Metal Tiger (LON:MTR), the London Stock Exchange AIM listed investor in strategic natural resource opportunities, has provided an exploration update for the Kalahari Metals Limited Botswana copper-silver exploration projects; Kitlanya West; Kitlanya East; and the Okavango Copper Project. The Company has a 59.81 per cent interest in KML.
Michael McNeilly, Chief Executive Officer of Metal Tiger plc, commented:
“We are very encouraged to report the intersection of wide zones of copper mineralisation from diamond drilling at KML’s Okavango Copper Project, on the Kalahari Copper Belt, in Botswana. Whilst we are still awaiting core assays the presence of trace copper sulphides, over a total interval of approximately 85m, may represent a mineralised halo to potentially higher-grade copper mineralisation nearby.
We can also report the Botswana Department of Environmental Affairs has provided authorisation to proceed with exploration activities including drilling of high priority targets on KML’s Kitlanya properties. Drilling is planned to commence testing structural targets within the KIT-E area in early 2020. In the KIT-W area, encouraging findings from the recent regional soil sampling and AEM geophysics surveys, include the delineation of seven compelling targets which also warrant drill testing.
We look forward to providing further updates in the near future.”
Highlights
- OCP 2019 Drilling Programme totalling 1,656m has completed with the six holes (OCP01 to OCP06) successfully proving the presence of D’Kar Formation (“DKF”) and Ngwako Pan Formation (“NPF”) stratigraphy and the DKF-NPF contact that hosts prospective Cu-Ag mineralisation.
- Hole OCP06 has intersected two wide zones, totalling 85m, with visible Copper-sulphide mineralisation, between 240m – 255m and 272m – 342m downhole depth.
- Visible sulphides in OCP06 include chalcopyrite, bornite and minor chalcocite hosted in veins, fractures and disseminated forms, with increased intensity proximal to the DKF-NPF contact. Core samples are being sent for assay.
- Holes OCP01 to OCP05 also display anomalous lead (“Pb”), zinc (“Zn”), silver (“Ag”) along with elevated Cu values based on portable XRF analysis and logging.
- All holes, except OCP05, intersected the DKF-NPF contact at the modelled depth.
- Botswana Department of Environmental Affairs has authorised the commencement of exploration activities including drilling at KIT-W and KIT-E. Gazetting of the required Environmental Management Plans (“EMPs”) has completed and drilling is planned to commence testing structural targets at KIT-E, 5km from the T3 Deposit (which is 100% owned by Sandfire Resources NL) and its planned processing plant, in early 2020.
- Seven compelling drill targets have been identified from coincident regional soil sampling and airborne electromagnetic geophysics (“AEM”) results in the KIT-W area. The conductive targets associated with Pb-Zn soil anomalies, likely representing lower DKF units, are sited in a range of fold closure, anticline hinge zones, T3-type ‘domes’ and traditional limb style settings, all of which are considered prospective for Cu-Ag mineralisation.
A version of this release complete with location figures and drill core photos is available via the Metal Tiger website (www.metaltigerplc.com).
Okavango Copper Project Drilling Summary
The 2019 OCP drilling programme has now completed with a total of 1,656m drilled from six diamond drill holes (OCP01 to OCP06).
The current phase of drilling has focussed on testing for evidence of a mineralised halo surrounding a potential deposit situated in both fold hinge and fold limb settings. Drill holes OCP01 to OCP05 explore the fold hinge and northern limb of target OCP-FH-01. The target is considered to share many similarities with Cupric Canyon Capital’s (“Cupric”) Banana Zone, which includes a number of deposits in the fold hinge and limbs and is situated along structure.
Drill holes OCP01 to OCP05 have intersected prospective reducing lower DKF stratigraphy overlying typically oxidizing footwall NPF. The rocks encountered are directly comparable to elsewhere in the Kalahari Copper Belt, with the target package (below lowermost thick massive Sandstone package “MSST”, above NPF) increasing in thickness from the NE to the SW.
Anomalous Pb-Zn halos were intersected above the MSST of the DKF, frequently related to dilatational veining. There has been a notable increase in the amount and frequency of carbonate veining due SW of the northern limb target, OCP-FH-01. Similarly, there has been an increase in the amount of carbonate lithologies at the base of the DKF. OCP04 intersected the thickest carbonate package (marl to limestone) that is interpreted to have been formed in a shelf environment as part of a carbonate reef setting, somewhat similar to Cupric’s Zone 5 deposit.
Drill hole OCP06 targeted the southern limb contact on an anticline extending some 40km due NE from the Zone 5 deposit, intersecting similar lower DKF stratigraphy to OCP01 to OCP05, with a marked increase in quartz-carbonate veining. Mineralisation consisting of vein, fracture and disseminated bornite, chalcopyrite and fine-grained chalcocite has been logged over a broad zone (>85m) extending into the NPF footwall. Although predominantly in trace amounts, several zones of thicker vein hosted mineralisation are noted in proximity (or directly below) the DKF-NPF contact.
