TIDMALBA
RNS Number : 8201M
Alba Mineral Resources PLC
02 May 2018
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Alba Mineral Resources plc
("Alba" or the "Company")
Mining Projects Update
Alba Mineral Resources plc (AIM: ALBA) is pleased to provide an
update on its mining project portfolio.
Update includes:
-- Inglefield Land (Greenland, 100% owned)
o Four initial high priority targets have been identified within
the licence that show anomalous grades of Gold, Copper, Zinc and
Cobalt
-- Thule (Greenland, 100% owned)
o Ongoing testwork at Thule Black Sands shows ilmenite quality
in a TiO(2) content range of 45.6% to 47.4% with an average of
46.4% and low contaminants
-- Amitsoq (Greenland, 90% owned)
o Conceptual geological models created for both Amitsoq and
Kalaaq graphite targets
-- Clogau Gold Project (Wales, 49% owned)
o Completion of geological model for regional exploration
o Initial regional exploration targets identified
Alba's Executive Chairman, George Frangeskides, commented:
"A lot of work is being undertaken behind the scenes by our
technical team as we refine our exploration targets in Greenland
and Wales. The ongoing testwork and data evaluation across our
suite of projects has so far produced promising results. We will
keep shareholders updated of further material developments."
Inglefield Land (Greenland, Multi-Commodity, 100% owned)
Our in-house evaluation of historical data at Inglefield Land
has resulted in the generation of some high priority targets,
including:
-- Martome Fjord - Cu-Au target with >1% Cu and 1.6 g/t Au from rock chip samples
-- Marble East - Ni-Co target with 0.16% Co and 0.2% Ni from rock chip samples
-- Marble Lake - strong Cu-Au anomaly from rock chip samples
returning grades >1% Cu and up to 1.7 g/t Au
-- Four Finger Lake - Cu-Au and Cu-Pb-Zn-Au anomaly from rock
chip and soil samples including 1.8 g/t Au, 0.24% Cu
Additional targets have been identified across all sub-areas
within Alba's licence area. Given the extensive sampling that has
previously been completed within Inglefield Land, Alba will
undertake further desktop-based geological and geophysical studies
to assess the most appropriate field techniques to be applied and
targets to be assessed during the forthcoming field work.
Thule Black Sands (Greenland, Ilmenite, 100% owned)
As reported on 16 November 2017, eight composite samples were
generated from the heavy mineral concentrate ("HMC") from 65
samples taken from Mineral Exploration Licence 2017/29, the licence
area 100% owned by Alba's subsidiary, White Eagle Resources
Limited. The composites were created based on the geographical
location of the samples which underwent QEMSCAN analysis at
independent laboratories to determine the mineral assemblage within
the heavy mineral concentrate.
The eight HMC composite samples have been used to create thin
sections suitable for detailed scanning electron microscopy ("SEM")
to assess the mineralogy, TiO(2) (titanium dioxide) distribution
and elemental concentrations per mineral phase with the work being
undertaken at independent laboratories.
The testwork has shown that, from the near surface samples
collected to date, the contained ilmenite within the HMC ranges in
TiO(2) content from 45.6% to 47.4% with an average of 46.4% and
very low contaminant levels.
It should be noted that this represents ilmenite quality results
only and does not represent the potential final product grades
attainable, the specifications of which will be tested through
future testwork.
Composite number 8 was generated from three auger samples
collected from a glacial beach terrane. Here, a lower THM content
of 16.3% is reported, with a QEMSCAN in-situ ilmenite grade of
1.8%. Whilst lower in grade when compared to the other composites,
the SEM testwork shows a relatively higher TiO(2) content of 47.4%
and indicates additional potential targets for exploration beyond
the active and raised beach terraces.
Ilmenite is the primary source of titanium dioxide, TiO(2) .
Titanium dioxide is mined as
ilmenite, rutile or, in lesser quantities, leucoxene. It is a
dark coloured mineral which, with processing, becomes white and
opaque. It is primarily used as a whitening pigment in paints,
plastics and paper. Other uses include the manufacture of titanium
metal.
Titanium dioxide feedstocks are graded by their titanium dioxide
content. Feedstocks are either sold as raw minerals (rutile and
chloride or sulphate ilmenite) or as processed or upgraded
feedstocks, whereby ilmenite is processed to increase its titanium
dioxide content. Upgraded feedstocks are synthetic rutile, chloride
and sulphate slag and upgraded slag.
Alba will soon commence testwork on the two mini bulk samples
collected from the maiden sampling campaign. The samples, each
weighing 40kg and representing a raised beach and an active beach
environment will undergo suitable preparation and processing at an
independent laboratory to evaluate the potential to produce an
ilmenite product.
Amitsoq (Greenland, Graphite, 90% owned)
Following on from the sampling and structural mapping completed
during 2017, conceptual geological models have been created for
both the Amitsoq and Kalaaq targets. The conceptual models use all
available information collected to date and will assist in the
planning of future exploration campaigns and potential drill
targets.
