Last checked at 21 Nov 2018 07:00
21 November 2018
Kore Potash Plc
("Kore Potash" or the "Company")
Significant Extensions to Kore's Existing Sylvinite Deposits Expected
Kore Potash plc (ASX: KP2, AIM: KP2, JSE: KP2) the potash development company whose flagship asset is the 97%-owned Sintoukola Potash Project in the Republic of Congo, is pleased to provide Exploration Targets for potential extensions of the Kola and Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposits, reported in accordance with the JORC Code (2012 edition). These Exploration Targets have been identified as part of the work program to improve the Company's understanding of both the potential scale and the strategic opportunities presented by the multiple occurrences of potash in the Sintoukola Project area.
An Exploration Target is not a Mineral Resource but a statement of exploration potential and in this case, is based on drilling and 2D seismic survey data and the Company's understanding of the controls on sylvinite mineralisation.
Highlights
· Potential identified to increase the Company's sylvinite Deposits to a total of between 1.5 and 1.9 billion tonnes (Bt) of sylvinite with an average grade of between 34 and 37% KCl
· The Exploration Targets are as follows and provided in Table 1 and located on Figure 1
o 'Kola South', the potential southward extension to the Kola Deposit
§ 95 to 175 Mt
§ average grade of between 34 and 42% KCl
o 'DX North', the potential northward extension to the Dougou Extension Deposit
§ 320 to 600 Mt
§ average grade of between 30 and 38% KCl
· The potential quantity and grade of an Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and is an approximation. There has been insufficient exploration at Kola South and DX North to estimate
· Mineral Resources and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the estimation of Mineral Resources
· The Exploration Targets are immediately adjacent to the Company's existing sylvinite Mineral Resources which total 1.08 Bt with an average grade of 35.5% KCl at the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits
· The Exploration Targets are within 40 km of the Company's proposed processing and export facility (Figure 3).
· Insoluble content of the sylvinite within the Exploration Targets is expected to be
Brad Sampson, CEO of Kore, commented:
"Quantifying the potential scale of the Sylvinite and Carnallite deposits of the Sintoukola project area is important. It positions the Company to assess the strategic options available for these world-class, shallow and high-grade Potash deposits while continuing to allow flexibility on the best development pathway for this globally important Potash province."
Table 1. Summary of parameters and the Exploration Targets for Kola South and DX North.
KOLA SOUTH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seam | Area km2 | average Thickness (m) | average density (g/cm3) | minimum distribution % of area | maximum distribution % of area | minimum tonnage (Mt) | Mid Point tonnage (Mt) | maximum tonnage (Mt) | minimum average grade (KCl%) | Mid Point grade (KCl%) | maximum average grade (KCl%) |
TSS | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| - | - |
| - |
HWSS | 23 | 2.74 | 2.02 | 15% | 30% | 19 | 29 | 39 | 50 | 56 | 60 |
US | 23 | 3.40 | 2.10 | 35% | 60% | 58 | 79 | 100 | 30 | 34 | 38 |
LS | 23 | 2.50 | 2.11 | 15% | 30% | 18 | 28 | 37 | 28 | 31 | 34 |
ALL SEAMS |
|
|
|
|
| 95 | 135 | 175 | 34 | 38 | 42 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DX NORTH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seam | Area km2 | average Thickness (m) | average density (g/cm3) | minimum distribution % of area | maximum distribution % of area | minimum tonnage (Mt) | Mid Point tonnage (Mt) | maximum tonnage (Mt) | minimum average grade (KCl%) | Mid Point grade (KCl%) | maximum average grade (KCl%) |
TSS | 185 | 5.30 | 2.11 | 8% | 15% | 155 | 233 | 310 | 24 | 29 | 34 |
HWSS | 185 | 2.60 | 2.02 | 5% | 8% | 49 | 64 | 78 | 55 | 59 | 60 |
US | 185 | 3.40 | 2.10 | 5% | 10% | 66 | 99 | 132 | 30 | 34 | 38 |
LS | 185 | 2.50 | 2.11 | 5% | 8% | 49 | 64 | 78 | 28 | 31 | 34 |
ALL SEAMS |
|
|
|
|
| 320 | 460 | 600 | 30 | 35 | 38 |
Note: Rounding errors may exist. Tonnage totals are rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 Mt. Grades are rounded to the nearest percent
Sylvinite is a rock type comprised primarily of the potash mineral sylvite (KCl), and halite (NaCl) and is the most important source of potash globally.
