Mapping and sampling at the West Arunta iron-oxide copper-gold (IOCG) project in Western Australia was the focus of WA1 Resources’ (ASX: WA1) exploration efforts during the three month period to end June.
The work commenced in April at the Pachpadra prospect area with a view to enhancing and refining exploration targeting prior to initial drill testing.
Two months later, the company announced the program had highlighted anomalism proximate to the P1 target, which is the peak of the Pachpadra geophysical anomaly.
There was a significant enrichment in rare earth elements including cerium, yttrium and lanthanum (often associated with IOCG mineralisation) and WA1 said their presence validated the exploration potential of the target area.
Field mapping identified surface expressions at Pachpadra and complemented historical work by the Geological Survey of Western Australia on a 1:250k regional scale, and more recently in a series of GSWA 1:500k compilation maps.
Key findings
Key findings were that the quartzites are strongly recrystallised and tectonised with some parts showing remnant bedding and granular uniform sandstone texture.
A presumably ex-pelitic and chemical sedimentary unit (now ironstone) is wrapped along the northwest edge of the quartzites.
Importantly, hydrothermal activity with ferruginous fracture fills in quartzite and a mildly radioactive ferruginous plug (with subordinate quartz) were evidenced in the quartzite sequence.
An on-country heritage survey was completed in May at Pachpadra to evaluate drilling access tracks and pads.
All proposed activities were cleared for a maiden drill program.
Hidden Valley native title
During the quarter, WA1 entered into a native title heritage protection and mineral exploration agreement with the Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation to enable an exploration licence for the Hidden Valley project, south of Kununurra.
The agreement was on behalf of the Malarngowem and Purnululu people and will be followed by the planning of initial exploration programs.
At WA1’s Madura project, east of Kalgoorlie, negotiations commenced on heritage protection agreements to enable exploration activities to commence within the project area.
