TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 2323V
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
14 April 2016
14 April 2016
Alba Mineral Resources plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Amitsoq Project Update
Further Geochemistry Results at Amitsoq Graphite Project
in Greenland Confirm High Grade Graphite with Low Detrimental
Elements
Alba Mineral Resources plc (AIM:ALBA) is pleased to report the
completion of rock geochemistry assays on samples from the former
graphite mine at Amitsoq, part of the Amitsoq graphite project (the
"Project") near Nanortalik in southern Greenland. Analyses indicate
that the geochemistry is substantially in agreement with a
petrographic study carried out by the British Geological Survey.
The samples are dominated by phylosilate minerals (clay, mica and
chlorite) and graphite, with pyrite comprising between 0.1 and 5.5%
of the samples. The pyrite contains minor amounts of trace metals,
which are neither considered as credits nor penalty elements if the
pyrite is separated from the graphite.
HIGHLIGHTS
-- Secondary laboratory tests are substantially in agreement
with initial British Geological Survey (BGS) graphite tests with
regard to carbon content (BGS tests found overall mean graphitic
carbon content of 28.7%)
-- Potentially detrimental ("penalty") elements (arsenic,
antimony, cadmium, and mercury) all occur in low concentrations
-- Potential smelter credit elements (silver, gold, copper, lead and zinc) are low.
Background
On November 30, 2015, Alba reported on eleven (11) samples that
had undergone petrographic analysis and carbon content
determination at the British Geological Survey ("BGS") at their lab
in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. The petrographic study concluded that
the graphite exists in various morphologies, ranging from
fine-grained specular forms to large discrete crystals, to
agglomerations which span areas of up to 15 mm in size.
Measurements of the discrete graphite flakes suggests that the mean
flake size varies from 300-500 um ('Jumbo') to 180-300 um
('Large'), however the single most common flake size is in fact
'Super-Jumbo' (>500 um). The graphitic carbon contents varied
from 20.5% to 35.4%, with an overall mean graphitic carbon content
of 28.7%.
Two questions that the BGS study raised were the volume of
pyrite present within the samples and also the potential for this
sulphide mineral to contain potential credit and deleterious
elements. Secondary testing was therefore undertaken to test for
those elements.
Geochemical Analysis
A total of eleven (11) samples were dispatched to the ALS
Minerals laboratory at Loughrea, Co. Galway, Republic of Ireland
for independent geochemical testing. Analysis included
major-element and trace-element geochemistry and total sulphur
analysis.
The results of the major element analysis, i.e., elements that
form the majority of the earth's minerals (oxides of silicon,
aluminium, potassium, sodium, etc.), indicated that the samples
were dominated by phyllosilicate minerals (clay, mica and
chlorite), graphite, and pyrite (iron sulphide). The total sulphur
analysis varied from 0.22% to 10.2%, with a mean concentration of
6.1% sulphur. Stoichiometrically this related to a pyrite content
ranging from 0.1 to 5.5% (mean 3.3%), and is substantially in
agreement with the BGS petrographic study.
A total of 51 trace elements were determined by the
multi-element mass spectroscopy technique of the eleven samples
submitted. Particular emphasis was placed on potential credit
elements (gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc) that might be expected
to occur with the pyrite, as well as potential deleterious elements
(arsenic, antimony, cadmium, mercury). Table 1 summarises the
results.
Table 1. Concentrations of potential credit and deleterious
elements in Amitsoq graphite samples.
Std
Dev
Min Max Average (+/-
(ppm) (ppm) (ppm) ppm)
------------- ------- ------- -------- ------
Credits
Gold ND ND ND ND
Silver 1.53 3.40 2.45 0.69
Copper 17.5 427.0 285.9 119.5
Lead 11.9 46.5 30.4 8.9
Zinc 7 3920 841 1057
Deleterious
------------- ------- ------- -------- ------
Arsenic 1.20 6.60 3.19 1.95
Antimony 0.08 0.84 0.18 0.22
Cadmium 0.01 30.50 6.08 8.30
Mercury 0.01 4.00 1.63 1.45
------------- ------- ------- -------- ------
Potential credits associated with the samples are generally low
and do not approach economically recoverable concentrations. The
zinc concentrations showed the greatest range and probably reflect
the presence of sphalerite (ZnS) associated with the pyrite. The
concentration of potentially deleterious elements are also low,
with only one sample containing cadmium greater than 6 ppm (30.5
ppm - correlating with the 3920 ppm zinc sample), which is slightly
anomalous compared with cadmium concentration in typical rocks.
Overall the samples are not considered to contain elements that
could potentially make the graphite at the former Amitsoq site
uneconomical based on impurities.
Proposed Future Work on the Amitsoq Project
An airborne electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic study is proposed
in the coming 2016 field season to help define the geology and
identify graphitic horizons. If warranted, follow-up exploration
and resource definition drilling will take place close to the
former graphite mine to determine grade and continuity of the known
mineralization. Geological mapping and geochemical sampling at the
same time will determine if the areas are prospective for a variety
of commodities (gold, PGMs, copper-zinc) in addition to the primary
graphite targets.
Mike Nott, Alba's CEO, commented:
"The results from the geochemistry study are gratifying. They
confirm many of the conclusions of the BGS petrography study
regarding the presence of pyrite and the high grade graphite
present in the samples. The trace element geochemistry confirms
that no elevated concentrations of harmful elements are present in
the graphite."
"We eagerly look forward to the next phase of exploration, which
will involve an airborne geophysical survey and follow-up
fieldwork. After appraising the geophysical results, we hope to
initiate a drilling programme to determine the thickness and
continuity of the graphite horizons on the project."
Competent Person's Declaration
The information in this announcement that relates to the
geology, exploration results and work programme is based on
information compiled by and reviewed by EurGeol Dr Sandy M.
Archibald, PGeo, Aurum Exploration Services, who is a Professional
Geologist and Member of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland, and
a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists. He is a geologist
with fourteen years of experience in the exploration industry, and
ten years post-graduate studies.
Sandy M. Archibald is a Technical Advisor to Alba Mineral
Resources plc and has sufficient experience which is relevant to
the style of mineralization and type of deposit under
consideration, and to the type of activity which he is undertaking
to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the June 2009
Edition of the AIM Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies.
Sandy M. Archibald consents to the inclusion in the announcement of
the matters based on the information in the form and context in
which it appears and confirms that this information is accurate and
not false or misleading.
For further information please contact:
Alba Mineral Resources
plc
Michael Nott, CEO +44 20 7264 4366
Cairn Financial Advisers
LLP
James Caithie / Liam
Murray +44 20 7148 7900
Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers
Limited
Jason Robertson / Neil
Badger +44 1293 517744
Additional Information
Alba holds a 15 per cent interest in Horse Hill Developments
Limited, the company which has a 65 per cent participating interest
and operatorship of the Horse Hill oil and gas project (licences
PEDL 137 and PEDL 246) in the UK Weald Basin.
Alba has the right to earn up to 70 per cent of the Amitsoq
Graphite Project in Southern Greenland (refer to our announcement
of 6 October 2015).
In addition, the Company holds a base metal licence in the
Republic of Ireland, and has applied for the reissue of a uranium
permit in northern Mauritania. The new Mauritanian permit will be
on a reduced area, and is centred on known uranium-bearing
showings.
Alba continues actively to review and discuss other project
opportunities which have value-enhancing potential for the Company
whether by acquisition, farm in or joint venture in a range of
jurisdictions around the world.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCGGUMACUPQGUC
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