Existing sylvinite Mineral Resources
The location of the Kola and Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposits are shown in Figure 1 and 3, along with the adjacent Exploration Target areas (or 'target areas'). A table including the existing sylvinite Mineral Resource estimates is provided below this announcement, reported according to JORC 2012. Kola hosts a Measured and Indicated sylvinite Mineral Resource totalling 508 Mt with an average grade of 35.4% KCl (Company announcement dated 6 July 2017). Dougou Extension hosts an Indicated and Inferred sylvinite Mineral Resource totalling 232 Mt with an average grade of 38.1 % KCl (announcement dated 20 August 2018).
Overview of the Geology
The potash at the Kola and Dougou Extension is hosted by sub-horizontal or gently dipping layers or 'seams' within the upper part of a 400-500 m thick 'Salt Member' ('the Salt') of the Lower Cretaceous-aged Loeme Evaporite formation (Figure 2). The evaporite rocks extend from approximately 50 km inland to over 200 km offshore and is comprised of up to 11 'cycles' which can be correlated across the onshore part of the basin. The existing Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits are large, occupying areas several km across and in length. At Kola the Salt is covered by 180 to 280 m of sediments referred to as the 'Cover Rocks'. At Dougou Extension the Cover Rocks are between and 290 and 420 m thick. The Salt is overlain by a 5-20 m thick aquitard, referred to as the Anhydrite Member. The base of this unit (the top of the Salt) is an unconformity, so that the upper parts of the Salt are variably preserved or truncated by this contact.
At Kola and Dougou Extension, the sylvinite formed by the replacement of pre-existing carnallitite of 1 or 2 of the four seams in the upper Salt cycles. Carnallitite is a relatively low-grade potash rock comprised primarily of the mineral carnallite (KMgCl3·6H2O) and halite (NaCl). The seams are as follows; the Top Seam (TS), the Hangingwall Seam (HWS), the Upper Seam (US) and Lower Seam (LS) separated by rock-salt (Figure 2). At Kola the TS is mostly absent due to it being truncated by the unconformity at the top of the Salt so does not form part of the Mineral Resource or Exploration Target. At Dougou Extension the TS is 12-15 m above the HWS and is widely preserved, hosting the bulk of the sylvinite Mineral Resource. At both Deposits internal zones of carnallitite occur, and this is not mixed with the sylvinite, always being lateral or below the sylvinite with abrupt contacts between the two.
The extent of the Kola South and DX North Exploration Targets is controlled by the extent of broad structural 'highs' (100's m) beneath or adjacent to them (Figure 1). In these areas the process of sylvinite replacement was 'promoted' in the upper 10-90 m of the Salt. These structural features pre-date the Salt and had an influence on the formation of sylvinite.
Fundamental to the Exploration Targets is the well-established continuity of the evaporite layers, including the potash seams. Each seam, regardless of whether it is sylvinite or carnallitite can be correlated over tens of kilometres relating to the continuity of the original depositional setting of the evaporite. Lateral grade variation of the sylvinite of each seam and the content of insoluble material is low for the same reason. The HWS is the highest grading seam, where sylvinite grades up to 62% KCl at the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits. The US, then the TS and LS, have grades between 24 and 42% KCl.
The Kola South Exploration Target
The intersections of sylvinite in two of the Company's drill-holes completed in 2017 provide support for the Kola South Exploration Target and were reported previously along with Table 1 of the JORC Code (Company announcement dated 7 December 2017). These holes, EK_53 and EK_54, intersected sylvinite in the HWS grading 61.9 and 60.0 % KCl over a thickness of 2.22 and 3.26 m respectively.
Based on EK_53, EK_54 and available historic seismic data, the sylvinite at the Kola deposit is likely to extend up to 7 km southeast of the current Inferred Resource extent (Figure. 1) and the sylvinite mineralised zones are likely to be contiguous with that of the current Mineral Resource. The extent of the prospective area is controlled by a subtle structural 'high' below the Salt Member, extending southwards on strike from the Kola deposit. This 'high' is evident on the plot of the thickness of the Salt Member (Figure 1). Seismic survey data also guides the overall geometry of the Salt and suggests that there are no features disrupting the Salt stratigraphy within the target area.
