EXPLORATION
P
erth, Australia-based ABM Resources has completed the latest stage of its exploration of the Buccaneer Porphyry Gold
Project (part of the Twin Bonanza Gold Project) in Australia’s Northern Territory. From the drill core samples analysed, cyanide-leaching test work on oxide and transition samples suggested a 96.3% gold extraction based on 106µm grind in a 24-hour cyanide leach. Darren Holden, ABM managing
director, says, “T ese preliminary metallurgical tests on core samples show some excellent extractions both for conventional milling with cyanide leaching as well as for bulk tonnage heap-leach tests. T is work, along with recent drilling in the near surface, has reinvigorated eff orts at Buccaneer and we look forward to more detailed scoping of the economics on this large scale gold project.” T e company, which is 100%
owner of the Buccaneer Porphyry Gold Project, believes that metal is located from the surface to a depth of around 120m. Testing was undertaken from three composite HQ drill core samples representing oxide to oxide/ fresh transition material. At the time of going to press, ABM is considering selective mining of higher-grade zones, large scale conventional processing or large-scale heap-leach.
Nickel in range Nickel seeker Apollo Minerals is continuing the exploration of its Fraser Range Project in Western Australia. Multiple areas across the site are of interest, but two, the Plato and Oceanus prospects, look especially appealing. At Plato, a drilling project last year found intersected magmatic
nickel sulphides of up to 3m at 0.4% Ni and 0.1% Cu. Local rock conditions unfortunately are fairly resistive and dominated by meta- igneous rock types. T e Western Australia government is committing Aus$150,000 to the Oceanus site. Ground-based high-powered EM, RAB and RC/ diamond core drilling to test bedrock geochemistry, lithology, weathering and depth to basement is to start immediately. T e company hopes technology developed here will enhance future drill programmes looking to identify major nickel sulphide bedrock conductors to a depth of more than 500m below surface. Apollo says all other target areas are to be explored when time allows.
Berkeley hunts for uranium Uranium exploration specialist Berkeley Energy has announced progress at its fl agship Salamanca Project in central Spain. T e project consists of several main sites, Retortillo, Alameda, Zona 7 and Gambuta, plus a small number of additional satellite sites. A proposal has been put forward to create a processing plant at Retortillo. A Defi nitive Feasibility Study (DFS) is now underway, and resource drilling, metallurgical test work and hydrogeological studies are ongoing. At the Zona 7 site, 39 test holes
were drilled, and quality intersections were found from 7m, with thicknesses up to 40m. At 5m there was a recording of 1,800 ppm U3O8. T e company estimates there is 3.3 million lb of U3O8 due for extraction over seven years of steady state operation. Based on the results, the company board has decided to proceed with the
earn-in joint venture (JV) with a Middle Eastern group to sole fund exploration at the Kango North Iron Project, Gabon. The JV has already begun a maiden drilling programme to test near surface, high grade potential of two (out of a total of six) iron-ore targets
A
pollo has fi nalised an
Left: ABM Resources reports excellent extractions at its Buccaneer Porphyry Gold Project in Australia
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