source:proactive
OD6 Metals Ltd (ASX:OD6) is encouraged by the use of state-of-the-art modelling led by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, that reveals major extensions to clay-hosted rare earth element (REE) basins at the Splinter Rock REE Project in WA.
The CSIRO has applied machine-learning technology and advanced 3D modelling to provide an enhanced interpretation of OD6’s Tempest Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) survey data.
This modelling, which compares well to existing drilling, has expanded clay basin areas at Splinter Rock.
CSIRO work “invaluable”
Managing director Brett Hazelden said: “Our ongoing research relationship with CSIRO continues to provide deep insights into our extremely large clay REE basins and channels.
'Using state-of-the-art techniques and technology, the CSIRO research scientists have built a highly accurate model of clay thickness and depth of surface cover.
'This work is invaluable and allows us to prioritise exploration targets with a high degree of confidence.”
Modelling improved
The modelling allows OD6 to utilise locally-verified data to produce predictions of:
thickness of surface cover, upper clay sediment zone and lower saprolite zone;
maps of granite outcrops and depths of clay basin floors;
targets with the thinnest cover, ie low stripping ratio;
prioritised target areas based on multi-factor inputs for ongoing exploration work.
Newly identified prospects and expanded basin areas at Splinter Rocks include:
Untested northeast Splinter Rock basins designated Tighthead and Loosehead prospects covering more than 135 square kilometres at >40 metres expected clay thickness; and
Expanded Centre Prospect basin area, increasing from 136 to 154 square kilometres at >40 metres clay thickness with large zones of 60 to >80-metre thick clays.
The work has also resulted in better modelling of the ‘Inside Centre’ area where OD6 recently reported its best intersections to date with a zone >1000 x 2000 metres and >60-metres thick and grades 1400 ppm to >2000 ppm TREO.
“Pre-eminent clay REE project”
'With new clay basins identified and more accurate estimates of our defined basin areas, the Splinter Rock clay REE is emergent as the pre-eminent clay REE project in Australia,” Hazelden added.
'We are particularly excited about the extensions to our existing prospects, but also the newly identified basins which significantly add to our already impressive scale.”
What comes next?
Utilising the modelling data OD6 will now undertake follow-up work, including:
Regional targets within the identified clay basin prospects will be determined for wide space initial reconnaissance drilling to confirm, rare earth grades, clays thickness, cover thickness and other geometallurgical parameters.
Heritage surveys and environmental surveys will be conducted to enable Phase 4 drilling work to commence.
DMIRS permit of work (PoW) will be obtained to provide approval for drilling.
Metallurgical samples will be selected from favourable holes.
Infill drilling will occur based on a 'best of the best' approach.