In determining the Exploration Target, the average expected thickness of the HWS was determined from the EK_53 and EK_54 intersections, both of which are sylvinite. In these holes the US and LS is carnallitite, but it is expected these seams will be sylvinite over significant portions of the target area, as is the case at the Kola Deposit. The thickness of the US and LS for the Exploration Target was determined from the data for these seams at the Kola Deposit, with a slight reduction to the LS thickness (to account for a slightly thinned LS carnallite seam in EK_54). The grade range of the seams was determined from the large amount of data for the seams at Kola, along with the intersections in EK_53 and EK_54 for the sylvinite HWS. For each seam, the minimum grade was guided by the 10th percentile of the grade data for all existing intersections and the maximum was assigned to less than the 80th percentile, considered appropriate as low or high-grade outliers do not exist.
Based on the understanding on the distribution of sylvinite at the Kola Deposit, a minimum and maximum 'abundance' of each of the seams was developed for Kola South, expressed as a percentage of the prospective area (Table 1). It is expected that sylvinite of the US will contribute most to the potential tonnage, followed by the LS and HWS in roughly equal proportions. The predicted abundance of the HWS is greater than at the Kola Deposit, reflecting the expectation that it is less widely truncated (by the unconformity at the top of the Salt) at Kola South.
The DX North Exploration Target
This is the potential northward extension of the recently announced Dougou Extension Deposit (Company announcement dated 20 August 2018). The prospective area is defined by slight elevation and thinning of the Salt where the rocks (100's m) below the Salt are affected by horst development within an area referred to as the Yangala High (Figure 1), and northwards of this feature adjacent to the basin margin. The delineation of the prospective zone was based on a large amount of historical 2D seismic survey data and several historical drill-holes (Figure 1). Appendix 1 contains the JORC 2012 Table 1 for exploration data relating to the DX North Exploration Target, having not been part of previous announcements. Table 3 provides summarises of potash intersections in the historic drill-holes. The Company's 2017 drill-hole DX_05 planned to test the DX North area east of historic hole Yangala-1 but stopped short of the Salt Member due to drilling difficulties.
The estimation of the Exploration Target range of tonnes for DX North is based on the assumption that a portion of the total area of each seam will host sylvinite, in the proportions provided in Table 1. There is less supporting data in relation to the size of the target area than for Kola South; this lower level of confidence is reflected in the maximum assigned proportions. It is expected that in some areas the seams are either truncated by the unconformity at the top of the Salt or are present but are carnallitite but that the material quantified by the Exploration Target would be within areas that are sufficiently extensive and continuous to be potentially amenable to economic extraction.
Historic drill-hole Yangala-1 contains sylvinite in the TS, US and LS but are partially leached so that grade is likely to be less than what is typical for these seams. This is encouraging as it shows that the process of sylvinite formation has taken place well into the Salt. The Historic hole Maf-1 (Figure 1) intersected a 4.1 m thick sylvinite seam, interpreted to be the US or LS. Hole TK-1 contains carnallitite in the TS, HWS, US and LS.
The average thickness of the seams in the DX North area were determined from the sylvinite intersections of the TS and HWS in the Company's drill-holes at the Dougou Extension Deposit. The thickness of the sylvinite US and LS was estimated based on the thickness of the carnallitite intersections in the area, as this is proportional to the thickness when replaced by sylvinite. The grade range for the HWS and TS is based on the intersections at the Dougou Extension Deposit. The grade range for the US and LS is based on the grade of these seams at Kola. API values of >300 API in hole Maf-1 provide support for the presence of high-grade sylvinite. As at Kola South, the 10th and 80th percentiles of grade data in the supporting intersections was used to guide the minimum and maximum stated grade of the Exploration Target.
Figure 1. Map showing the Kola and Dougou Deposits and the adjacent South and DX North Exploration Target areas, along with important controlling features (see www.korepotash.com)
Further Exploration Work
No immediate follow up exploration activity is currently planned while the Company is focused on the review of the Kola Definitive Feasibility Study. The following provides an indication of what work that would typically be required to advance the Exploration Targets.
