DY6 Metals uncovers extensive REE potential at Tundulu project in Mali
DY6 Metals (ASX: DY6) has confirmed the potential of its Tundulu project in southern Malawi to become a significant rare earth elements (REE) development.
The company’s confidence in its project areas in the region has been boosted by a new interpretation of historical drilling and visual observations obtained from a recent reconnaissance sampling program.
These have identified the carbonatite outcrops for which Malawi ‘s rapidly-growing REE sector is renowned, with the nation considered to have the potential to be Africa’s largest source of rare earth minerals.
Historical dataset
Data from a 2014 historic drilling campaign of 55 holes totalling 7,000 metres have been combined with results from a program of shallow historical drilling undertaken by the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) in 1988.
These results included 41 metres at 3.7% total rare earth oxides from 8m.
DY6’s recent observations are now being used by the company to compile an extensive exploration database at its Tundulu and Nathace Hill projects.
Large REE system
This database of geological, geochemical and geophysical data, along with detailed geological mapping and surface sampling, has already identified a large REE and apatite-hosted mineralised system.
“These additional historical results further illustrate the potential for a significant carbonatite rare earth deposit,” chief executive officer Lloyd Kaiser said.
“[It has the] scope to expand the extent of mineralisation over the southern and western sides of Nathace Hill and across Tundulu Hill, areas that remain largely unexplored.”
“We look forward to commencing the preliminary geological model from all the historic drill data.”
“This will improve our knowledge of the mineralised nature of Tundulu and assist in mapping the next phase of exploration activity.”
High-grade mineralisation
Assessment of the 55 drill holes from 1988 to 2014 indicates that several continuous zones of high-grade mineralisation were intersected, with lithological data indicating the presence of REE mineralisation in two types of carbonates.
The rare earth carbonatite shows the highest grades of REE, while the other host mineral – apatite – has phosphate grades ranging from approximately 5% to 30%.
The 85 geochemical samples collected by JICA in 1988 largely focused on the REE and related rocks over Tundulu and the eastern side of Nathace Hill.
The historic results confirm high REE and phosphate mineralisation in the outcrop samples.
Several of the high-grade apatite carbonatite samples also exhibited high rare earth mineralisation.
Metallurgical review
DY6 has engaged Perth-based consulting metallurgists to review the historical work programs by Mintek and assess the findings from a final 2017 metallurgical report.
The primary objective is to develop a beneficiation flowsheet targeting a phosphate concentrate of 32% phosphorus pentoxide and producing REE concentrate as a by-product.
Initial test work to be conducted by DY6 in Perth will mainly aim to identify suitable reagent schemes for the flotation of apatite and rare earth minerals while validating results achieved by the previous laboratory.
Field work campaign
DY6 is also currently working on plans for a field work campaign during the coming months that will consist of a comprehensive litho-geochemical sampling program to extend known mineralisation.
Its main objective will be to explore the western and southern regions of Nathace Hill, where very limited sampling and drill-testing has been completed to date.