Tambourah Metals gears-up for busy quarter advancing critical mineral and gold projects

Tambourah Metals (ASX: TMB) is gearing-up for a busy June quarter as it rapidly advances its critical mineral and gold projects in Western Australia.

To drive the accelerated exploration program, Tambourah appointed Ralf Kriege as its chief executive officer in March and he officially began the role this month.

Tambourah chair Rita Brooks said Mr Kriege’s experience will assist the company in identifying new lithium opportunities at Bald Hill along with plans to rapidly develop its existing lithium projects in the Pilbara – Russian Jack, Nullagine and Tambourah.

“Additionally, will work with the team to implement the drill programs proposed at Tambourah goldfield and the Cheela gold project.”

“ assist the company as we advance exploration at Julimar North, WH Sth and the Achilles base metals and REE (rare earth element) projects,” Ms Brooks added.

CSIRO collaboration

Also in March, Tambourah teamed up with the CSIRO to unlock exploration targets at Russian Jack.

The collaboration will allow Tambourah to apply machine learning using the CSIRO’s hyperspectral data to define first pass exploration targets.

Under the CSIRO’s Kick Start program, it will work with Tambourah to use satellite visible and near infrared spectral layers to pinpoint areas favourable for lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatites.

Then, supervised machine learning algorithms will be used to identify areas of similar geology.

It is anticipated the new machine learning will “significantly” reduce the search space.

Ms Brooks noted Tambourah will be the first company to apply these exploration methods to identify lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatites in the east Pilbara.

“Tambourah is pleased to be working with Australia’s national science agency CSIRO to help generate new knowledge and develop new technologies to increase confidence in the exploration for lithium bearing pegmatites over large areas in difficult terrains.”

“The collaboration will accelerate the identification of early-stage, high priority lithium bearing pegmatites,” Ms Brooks added.

Accelerated lithium exploration

WA’s Pilbara is home to tier one world-class lithium mines including Pilbara Minerals’ (ASX: PLS) Pilgangoora mine and Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Wodgina operation.

Analysts predict at least 18 more Pilgangoora mines will be needed to meet forecast lithium demand by 2030.

Tambourah’s strategy is to fast-track exploration across Russian Jack, Nullagine and Tambourah in the Pilbara to build new supply to meet demand predictions.

Russian Jack covers 600 square kilometres and is within 150km of Pilgangoora and Wodgina.

Earlier work at Russian Jack firmed up pegmatites that are 500m in length and 8m in height, with sampling returning anomalous lithium.

Additionally, historical tin and tantalum workings have been discovered at several locations adjoining Russian Jack.

As the June quarter advances, Tambourah will continue sampling and mapping programs over high-priority areas at Russian Jack. It will also undertake heritage surveys and begin permitting processes and source a contactor in readiness for a drilling program.

At the Tambourah project, the company will mobilise a geophysics crew to complete a Loupe electromagnetic (EM) survey to firm up targets for drill testing.

Other work will comprise field mapping and sampling for pegmatites and progressing mining lease applications.

Gold projects

As well as lithium, Tambourah and Nullagine are prospective for gold, which the company is also exploring for in the Pilbara.

A 2022 reverse circulation drilling program at Tambourah unearthed 22m at 1.38 grams per tonne gold, including 3m at 7.78g/t gold.

New gold targets have been generated from data reprocessing and exploration for the precious metal will run concurrently to lithium work.

At its Cheela gold project in the region, the company plans to carry out soil sampling and mapping and will finalise targeting and permitting for a proposed drilling program.

The projects are in proximity to known gold mines and Cheela surrounds Black Cat Syndicate’s (ASX: BC8) 22,000 ounce Electric Dingo project.

Julimar region

About 120km north of Perth, Tambourah owns the Julimar Nth and WH Sth projects in WA’s Julimar region, which is home to Chalice Mining’s (ASX: CHN) now famed Gonneville nickel-copper-platinum group element discovery.

Tambourah has pegged-up the second largest land holding in the area next to Chalice.

In December an airborne magnetotelluric (MMT) survey was conducted over Tambourah’s projects and generated possible conductors over the Bolgart East, Yerecoin and WH Sth targets.

During the March quarter, Tambourah completed a soil sampling auger program at WH Sth, which is about 15km north of the town of Goomalling.

All-up, 169 samples were collected, and assays revealed elevated copper, gold and molybdenum.

Upcoming activities across the Julimar assets will involve synthesising the MMT data with other geophysical information to develop targets for electrical ground geophysics testing.

This will refine drill targeting.

Further soil sampling and mapping will also be completed in parallel with access negotiations.

As well as hunting for a Gonneville look-a-like across its tenements, Tambourah is scoping for copper deposits similar to Caravel Minerals’ (ASX: CVV) nearby advanced namesake project, which is the largest undeveloped copper project in Australia.

Achilles and Adam Range

Tambourah is exploring for rare earths at its Achilles and Adam Range projects.

Achilles is 235km north of Laverton and is also prospective for gold and nickel-copper-platinum group elements.

Tambourah identified REE mineralisation from historical drilling at Achilles, which was focused on gold.

The company has undertaken an airborne EM survey across the project, which is currently being processed and integrated with historical data.

An aircore program comprising 35 holes was completed at the Windidda prospect, with samples to be assayed for numerous elements.

As the June quarter progresses, Tambourah plans to finalise and interpret the EM data, and will complete ground geophysical surveys.

Diamond drilling of nickel sulphide conductors will be undertaken.

Over at the Adam Range project, data compilation will continue along with applications.