TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 6470W
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
16 November 2017
16 November 2017
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Alba Mineral Resources plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Sampling Results at Thule Black Sands, Greenland,
Confirm High-Grade llmenite Across 8.5 km of Coastline
Alba Mineral Resources plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to announce
that all results from the maiden sampling campaign across the
Company's 100% owned Thule Black Sands licence in north-west
Greenland have been received. The 186 km(2) licence MEL 2017/29
("Thule 1"), which is owned and operated by Alba's wholly-owned
subsidiary White Eagle Resources Limited, is primarily prospective
for ilmenite-bearing heavy mineral sands.
Highlights:
-- 65 samples collected from the Thule 1 target show a weighted
average Total Heavy Mineral ("THM") content of 46.7%
-- Seven composite samples of the Heavy Mineral Concentrate from
Thule 1 show an in-situ ilmenite content averaging 10.0% and
ranging from 5.7% to 14.9%
-- Ilmenite bearing sands occur over a combined sampled strike
length of approximately 8.5 km
-- Mapping and aerial photography of the Thule 1 coastline shows
the potential for ilmenite bearing sands over the full length of
the coastline within the Thule 1 target, being approximately 22 km
in length
-- Ilmenite quality testwork is being commenced on the composite
samples and a review of the mineralogy is being undertaken to
assess the most appropriate bulk testwork required on the two bulk
samples collected during the September site visit
Alba's Executive Chairman, George Frangeskides, commented:
"These results are excellent and fully justify our decision to
move into the heavy mineral sands arena with our 100% owned Thule
project. Compare the weighted average Total Heavy Mineral content
of 46.7% at our Thule project with a number of advanced mineral
sands projects around the world - Mutamba (3.9% THM), Moma (3.2%
THM), Iluka (7% THM as an average across their projects) and the
comparison is a very favourable one."
"Of course the most obvious comparison to make is with the
Dundas Project being rapidly advanced by AIM-listed Bluejay Mining
Plc (current market capitalisation approximately GBP187 million)
just a few kilometres from our Thule Project. Bluejay's current
JORC inferred resource is 23.6mt grading 34.5% THM and bearing 8.8%
ilmenite in-situ with a high-grade zone of 7.9mt grading 14.2%
ilmenite. While we are not yet in a position to quote JORC
compliant resource figures at Thule, our verified assay results,
collected over a large sample area, which confirm a THM content of
46.7% and an in-situ ilmenite content averaging 10.0% and ranging
from 5.7% to 14.9%, certainly do not suffer by comparison against
Bluejay's figures."
"These results give us great confidence as we seek to fast-track
our work at Thule in the close season and as we prepare to head
into a significant field season in 2018."
Heavy Liquid Separation Sample Results
The exploration programme completed in September 2017 resulted
in the collection of 70 hand auger sand samples from between 30cm
to 1m in depth from the Thule 1 licence area. Of the 70 samples
collected, 65 were taken from active beaches and raised beach
terraces.
All samples were dispatched to SGS Lakefield laboratories
("SGS") in Canada, who have significant mineral sands expertise,
where screening of oversize (+2mm) and clays (<53um) was
undertaken followed by heavy liquid separation of the sand fraction
using a heavy liquid with a specific gravity of 2.9g/cm(3) .
Table 1 (at the end of this release) shows the results of the
screening and heavy liquid separation conducted by SGS for the 70
samples collected from Thule 1.
Table 2 (at the end of this release) shows that the weighted
average grades from the 65 active beach and raised beach terrace
samples equates to 20.4% Oversize (+2mm), 2.2% Clays (-53um) and
46.7% THM (-2mm to +53 um). Samples 36, 37, 102, 103 and 126 are
excluded from Table 2.
Composite Sample Assemblage Results
Upon completion of the heavy liquid separation, seven composite
samples were generated from the heavy mineral concentrate generated
from the 65 Thule 1 samples. The composites were created based on
the geographical location of the samples. The composite samples
underwent QEMSCAN (quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning
electron microscopy) analysis at SGS to determine the mineral
assemblage within the heavy mineral concentrate.
Table 3 (at the end of this release) shows the weighted average
THM%, ilmenite % of the THM based on the QEMSCAN analysis and the
calculated in-situ ilmenite %. Composite number eight is located
from an active glacial beach and is excluded from the Table 3
summary.
Overall, the QEMSCAN analysis shows that the THM contains
approximately 21% ilmenite, varying between 15.7% and 29%.
Currently, ilmenite is identified as the only valuable heavy
mineral present within the THM. The composite sample results show
an average in-situ ilmenite grade of 10%.