· Acquire additional 2D seismic survey data on wide-spaced lines (1-3 km apart) to improve the geological model and understanding of the Salt Member.
· Drill 3-5 holes in each target area. At Kola South, holes would be expected to have final depths of between 300 and 400 m; at DX North holes up to a depth of 700 m may be required.
· If this drilling is sufficiently successful, the data may support expansions of the existing Kola and Dougou Extension Mineral Resource Estimates.
· Further 'infill' drilling and seismic surveying may then be required to increase confidence.
· This programme if commenced may take approximately 12-24 months to complete from initiation.
Figure 2. Schematic section illustrating geology at the Kola Deposit. Note the TS is absent (see Kore Potash)
Table 2. Positions of the historic holes within the DX North area using UTM 32 S WGS 84 datum.
| Easting m | Northing m | Elevation m | Depth m |
K60 | 779095.96 | 9537928.9 | 16.54 | 565.0 |
MAF-1 | 761183.96 | 9560162.5 | 38.09 | 1018.6 |
TK-1 | 771596.00 | 9550234.0 | 42.60 | 1537.0 |
Yangala-1 | 783662.00 | 9533277.0 | 102.57 | 1110.6 |
Holes were drilled vertically
Table 3. Potash intersections in historic holes within the DX North area
| Seam/s | Depth (m) |
K60 | None | - |
MAF-1 | Sylvinite US or LS of 4.1 m thick and | 293.7 to 297.8 |
TK-1 | Carnallitite TS, HWS, US, LS | within an interval from 507 and 625.5 |
Yangala-1 | Partially leached sylvinite of the TS, US, LS. | within an interval from 524 to 680 |
Figure 3. Location of Kore's projects (see www.korepotash.com)
- ENDS -
For further information, please visit www.korepotash.com or contact:
Kore Potash Brad Sampson - CEO |
| Tel: +27 11 469 9140 |
Tavistock Communications Jos SimsonEdward Lee |
| Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150 |
Canaccord Genuity - Nomad and Broker Martin DavisonJames Asensio |
| Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 4600 |
About Kore Potash's Projects
Kore Potash is an advanced stage mineral exploration and development company whose primary asset is 97%-owned interest in the Sintoukola project, a potash project located in the Republic of Congo. The Sintoukola project comprises the Kola sylvinite and carnallite Deposits, the Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposit and the Dougou carnallite Deposit. These deposits are within the Kola and Dougou Mining Licenses. The Sintoukola project also includes the Sintoukola 2 Exploration License.
Sintoukola is located approximately 80 km to the north of the city of Pointe Noire which has a major port facility, and within 30 km of the Atlantic coast. Sintoukola has the potential to be among the world's lowest-cost potash producers and its location near the coast offers a transport cost advantage to global fertilizer markets.
The Kola sylvinite Deposit has a Measured and Indicated sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate of 508 million tonnes grading 35.4 % KCl. A Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") is being conducted by a consortium of French engineering and construction companies. The deposit is 'open' laterally; drill-holes completed in 2017 intersected high-grade sylvinite several km southeast of the Deposit. It is shallow relative to most potash mines; the proposed shaft bottom will be 270 m below surface.
The Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposit contains a total sylvinite Mineral Resource estimate of 232 Mt grading 38.1% KCl, hosted by two seams. The Mineral Resource includes 67 Mt grading 60.1 % KCl. Dougou Extension is located 15 km southwest of Kola. A large zone that is considered prospective for sylvinite extends a further 25 km northwards, within the Dougou Mining License and the 'Sintoukola 2' Exploration License.
The Kola and Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposits are considered high grade relative to most potash deposits globally and have the advantage of having very low content of insoluble material, less than 0.3% which provides a further processing advantage.
The Dougou carnallite Deposit has a Measured and Indicated Potash Mineral Resource of 1.1 billion tonnes grading 20.6% KCl (at a depth of between 400 and 600 metres) hosted by 35-40 metres of carnallitite within 4 flat-lying seams. A Scoping Study was completed in February 2015. This Study indicated that a Life of Mine operating cost of US$68 per tonne MoP was achievable.
· Muriate of Potash (MoP) is the saleable form of potassium chloride (KCl), comprising of a minimum 95% KCl.