Core from OCP06 is currently being cut and sampled and will be sent for analysis together with the samples from OCP01, OCP03 and OCP04 which are ready for shipment.
Hole OCP02 is the only hole to be assayed to date, its assay results (Table 2 below) highlight anomalous Ag content with elevated Cu reaching a maximum of 0.225 per cent. over 0.5m near the DKF-NPF contact. Initial field observations regarding visible chalcocite mineralisation were proven incorrect with metallic minerals more likely attributed to a Pb-Ag bearing mineral. All follow-on mineralisation logging has utilised a portable XRF analyser to verify the presence of Cu-bearing sulphides during the core logging phase.
Drill hole planning has relied on detailed airborne electro-magnetic (“AEM”) modelling, which has proven highly effective in estimating the 3D position of carbonaceous marker units in the lower DKF. Using the marker conductors, drill holes successfully intersected the prospective lower DKF stratigraphy and underlying NPF without relying on drill traverses or pilot holes traditionally employed to target the DKF-NPF contact. The result is a significant cost benefit and more effective means for testing the extensive prospective strike under areas with thicker cover.
Kitlanya Environmental Management Plan and Initial Drill Programme
The Botswana Department of Environmental Affairs has provided authorisation to KML to proceed with exploration activities including drilling of targets on both KIT-W and KIT-E, following the completion of the mandatory EMP.
KML plans to commence drilling at KIT-E in early 2020. KIT-E is located approximately 5km from the T3 Deposit and its planned processing plant. Drilling is planned to initially consist of four scout diamond holes which will target fold hinge structures identified in the recent detailed AEM survey, which may represent CAR (a thick package of carbonaceous siltstone) marker units in the lower DKF providing a similar stratigraphic marker to the OCP. A more comprehensive soil sampling programme will be undertaken concurrently with the diamond drill programme. Soil sampling results will be combined with drilling to generate targets for more extensive reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling.
KIT-W Soil Sample Geochemistry and Regional AEM Geophysics
A regional AEM geophysics survey was successfully completed over the KIT-W licence area at a 2km line spacing, with the objective of mapping Kalahari cover thickness and potential lower DKF conductors, which can potentially be used to model the position of the underlying target DKF-NCP contact:
- Modelling of resulting data suggests the Kalahari cover is thinner than initially interpreted, varying between 30 and 60m thickness;
- Three prominent conductors have been identified in fold hinge zones interpreted from magnetic data – these may represent analogues to Sandfire Resources’ T3 deposit; and
- Weak conductors in interpreted lower D’Kar units may be representative of carbonaceous marker units above the DKF-NPF contact.
A total of 3,550 soil samples were collected on regional traverses across the KIT-W licence. Results have been analysed using a desktop Niton portable XRF. Further analysis with TerraleachTM TL1 low concentration partial leach is planned. Results are summarised as follows:
- Interpretation of Kgwebe basement volcanics is supported by their geochemical signature and associated elevated Cu and Pb; and
- Elevated to anomalous, Pb, Zn (and to a lesser degree Cu) associated with interpreted lower DKF stratigraphy including potential fold hinge and fold closure targets.
Seven compelling targets have been identified using a combination of AEM and soil sampling. Targets include a range of fold closure, anticline hinge zones, T3-type ‘domes’, and traditional limb styles of Cu-Ag mineralisation.
Project Background
KML, which was incorporated in England & Wales on 3 May 2017, holds interests in 12 highly prospective exploration licences covering a total area of 8,595km2 in the Kalahari Copper Belt of Botswana, comprising two 100% owned exploration licences (consisting of the Ngami Copper Project and the Okavango Copper Project), five exploration licences subject to a binding earn-in agreement with Triprop Holdings (Pty) Limited, and five exploration licences held by Kitlanya Limited (“Kitlanya”) subject to an agreement with Resource Exploration and Development Ltd (“RED”).
As announced on 10 April 2019, KML has entered into a binding agreement with RED to purchase 100% of Kitlanya, which is conditional upon approval of the change of control of Kitlanya being granted by the authorities in Botswana and receipt of an updated letter of good standing for the licences. On completion of the acquisition, the previous earn-in agreement between RED and KML will terminate.
On 31 May 2019, Metal Tiger announced a further US$1.1m equity investment into KML, increasing its interest to 59.81%. The Company’s interest will reduce to 53.17% upon completion of KML’s purchase of Kitlanya. Notwithstanding Metal Tiger’s majority shareholding in KML following this investment, KML does not fall to be treated as a subsidiary of Metal Tiger as an agreement between the shareholders of KML precludes Metal Tiger from exercising control.
