Aldoro Resources expands niobium mineralisation at Kameelburg project in Namibia
Aldoro Resources (ASX: ARN) has further confirmed the niobium potential of its Kameelburg project in Namibia.
New assay results from a pre-drill sampling program have identified a direct line length of 190 metres, with samples returning an average grade of 0.70% niobium pentoxide.
Other assays received have confirmed the entire 262m of the line is mineralised with niobium at an average grade of 0.52%.
Initial sampling
Aldoro has now completed the seven sampling lines that formed the pre-drill trenching program aimed at helping to identify prime drill targets.
The company has subsequently extended the campaign to 22 sampling lines with the aim of evaluating the geochemical anomalies and providing more reliable information for its diamond drilling (DD) program.
Aldoro also conducted a magnetic survey to eliminate the risk of selective sampling when utilising the results of the geotechnical surveys to identify a drilling target.
DD program underway
The company has now commenced its DD program with holes and line locations correlated to test mineralisation at depth.
The current DD program is designed to help the company better understand the resource potential and grade at depth of the carbonatite while paving the foundation for the next stage of resource drilling.
Aldoro is using its own rigs and drilling team to minimise the cost and maximise operating efficiency.
Seven DD holes ranging in depth from 200m up to 400m will initially be drilled across the carbonatite.
Strategic element
Niobium is considered a critical mineral and is classified as a strategic element by several governments including the US and Japan, as well as the European Union.
On a comparative basis, niobium ore containing 0.15% niobium pentoxide is equivalent to one gram per tonne of gold.
Alloys containing niobium are used in oil and gas pipelines, beams and girders for buildings and oil rigs, jet engines and rockets.
Niobium is also used in superconducting magnets for particle accelerators and a variety of scientific and medical equipment.