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Greatland Gold plc (AIM: GGP)
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NEWS RELEASE | 30 November 2023
Nickel prospectivity confirmed in soil sampling at Panorama
800 metre coherent nickel strike defined in favourable geology
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK MARKET ABUSE REGULATIONS. ON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Greatland Gold plc (AIM:GGP) (Greatland or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of surface sampling across its Panorama East, Panorama and Panorama North tenure. The Panorama project is located approximately 200km south east of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and is considered prospective for Archean gold and nickel. The combined soil and rock chip sampling program was designed to follow up along strike of previous surface sample results and to test conductors identified in an airborne electromagnetic survey.
Highlights
§ Surface sampling program was undertaken with results including 27 soil samples from the Ni_04 prospect returning above 0.1% nickel over a 1.4km strike extent, and a peak result of 0.3% nickel in a rock chip sample.
§ Nickel strike includes 800 metre coherent +0.18% nickel anomaly.
§ These nickel results sit within the Dalton Suite ultramafics, which is confirmed as nickel enriched and a potential primary nickel sulphide host.
§ Several untested highly prospective conductors sit within the 14km of unsampled Dalton Suite.
Greatland Managing Director, Shaun Day, commented:
"Our recent surface sampling at Panorama has delivered a strongly positive result for nickel prospectivity.
The large extent of the prospective Dalton Suite ultramafics within our tenure, and the existence of coincident untested conductors, gives us confidence in the potential for a substantial nickel discovery at Panorama.
We are now planning our next steps to effectively test both the geochemical and geophysical anomalies on the tenure."
Overview of the Panorama project
Greatland's Panorama project comprises three tenements (~157 km2) located approximately 200km south east of Port Hedland in the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia. (Figure 1).
Table 1: Greatland Panorama tenure
Tenement | Name | Date Granted | Size (sub blocks) | Size (km2) |
E45/4936 | Panorama Nth | 8/02/2018 | 11 | 35 |
E46/1166 | Panorama | 2/11/2018 | 30 | 96 |
E46/1170 | Panorama East | 19/10/2018 | 8 | 26 |
The geology of the area is predominantly greenstone and granite of the Archean Pilbara Craton in northern Western Australia. Coarse grained Archean volcano-sedimentary rocks ("greenstones") strike over 7km from north to south throughout the Panorama project area. The greenstones form the "Coongan Syncline" and lie between the Shaw batholith to the west and the Coongan batholith to the north east.
Importantly the sequence is intruded by ultramafic rocks of the Dalton Suite (illustrated in purple in Figure 2). These units are considered prospective for primary nickel sulphide deposits.
Figure 1: Panorama project location
Previous work
Limited soil sampling (489 samples) completed by Greatland over the tenure previously in 2019 identified the Dalton Suite as anomalous for nickel.
A detailed aeromagnetic survey assisted in mapping out the extents of the Dalton Suite and a follow up airborne electromagnetic survey highlighted 28 conductors, 12 of which are located within the Dalton Suite and may correlate to massive sulphides.
No drilling has been undertaken across the tenements.
Surface Sampling Program
Eight soil grids (refer Table 2 and Figure 2) were designed so that a sample was taken every 50m on lines generally 200m apart at each prospect to test predominantly the nickel and gold prospectivity across the tenure, with a focus on conductors within the Dalton Suite.
A total of 832 soil samples were taken.
Opportunistic rock chips were taken where favourable outcrop was identified. In total, 74 rock chips were taken with an estimated weight of 2kg each.
All samples were sent to Intertek laboratory in Perth for multi-element analysis.
Table 2: soil grid completion status
Tenement | Prospect | Number of samples | Status |
Panorama East (E 46/1170) | Ni_02 | 72/72 | Complete |
Ni_03 | 125/125 | Complete | |
Ni_04 | 173/180 | Complete | |
Panorama (E 46/1166) | Zn_01 | 182/182 | Complete |
Au_03 | 169/169 | Complete | |
Panorama North (E 45/4936) | Au_02 | 94/148 | Partial completion |
Ni_01 | 0/85 | Not completed | |
Au_01 | 0/107 | ||
All | Rock Chips | 74 | Targeted rock chip sampling across all tenements ongoing |
Assay Results
Results returned for the recent program displayed a peak of 0.3% nickel in a rock chip from the Ni_04 prospect within the Dalton Suite (Figure 3). The Ni_04 prospect returned a total of 27 soil samples above 0.1% nickel over a 1.4km strike, within which a coherent core nickel anomaly of ~800m strike at > 0.18% nickel was outlined.