· Sylvinite is a rock type comprised predominantly of the potash mineral sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl).
· Carnallitite is a rock type comprised predominantly of the potash mineral carnallite (KMgCl3·6H2O) and halite (NaCl).
Kore's Potash Mineral Resources, provided as Gross and Net Attributable (to Kore's 97% holding), prepared and reported according to the JORC Code, 2012 edition.
SYLVINITE DEPOSITS
KOLA SYLVINITE DEPOSIT |
|
|
|
| ||
| Gross | Net Attributable | ||||
Mineral Resource Category | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes |
Measured | 216 | 34.9 | 75 | 209 | 34.9 | 73 |
Indicated | 292 | 35.7 | 104 | 283 | 35.7 | 101 |
Sub-Total Measured + Indicated | 508 | 35.4 | 180 | 492 | 35.4 | 174 |
Inferred | 340 | 34.0 | 116 | 330 | 34.0 | 112 |
TOTAL | 848 | 34.8 | 295 | 822 | 34.8 | 286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOUGOU EXTENSION SYLVINITE DEPOSIT |
|
|
| |||
| Gross | Net Attributable | ||||
Mineral Resource Category | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes |
Measured | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Indicated | 111 | 37.2 | 41 | 108 | 37.2 | 40 |
Sub-Total Measured + Indicated | 111 | 37.2 | 41 | 108 | 37.2 | 40 |
Inferred | 121 | 38.9 | 47 | 117 | 38.9 | 46 |
TOTAL | 232 | 38.1 | 88 | 225 | 38.1 | 85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL SYLVINITE, KOLA & DOUGOU EXTENSION DEPOSITS COMBINED |
|
|
| |||
Measured + Indicated + Inferred | 1,080 | 35.5 | 384 | 1,048 | 35.5 | 372 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CARNALLITE DEPOSITS
DOUGOU CARNALLITE DEPOSIT |
|
|
|
| ||
| Gross | Net Attributable | ||||
Mineral Resource Category | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes |
Measured | 148 | 20.1 | 30 | 144 | 20.1 | 29 |
Indicated | 920 | 20.7 | 190 | 892 | 20.7 | 185 |
Sub-Total Measured + Indicated | 1,068 | 20.6 | 220 | 1,036 | 20.6 | 214 |
Inferred | 1,988 | 20.8 | 414 | 1,928 | 20.8 | 401 |
TOTAL | 3,056 | 20.7 | 634 | 2,964 | 20.7 | 615 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KOLA CARNALLITE DEPOSIT |
|
|
|
| ||
| Gross | Net Attributable | ||||
Mineral Resource Category | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes | Million Tonnes | Grade KCl % | Contained KCl million tonnes |
Measured | 341 | 17.4 | 59 | 331 | 17.4 | 58 |
Indicated | 441 | 18.7 | 83 | 428 | 18.7 | 80 |
Sub-Total Measured + Indicated | 783 | 18.1 | 142 | 760 | 18.1 | 138 |
Inferred | 1,266 | 18.7 | 236 | 1,228 | 18.7 | 229 |
TOTAL | 2,049 | 18.5 | 378 | 1,988 | 18.5 | 367 |
Note: Table entries are rounded to the appropriate significant figure.
Competent Persons Statement
All information in this report that relates to the Exploration Targets for Kola South and DX North is based on information compiled by Mr. Andrew Pedley, the Chief Geologist for Kore Potash and a full-time employee of the Company. Mr Pedley is a registered scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (reg No. 400311/13) and is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa. Mr. Pedley has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of Deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (the JORC Code). Mr. Pedley consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
The information relating to previous Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in this report is based on, or extracted from previous reports referred to herein, and available to view on the Company's website www.korepotash.com The Kola Mineral Resource Estimate was reported 6 July 2017 in an announcement titled 'Updated Mineral Resource for the High Grade Kola Deposit'. It was prepared by Competent Person Mr. Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., of Met-Chem division of DRA Americas Inc., a subsidiary of the DRA Group, and a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. The Dougou carnallite Mineral Resource estimate was reported on 9 February 2015 in an announcement titled 'Elemental Minerals Announces Large Mineral Resource Expansion and Upgrade for the Dougou Potash Deposit'. It was prepared by Competent Persons Dr. Sebastiaan van der Klauw and Ms. Jana Neubert, senior geologists and employees of ERCOSPLAN Ingenieurgesellschaft Geotechnik und Bergbau mbH and members of good standing of the European Federation of Geologists. The Dougou Extension sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate was reported 20 August 2018 in an announcement titled 'Maiden Sylvinite Mineral Resource at Dougou Extension'. It was prepared by Competent Person Mr. Andrew Pedley a full-time employee of Kore Potash, a registered professional natural scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions and member of the Geological Society of South Africa. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that are "forward-looking". Generally, the words "expect," "potential", "intend," "estimate," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. By their very nature and whilst there is a reasonable basis for making such statements regarding the proposed placement described herein; forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of our forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. Statements in this report regarding the Company's business or proposed business, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as resource estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.
