Mamba Exploration identifies bedrock rare earths target at Hyden project
Limited historical exploration across the Hyden rare earths project returned up to 4.67% TREO, with mineralisation remaining open in all directions.
A detailed ground gravity survey at the Hyden rare earth elements (REE) project in Western Australia has identified a bedrock target for owner Mamba Exploration (ASX: M24).
The survey comprised 419 stations on eight east-to-west lines and two north-to-south lines over the main area of interest.
Data highlighted a greenstone belt with a series of granite bodies to the east and west of the main target area, consistent with geological mapping and regional aerial magnetic interpretation of the area.
Modelling of the main area of interest showed significant magnetic alteration and disruption along with a relative density low believed to be not consistent with the granite signature to the east and west.
A gravity anomaly appeared to post-date a series of late-stage Proterozoic dykes visible in the magnetic data, suggesting that the anomaly is a late-stage intrusive body and interpreted to represent a bedrock REE target.
Historical data
Mamba’s interpretation is strengthened by historical data, including 35 shallow drill holes over the target.
Twelve of these holes reported phosphorus assays of up to 9,400 parts per million (or 2.15% phosphorus pentoxide).
Other holes contained phosphorus pentoxide concentrations of 2.06%, 1.88% and 1.56% while eight reported rare earth oxide results up to 1,295ppm.
Mamba managing director Mike Dunbar said phosphorus results of this magnitude are “encouraging”.
The company is planning an aircore drilling program to better define the phosphorus anomaly and understand the significance of the historical results.
It is expected to include at least 50 holes for approximately 2500 metres.
Late-stage intrusion
Mr Dunbar said he was pleased with the gravity survey work.
“Our 3D inversion modelling has identified an area which appears to be a late-stage intrusion crosscutting the greenstone belt which runs north-south through the eastern portion of the target area,” he said.
“It is encouraging that historical data, while limited, has identified parts of the intrusion which contain significant phosphates and rare earth oxides, supporting our view that we have identified a bedrock REE target here at Hyden,” Mr Dunbar added.