Clogau Project (Wales, Gold, 49% owned)
Alba has been collating all historical data for the project and
has compiled a regional geological model that has been used to
generate regional exploration targets from across the licence. The
regional targets have been identified through a comparison of the
known geological framework of the existing Clogau-St David's Gold
Mine. Numerous targets have been identified with Alba and project
partner Gold Mines of Wales Limited initially planning to focus
efforts on the two targets in closest proximity to the existing
mine.
Alba continues to assess the most appropriate development
strategy for the existing mine.
Updated videos
As part of our ongoing technical work, we continue to generate
3D conceptual models of our mining projects. While these in-house
models are obviously key to our planning of the next phases of
work, they are also a useful tool for shareholders as they provide
a visual representation of the projects as the models are revised
and refined as we add further exploration data to them. The latest
videos showing some of this work are now available at the following
link with updated videos for each of Thule, Amitsoq and Clogau:
https://goo.gl/SzhRGr
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 / Richard Nash +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 Principal Operations & Investments
Oil & Gas
Horse Hill (Oil & Gas, UK): Alba holds an 18.1 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 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.
Thule 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.
Gold Mines of Wales (Gold, Wales, UK): Alba holds a 49 per cent
interest in Gold Mines of Wales, the ultimate owner of the Clogau
Gold project situated in the Dolgellau Gold Belt in Wales.
Inglefield Land (Multi-Commodity, Greenland): Alba owns 100 per
cent of mineral exploration licences 2017/40 and 2018/15 in
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.
Web: www.albamineralresources.com
GLOSSARY
Chlorinatable Feedstock: Material such as ilmenite or titania
slag, which is suitable for pigment production using the "chloride"
production route
Chloride Process: The process for manufacture of TiO(2) pigment
by chlorination of titanium-bearing raw materials
DEM: Digital Elevation Model. A 3D computer graphic
representation of a terrain's surface, created from a terrain's
elevation data.
FeO: Ferrous Iron Oxide
HMC: Heavy Mineral Concentrate. Concentrated heavy mineral mix
extracted from deposits containing ilmenite, zircon, rutile and
other heavy minerals
Ilmenite: The most common titanium bearing mineral, consisting
of FeO.TiO(2) , with up to 6% Fe(2) O(3) in solid solution
Ilmenite Product: Commercial products containing ilmenite and
pseudorutile, averaging 35%-65% TiO(2)
Inferred Resource: Definition of mineral deposit at low level of
confidence
Indicated Resource: Definition of mineral deposit at moderate
level of confidence
Leucoxene: A naturally occurring alteration product of ilmenite,
containing TiO(2) in the range 65% and 90%
Measured Resource: Definition of mineral deposit at high level
of confidence
Orthophoto: An aerial photograph or image geometrically
corrected ("orthorectified") such that the scale is uniform: the
photo has the same lack of distortion as a map. Unlike an
uncorrected aerial photograph, an orthophotograph can be used to
measure true distances, because it is an accurate representation of
the Earth's surface, having been adjusted for topographic relief,
lens distortion and camera tilt.
QEMSCAN: Quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning
electron microscopy)
Rutile: The purest, naturally occurring titanium-bearing
mineral, containing over 95% TiO(2)
SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy is a type of electron
microscope that produces images of a sample by scanning the surface
with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons interact with atoms
in the sample, producing various signals that contain information
about the sample's surface topography and composition.
Slag: An enriched TiO(2) product arising from smelting of
ilmenite, typically containing 75%-85% TiO(2)
Slimes: The fine silt fraction of the ore
Sulphatable Feedstock: Material such as ilmenite or titania slag
which is suitable for pigment production using the "sulphate"
production route
Sulphate Process: The process for production of Ti0(2) pigment
by digestion of titanium-bearing raw materials in sulfuric acid
Synthetic Rutile: A product manufactured from an ilmenite
product by removal of most of the iron content of the ilmenite,
typically containing 90%-95% TiO(2)
THM: Total Heavy Minerals. All heavy minerals in mineral sands
with specific gravity >2.9
TiO(2) : Titanium dioxide, occurring in a number of minerals
including ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene. The main commercial
application of TiO(2) is as a whitening pigment.
Titanium: Titanium is mainly used to produce titanium dioxide
pigment which is non-toxic, inert and imparts a brilliance and
opacity. It is widely used in paints, plastics and paper. It is
also used to produce titanium metal which has a high strength to
weight ratio, is non-reactive and resistant to oxidation. It is
used increasingly in aircraft and space craft. Because it is
non-reactive, it is used extensively in surgery.
VHM: Valuable Heavy Mineral content. This is the mass fraction
that contains the valuable TiO(2) (Ilmenite, Leucoxene and Rutile)
and zircon minerals in the THM
Zircon: Zircon is a form of zirconium which because of heat and
corrosion resistance properties, is used in chemical processing
equipment, sanitary ware, refractories and electronic appliances
and also in jewellery as zirconia.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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