03:00 Mon 16 Sep 2019
Kavango Resources - Carbonatite orientation programme at Ditau
PRESS RELEASE
16 September 2019
("Kavango" or "the Company")
Carbonatite orientation programme at Ditau
Highlights
o Further analysis of assay and geochemical results from February's core drilling, suggests the presence of "fenitization", a type of alteration associated with carbonatites
o 10 magnetic "ring structures", which are prospective for carbonatites, have now been identified within the Ditau licences.
o Carbonatites often contain numerous economic minerals and are the primary source of Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
o Kavango recently learned of 3 carbonatites that were discovered in the 1970s by
o Kavango is initiating an orientation programme over the
o Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) have been signed with several major and mid-tier mining firms concerning a possible Ditau Joint Venture
Background
Ditau comprises two prospecting licences (PLs), which cover an area of 1,386km2. Kavango originally identified a magnetic anomaly at the first of these two licenses, which the directors believed presented an attractive exploration target.
In
The geochemistry obtained from the drill core suggested that the alteration was due to "fenitization", a type of extensive alteration associated with alkali magmatism and carbonatites. Carbonatites are the major global source of Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
The Ditau Targets
Analysis of existing airborne magnetic data identified 10 "ring structures" aligned along a SW-NE axis in the Ditau area. Ring structures are typical of alkali magmatism, which are often accompanied by the intrusion of carbonatite in the form of plugs or dykes.
Recognition of this hitherto unknown complex of alkali ring structures (including at least one possible kimberlite) prompted Kavango to apply for the second PL at Ditau, which was granted in June of this year.
Carbonatites are the principal primary source of REEs including the much sought after elements Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), which are used in the manufacture of the new generation of electric vehicles (EVs), magnets and other high tech applications.
The board believes that Ditau's post-Karoo age is likely to be conformable with the Longonjo Nd/Pr carbonatite open pit deposit, being developed in
The Falconbridge Carbonatites
Subsequent to the release of August's drill results from Ditau, Kavango learned that the Canadian miner
The carbonatites that
The one carbonatite sampled by
Next Steps
Kavango now plans to undertake an orientation exercise to assess the geophysical and geochemical characteristics of the
Using funds already set aside for the further work on the Ditau licences, the Company will undertake surveys over some of all of the 10 ring structures to identify carbonatite targets. Targets can be tested by relatively shallow and cheap percussion drilling.
The objective is to demonstrate over the coming months the existence of carbonatite within Kavango's Ditau licences
Joint Venture Discussions
In order to offset the costs of a prolonged exploration programme, which may involve extensive resource drilling, Kavango has signed Non-Disclosure Agreements with several major and mid-tier companies concerning possible future joint ventures. The orientation programme (described above) is expected to support these discussions and the Company will provide further updates in due course.
"There is mounting evidence that Ditau is at the centre of a previously unrecognised alkali magmatic complex. The current orientation exercise is designed to confirm the existence of carbonatite associated with the 10 ring structures identified to date. A number of mining companies have shown interest in this project and we look forward to working with an industry partner to realise fully its potential."
Further information in respect of the Company and its business interests is provided on the Company's website at www.kavangoresources.com and on Twitter at #KAV.
Note to Editors:
Economic Potential of Carbonatites
Until recently carbonatites were regarded as unusual and academically interesting geological bodies but significant interest was only generated once the demand for REEs was established (in the last few years). Hitherto many carbonatites were mined for their phosphate content (fertilizer), or for economic deposits of Niobium, Strontium, Uranium, Thorium, Magnetite, Barium and Vermiculite. One of the world's most productive carbonatites, Palabora, has been in production continuously since 1953 and is
Both the market and production of REE's is dominated by
For further information please contact:
Michael Foster
Nick Emerson
Turner Pope Investments (Joint Broker) +44 20 3657 0050
Andy Thacker
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