone ridges beneath an elevation of 300 metres appear darker in colour.
Importantly, these appear to contain more hematite and goethite than the higher limonite ridges.
The field geologist also observed magnetic interference close to these ridges. Further follow-up exploration work is required to determine the cause of this effect.
About 4 kilometres east of the Monto Township, a quarry was observed to contain primary iron mineralisation in the Moonford area where low ridges consisted predominantly of hematite-goethite mineralisation.
The Company is anticipating receipt of assay results and the metallurgical test-work in the next few weeks
Future Work
Further field work is recommended to concentrate on the lower ridges containing hematite and goethite, in particular along A3 Highway in the Coominglah State Forest in the southern portion of the tenement.
A second phase of exploration will concentrate on completion of geological mapping and more detailed outcrop sampling to facilitate a comprehensive exploration programme to include aerial geophysical surveys and drilling.
Analysis
The discovery of extensive primary and secondary iron mineralisation on surface at ¡¯ Moonford Iron project is noteworthy considering its proximity to existing rail infrastructure.
That field exploration to date covers just 6% of the total tenement area is also notable, highlighting the potential for further mineralisation to be discovered. |
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