Forward Looking Work Programme
SGS are currently in the process of generating an ilmenite
concentrate from the seven Thule 1 composite samples reported in
Table 3. The ilmenite concentrate will in turn be analysed to test
the TiO(2) % and overall ilmenite quality. In addition, the
mineralogy results will be reviewed to assess the most appropriate
testwork required on the two bulk samples collected during the
September site visit.
In conjunction with the SGS analysis, an orthophoto and
topographic surface is being generated from the aerial photographs
taken during the September site visit. Once all data is available,
Alba will assess the possibility of generating a maiden mineral
resource estimate for the Thule Black Sands Project in addition to
planning the next exploration field season and marketing studies
required to advance the Project.
Alba field team
Alba contracted Baker Geological Services Ltd ("BGS") to
undertake the sampling programme with Mr Howard Baker of BGS being
a Competent Person for heavy mineral sands projects. Mr Baker
previously worked for the mineral sands producer Iluka Resources in
Australia and the International Mining Consultancy, SRK Consulting
(UK) Ltd ("SRK") where he was employed for eight years as a
Principal Consultant and Practice Leader. During his time with SRK,
he frequently acted as Competent Person for heavy mineral sands
projects, including projects in Mozambique, India and Australia. Mr
Baker is also a Competent Person for iron ore projects and
previously worked on the Melville Bugt Project. Mr Baker was
accompanied by Mr Oliver Jones of Impala Geomodelling, also a
former employee of SRK.
Since undertaking the sampling programme, Mr Baker has joined
Alba as its Technical Director, as announced on 24 October
2017.
Tables of Results
Table 1: Thule 1 SGS heavy Liquid Separation Results
Product #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #12 #13 #14 #15 #16 #17 #18 #19
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
+2mm 19.1 41.6 10.1 2.7 28.6 12.3 20.2 36.2 5.5 35.9 17.4 4.3 12.0 14.7 2.3 3.1
-2mm
Sink 25.5 20.7 49.4 29.2 30.7 47.6 54.7 20.0 58.6 40.6 52.0 63.5 54.9 61.5 61.6 57.6
-2 mm
Float 54.5 37.0 39.6 67.0 38.0 38.4 22.8 39.4 32.6 21.0 28.3 29.7 29.4 20.8 32.0 37.2
-53
microns 0.9 0.7 0.9 1.1 2.7 1.7 2.3 4.4 3.3 2.5 2.3 2.5 3.7 3.0 4.1 2.1
%THM 25.5 20.7 49.4 29.2 30.7 47.6 54.7 20.0 58.6 40.6 52.0 63.5 54.9 61.5 61.6 57.6
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Product #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #26 #27 #28 #29 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
+2mm 9.7 57.1 63.9 13.0 60.0 2.2 12.9 5.6 12.6 4.0 11.9 0.5 16.9 29.0 14.7 0.6
-2mm
Sink 45.0 28.3 14.9 52.4 24.7 69.8 82.3 57.0 53.2 59.9 54.4 71.4 56.9 39.0 49.1 79.0
-2 mm
Float 41.0 13.4 18.6 31.2 13.5 26.8 4.8 37.1 32.4 32.3 30.3 26.9 24.9 30.8 35.2 20.3
-53
microns 4.3 1.2 2.6 3.4 1.8 1.2 0.0 0.3 1.8 3.8 3.4 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.0 0.1
%THM 45.0 28.3 14.9 52.4 24.7 69.8 82.3 57.0 53.2 59.9 54.4 71.4 56.9 39.0 49.1 79.0
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Product #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 #41 #42 #43 #44 #45 #46 #47 #48 #49 #50 #51
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
+2mm 46.5 30.3 10.8 41.5 1.1 31.2 7.6 13.0 13.9 48.9 42.0 14.1 1.6 59.7 7.9 7.5
-2mm
Sink 17.2 12.4 43.5 29.3 48.9 37.7 52.1 53.2 42.3 28.7 35.7 43.8 62.5 22.2 54.4 86.9
-2 mm
Float 36.0 56.6 44.6 27.7 48.2 28.7 39.3 30.8 39.8 22.0 19.9 39.9 35.3 16.9 36.9 5.6
-53
microns 0.3 0.7 1.1 1.5 1.8 2.4 1.0 3.0 4.0 0.4 2.4 2.2 0.6 1.2 0.8 0.0
%THM 17.2 12.4 43.5 29.3 48.9 37.7 52.1 53.2 42.3 28.7 35.7 43.8 62.5 22.2 54.4 86.9
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Product #52 #53 #102 #103 #110 #111 #112 #113 #114 #115 #116 #117 #118 #119 #120 #121
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
+2mm 15.2 23.7 54.9 20.0 16.0 19.4 33.9 8.5 35.2 14.6 10.7 20.6 25.4 3.2 25.3 22.2
-2mm
Sink 48.8 40.6 3.9 4.6 41.2 48.1 29.9 62.5 42.8 51.4 46.1 45.1 37.5 60.2 40.4 44.6
-2 mm
Float 34.2 33.8 38.9 46.6 40.3 28.2 34.5 27.1 21.8 29.6 41.1 29.9 31.2 31.8 30.5 30.4