APPENDIX 1. JORC 2012 Table 1 Prepared to describe the supporting Exploration Data for the DX North Exploration Target; additional support is provided by data described in the previously reported Mineral Resource estimate for the adjacent Dougou Extension Deposit (announcement dated 20 August 2018). Exploration Data supporting the Kola South Exploration Target is not included in this Appendix as that data was announced previously (announcement dated 7 December 2017). Important Abbreviations used: o DX: Dougou Extension o MRE: Mineral Resource Estimate o TS: Top Seam o HWS: Hangingwall Seam o US: Upper Seam o LS Lower Seam o RoC Republic of Congo | |||||
Section 1 - Sampling Techniques and Data | |||||
JORC Criteria | JORC Explanation | Commentary | |||
1.1 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, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. • 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. |
• In addition to the data for the adjacent Dougou Extension Deposit, four drill-holes guide the DX North Exploration Target; K60, Yangala-1, MAF-1 and TK-1. • Mineralised intervals are present but were not sampled in these holes. • Grade of the potash seams is based upon the intersections of the seams at the adjacent Dougou Extension Deposit, and at the nearby Kola Deposit.
| |||
1.2. 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).
| • K60 and Yangala-1 were drilled by rotary percussion through the 'cover rocks', stopping in the Anhydrite Member then advanced through the Salt Member using diamond coring with the use of tri-salt (K, Na, Mg). • Holes MAF-1 and TK-1 were drilled with rotary methods through the cover rocks and Salt Member. • All holes were drilled vertically. | |||
1.3. 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. | • There are no records of core recovery for hole K60 or Yangala-1 but based on descriptions of the core, recovery was likely to have been acceptable. • There is no record of the recovery of cuttings in holes MAF-1 and TK-1. | |||
1.4. 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. | • Geological logging in K60 and Yangala-1 was based on core and is of an acceptable standard, including descriptions and graphical logs. • For MAF-1 and TK-1, only summary descriptions of the potash intervals are available. • No mineralised intervals were sampled in these holes. • Data is sufficiently reliable and detailed, and is therefore considered acceptable for the reporting of an Exploration Target. | |||
1.5 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. | • No samples were collected from the drill-holes within the DX North Exploration Target area.
| |||
1.6 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 (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. | • No analyses are available for the holes within the DX North Exploration Target area. • Grade rangesare based on data at the adjacent Dougou Extension Deposit, and at the nearby Kola Deposit, which have been reported previously. • Downhole API data in a historic drilling report for MAF- provides support of the sylvinite depth and thickness in that hole. The API value was >300 API for what is interpreted to be either the US or LS. Carnallitite was 100-165 API and halite reported as 15-20 API for comparison. | |||
1.7. 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. | • No verification was carried out as all holes within the DX North area are historical and core is no longer available. Furthermore grade data for the historic holes was not used; grade for the seams was determined from the Company's holes within the Dougou Extension Deposit to the south, and from the Kola Deposit, for which full sample and assay QA-QC programmes were implemented. | |||
1.8. 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. | • Drill-hole collars' Easting, Northing and elevation were surveyed and recorded in the drilling reports for the holes. Hole positions are provided in Table 2 of the announcement. They are converted from Pointe Noire datum to WGS 84 datum. The position of Yangala-1 was verified in the field. | |||
1.9. 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. | • Figure 1 of the announcement shows the location of the drill-holes. They are between 6 and 14 km apart.
