Lincoln Minerals uncovers uranium mineralisation at decommissioned quarry on its Eridani project
Lincoln Minerals (ASX: LML) has identified high-grade uranium mineralisation in its investigation of an abandoned South Australian quarry site previously shut down by the state government.
The company acquired samples from the quarry in recent field sampling program at the company’s 100%-owned Eridani uranium project on the Eyre Peninsula.
The quarry had been closed in 1944 due to the presence of high radioactivity in surface geology.
Decommissioned site
The Eridani uranium project focuses on the Minbrie West quarry, initially mined for marble and talc in 1919.
The site was decommissioned following the discovery of carnotite, a secondary mineral usually formed from the weathering of uraninite.
The sampling program was undertaken as part of Lincoln’s uranium portfolio prospectivity review that began in early 2024, with field activities in the tenement undertaken to determine the attractiveness of the geological setting and assess mineralisation potential in this known uranium region.
In-depth analysis
Lincoln took 12 outcrop samples from the quarry, which were analysed using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) on the targeted yellow mineralisation coating on the rock chips, now confirmed to be carnotite.
A review of historic drill core logs from the same exploration licence also identified potential targets for uranium mineralisation associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration of Donington Suite granites.
The examined drill holes, initially part of the 2007-2011 iron ore exploration program conducted by Centrex (ASX: CXM), were not previously assayed for uranium.
However, recent discoveries of uranium mineralisation by Alligator Energy (ASX: AGE) north-east of the Eridani project area had prompted further investigation.
Test work results
The company is now awaiting results from its initial pXRF testing of the mineralisation, with the results to be used to assist in future exploration.
That work is planned for 4Q24 and will include additional mapping and sampling along the identified fault zone.
Subsequent phases of the investigation will involve re-assaying the Centrex drill cores located 2 kilometres south-east of the project area to further understand the extent and grade of the uranium mineralisation and assist in target generation.
Lincoln aims to undertake additional exploration plans including mapping, sampling and reviewing publicly available geophysical data to assist in potential drilling campaigns.