A further four soil samples in the Ni_02 prospect reported above 0.1% nickel.
Three surface samples returned gold results above 100ppb, all within the Ni_03 prospect. The peak assay was 142ppb gold. No coherent anomaly was detected.
Discussion
The nickel anomaly identified on the NI_04 prospect strongly increases the prospectivity of the Dalton Suite ultramafics within the tenure.
Primary nickel sulphide deposits such as Radio Hill (Figure 1) located 50km south of Karratha within the Pilbara craton and 350km west of Panorama, are formed during the emplacement of the host mantle derived ultramafic rocks into the crust. The (nickel) sulphides accumulate in structural depressions along the basal contact and in feeder conduits (Hoatson et al. 2006) as they are insoluble in the melt and have high density. These accumulations can be identified as short strike length conductors with electromagnetic surveys.
These latest results confirm the Dalton Suite in the Company's tenure as nickeliferous. The untested, folded ~14km strike extent of the Dalton Suite within the tenure includes five untested conductors identified from the airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey in addition to the 800m Ni_04 geochemical anomaly. The short strike length conductors A13 and A17 identified from the airborne EM (Figure 4) in untested Ni_01 prospect may represent base of channel sulphide accumulations in the Dalton Suite. Similar to the Radio Hill deposit (M. De Angelis 1987), these anomalies also have coincident magnetic anomalies.
Planning is underway to determine the follow up on the highly favourable geochemical and geophysical anomalies within the Dalton Suite.
Figure 2: Surface sample location on GSWA geology
Figure 3: Surface Nickel assay results
Figure 4: Surface nickel results on airborne electromagnetic 230m depth slice model.
For further information, please contact:
Greatland Gold plc
Shaun Day, Managing Director | info@greatlandgold.com
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About Greatland
Greatland is a mining development and exploration company focused primarily on precious and base metals.
The Company's flagship asset is the world-class Havieron gold-copper project in the Paterson Province of Western Australia, discovered by Greatland and presently under development in joint venture with world gold major, Newmont Corporation.
Havieron is located approximately 45km east of Newcrest's existing Telfer gold mine. The box cut and decline to the Havieron orebody commenced in February 2021. Total development now exceeds 2,820m including over 2,030m of advance in the main access decline (as at 8 October 2023). Subject to a positive feasibility study and Decision to Mine, Havieron is intended to leverage the existing Telfer infrastructure and processing plant. Access to Telfer will de-risk the development and reduces capital expenditure.
Greatland has a proven track record of discovery and exploration success and is pursuing the next generation of tier-one mineral deposits by applying advanced exploration techniques in under-explored regions. Greatland has a number of exploration projects across Western Australia and in parallel to the development of Havieron is focused on becoming a multi-commodity miner of significant scale.
Competent Persons Statement
Information in this announcement pertaining to Reporting of Exploration Results has been reviewed and approved by Mr Damien Stephens, a Member of the AusIMM, who has more than 30 years relevant industry experience. Mr Stephens is a full-time employee of the Company and has a financial interest in Greatland. Mr Stephens has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined by the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code) and under the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, which outline standards of disclosure for mineral projects. Mr Stephens consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on this information in the form and context in which it appears. Mr Stephens confirms that the Company is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the historical market announcements, and that the form and context in which the information has been presented has not been materially modified.
References
Ore Geology Reviews - Nov. 2006 Nickel sulfide deposits in Australia: Characteristics, resources, and potential. D Hoatson, S. Jaireth & A. Jaques
AUSIMM proceeding vol 292 no. 4 1987. The nickel-copper deposit at Radio Hill, Karratha, Western Australia. M. DE Angelis,W. Peters, & D. Wightman
JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria | JORC Code Explanation | Commentary |
Sampling techniques | § Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation) § Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used § Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report § In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information | § a typical 200-300g soil sample was derived from a bulk sample taken from 15-30cm sample depth, which was then sieved to extract only the -180um fine fraction. Within subcrop/outcropping areas, multiple samples were combined and sieved to achieve a representative 200-300g fine fraction sample. § Rock chip samples were taken of key lithologies, sulphide rich veins and areas within critical EM conductors; approximately 2kg in weight. |
Drilling techniques | § Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc) | § NA
|
Drill sample recovery | § Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed § Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples § Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material | § NA |
Logging | § Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies § Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography § The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged | § The logging is not of sufficient quality to support a Mineral Resource estimate. § descriptions of lithology, were recorded where possible.