-53
microns 1.8 1.9 2.3 28.8 2.5 4.3 1.7 1.9 0.2 4.4 2.1 4.4 5.9 4.8 3.8 2.8
%THM 48.8 40.6 3.9 4.6 41.2 48.1 29.9 62.5 42.8 51.4 46.1 45.1 37.5 60.2 40.4 44.6
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Product #122 #123 #124 #125 #126 #127
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
+2mm 25.4 35.5 47.7 20.0 37.0 40.2
-2mm
Sink 44.8 32.0 31.7 46.1 18.8 25.9
-2 mm
Float 28.0 30.2 19.4 29.7 43.5 32.6
-53
microns 1.8 2.3 1.2 4.2 0.7 1.3
%THM 44.8 32.0 31.7 46.1 18.8 25.9
-------- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Table 2: Weighted Average Results from Thule 1 comprising 65
active beach and raised beach terrace samples
Product Weighted Average
%
------------ -----------------
+2mm 20.4
-2mm
Sink 46.7
-2 mm
Float 30.7
-53 microns 2.2
%THM 46.7
------------ -----------------
Table 3: Composite Sample Results from Thule 1
Composite THM% Ilmenite In-situ
ID % of THM Ilmenite
%
---------- ----- ---------- ----------
1 34.2 16.6 5.7
2 54.0 24.3 13.1
3 43.7 20.2 8.8
4 42.8 18.7 8.0
5 48.7 15.7 7.6
6 51.3 29.0 14.9
7 48.9 19.5 9.5
Weighted
Average 46.7 20.9 10.0
---------- ----- ---------- ----------
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.
For further information please contact:
Alba Mineral Resources plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman +44 20 7264 4366
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nomad)
James Caithie / Liam Murray +44 20 7213 0880
First Equity Limited (Broker)
Jason Robertson +44 20 7374 2212
Competent Person Declaration
The information in this release that relates to Exploration
Results has been reviewed by Mr Howard Baker, Technical Director of
Alba Mineral Resources Plc. Mr Baker is a Chartered Professional
Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(Membership Number 224239) and a Competent Person as defined by the
rules of International Reporting Codes that are aligned with
CRIRSCO.
Howard Baker has sufficient experience that is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person
as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration targets, Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves', also known as the JORC Code. The JORC
code is a national reporting organisation that is aligned with
CRIRSCO. Howard Baker consents to the inclusion in the announcement
of the matters based on his information in the form and context in
which they appear.
Alba's Project Portfolio
Oil & Gas
Horse Hill (Oil & Gas, UK): Alba holds a 15 per cent
interest, and has conditionally agreed to acquire a further 3.1 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.
Brockham (Oil & Gas, UK): Alba has a direct 5 per cent
interest in Production Licence 235, which comprises the previously
producing onshore Brockham Oil Field.
Mining
Amitsoq (Graphite, Greenland): Alba owns a 90 per cent interest
in the Amitsoq Graphite Project in Southern Greenland and has an
option over the remaining 10 per cent.
Black Sands (Ilmenite, Greenland): Alba owns 100 per cent of
mineral exploration licences 2017/29 and 2017/39 in the Thule
region, north-west Greenland.
Melville Bay (Iron Ore, Greenland): Alba is entitled to a 51 per
cent interest in mineral exploration licence 2017/41 in Melville
Bay, north-west Greenland. The licence area benefits from an
existing inferred JORC resource of 67 Mt @ 31.4% Fe.
Inglefield Land (Copper, Cobalt, Gold): Alba owns 100 per cent
of mineral exploration licence 2017/40 in north-west Greenland.
Limerick (Base Metals, Ireland): Alba has 100 per cent of the
Limerick base metal project in the Republic of Ireland.
El Mreiti (Uranium, Mauritania): Alba has applied for the
reissue of a uranium permit in northern Mauritania, centred on
known uranium-bearing showings.
Alba continues actively to review numerous other project
opportunities which have value-enhancing potential for the Company
whether by bolt-on or stand-alone acquisition, farm in or joint
venture.
Web: www.albamineralresources.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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