|
Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation | § If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. § If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry § For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique § Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples § Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling § Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled | § samples were freighted by road to the laboratory. § The samples are assayed at Intertek (Perth, WA)
|
Quality of assay data and laboratory tests | § The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total § For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc § Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. | § Soil samples were analysed using an aqua regia digestion method (AR10/MS52) with a 52 element package. § Rock chips were prepared using a dry pulverisation method (SP03; 1.2-kg bulk sample) to a 75% passing 75um, with a 50g sub sample undergoing a four acid digestion (4A/MS48) analysis with fire assay ICP-OES (FA50/OE04) for a 48-element suite (5ppb detection limit). § Low level gold standards were inserted every 50 samples § Normal laboratory QA/QC standards were adhered to with regular insertion of standars and blanks and duplicate assays.
|
Verification of sampling and assaying | § The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. § The use of twinned holes § Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols § Discuss any adjustment to assay data. | § All data entry procedures, including original logging, sample location and recording of sample numbers are recorded digitally in an electronic database § There are no adjustments to assay data, other than below detection samples are reported at negative one half the detection limit |
Location of data points | § Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. § Specification of the grid system used. § Quality and adequacy of topographic control | § sample locations were surveyed using hand held GPS. RL's were collected with the same GPS § The topography is relatively high relief . § All coordinates were recorded in the Geocentric Datum of Australian (GDA2020 Zone 51). All relative depth information is reported in Australian Height Datum (AHD) |
Data spacing and distribution | § Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results § Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied § Whether sample compositing has been applied | § soil samples were taken on a regular 200m x 50m grid with the closest spacing across strike. § Rocks chips were taken opportunistically where potential favourable lithologies or mineralisation outcropped § No mineral resource estimate is possible in early stage exploration § No sample compositing has been applied
|
Orientation of data in relation to geological structure | § Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type § If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material | § The soil sampling grid is considered unbiased . § Rock chip samples were opportunistically taken and will be biased towards overstating any mineralisation
|
Sample security | § The measures taken to ensure sample security | § The security of samples is controlled by tracking samples from collection point to database § samples are delivered by company personnel to a freight company in Port Hedland for delivery by road freight to the assay lab in Perth, where the core is assayed |
Audits or reviews | § The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data | § No audits or reviews have been completed |
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
Mineral tenement and land tenure status | § Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings § The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area | § The panorama project tenements E45/4936, E46/1170 and E46 1166 are 100% owned by Greatland . § The tenements are subject to a Land Access Agreement with the Palyku Aboriginal Corporation
|
Exploration done by other parties | § Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties | § Minimal previous exploration work has been caried out on the tenure |
Geology | § Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation | § Exploration is for ultramafic hosted primary nickel sulphides and orogenic gold. |
Drill hole Information | § A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: § easting and northing of the drill hole collar § elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar § dip and azimuth of the hole § down hole length and interception depth § hole length § If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case | § All surface sampling locations are displayed on Figure 2. § Nickel results for all known samples taken on the properties are displayed in Figure 3 on GSWA geology and the higher grade areas are shown in Figure 4 on airborne Em depth section 230 m below surface. § No drilling has been completed on the tenure. § Surface sample results locations are adequately disclosed on the maps. |
Data aggregation methods | § In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated § Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail § The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated | § No economically significant results have been reported, and no data aggregation methods have been applied § Where anomalous results are quoted (Table 2) the samples have been selected as follows: - Ni > 1,800ppm; or - Au >100ppb;
|
Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths | § These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results § If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported § If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known') | § No economically significant results are reported, and there is no known relationship between reported widths and the geometry of any mineralisation |
Diagrams | § Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views | § Maps are provided in Figures 2-4. No significant discovery is reported |
Balanced reporting | § Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results | § The reporting is considered balanced |
Other substantive exploration data | § Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances | § No other substantive exploration data other than that provided in the figures |
Further work | § The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling) § Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive | § Further ground geophysics and surface sampling and/or drilling of the EM conductors and Ni_04 geochemical anomaly are under consideration. |