| |||
1.10. 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. | • Not applicable as no grade data is reported for the historical holes. | |||
1.11. SAMPLE SECURITY | • The measures taken to ensure sample security. | Not applicable as no samples were taken from historical drill-holes | |||
1.12. AUDITS OR REVIEWS | • The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
| • The MSA Group (MSA), an independent exploration and mining consultancy based in Johannesburg, has reviewed the data relating to the Dougou Extension and Kola Mineral Resources. MSA assisted Kore in the modelling, estimation and reporting of these Mineral Resources. | |||
Section 2 - Reporting of Exploration Results |
| ||||
JORC Criteria | JORC Explanation | Commentary |
| ||
2.1 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 license to operate in the area.
| • The DX North Exploration Target is within the Dougou Mining License and the Sintoukola 2 Exploration License. The former was issued on the 9 May 2017 and held 100% by the local company Dougou Mining SARL which is in turn held 100% by RoC Company Sintoukola Potash SA., which Kore Potash holds a 97% share. The Sintoukola 2 Exploration License was issued on the 9 February 2018 and held 100% by RoC Company, Sintoukola Potash SA and is valid for three years, following which it may be renewed twice, each time for a further period of two years. • The Kola South Exploration Target is within the Kola Mining License and the aforementioned Dougou Mining Lease. The Kola Mining License was issued in August 2013 and is valid for 25 years and held 100% by the local company Kola Mining SARL which is in turn held 100% by RoC Company Sintoukola Potash SA. • There are no impediments on the security of tenure. |
| ||
2.2 EXPLORATION DONE BY OTHER PARTIES | • Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
| • Potash exploration was carried out in the region in the1960's by Mines de Potasse d' Alsace S.A, including the drilling of K60. • Oil exploration wells Yangala-1 and TK-1 were drilled in 1961 and 1962 by Societe des Petrole d'Afrique Equatoriale (SPAFE). • Oil exploration well MAF-1 was drilled in 1991 by Chevron International. • 2D Seismic data in the area was acquired by various oil explorers from the 1980s onwards. |
| ||
2.3. GEOLOGY |
| • The potash seams are hosted by the Loeme Evaporite formation, comprised of sedimentary evaporite rocks with minor clastic layers. This formation is typically 400-500 m thick These rocks are within the Congo Basin which extends from the Cabinda enclave of Angola to southern Gabon, from approximately 50 km inland, extending some 200-300 km offshore. The evaporites were deposited during the Aptian epoch of the Lower Cretaceous, probably between 125 and 112 million years ago, within a sub-sea level basin following the break-up of Gondwana into the African and South American continents. Importantly, the sedimentation was in a post-rift setting leading to the development of evaporite layers with significant continuity. • In terms of classification nomenclature, the evaporite is of the basin-wide 'mega-halite' type, formed by the cyclic evaporation of sea-water sourced, seepage-fed brines in an extensive subsiding basin, each cycle generally following the expected brine evolution and resultant mineral precipitation model: dolomite then gypsum then halite then the bitterns of Mg and K as chlorides. To precipitate the thick potash beds the system experienced prolonged periods within a relatively narrow range of high salinity. • Reflecting the chloride-Mg-K dominated brine composition, halite (NaCl), carnallite (KMgCl3·6H2O) and bischofite (MgCl2·6H2O) account for over 90% of the evaporite rocks. Sylvinite is found relatively close to the top of the Salt. Carnallitite is a rock comprised predominantly of carnallite and halite. Sylvinite is a rock comprised predominantly of sylvite (KCl) and halite. The term 'rock-salt' is used to refer to a rock comprising of halite without appreciable other minerals/materials. • Importantly, bischofite does not occur in the floor or roof of the TS, HWS, US or LS, only present >40 m below the LS. This mineral is mechanically very weak and considered disadvantageous if in proximity to mine workings. • The Salt was deposited in a cyclic manner; 10-11 cycles have been recognised, of which most are preserved at Dougou Extension, the important 'Top Seam' (TS) and 'Hangingwall Seam' (HWS) potash seams are within the mid to upper part of cycle 9. • All layers in the Salt member have good continuity and the thickness of the interval between them is consistent. Even narrow mm-scale layers or sub-layers can be correlated over many km. In most holes all potash layers are present and have a low angle of dip ( • The HWS is relatively high grade, being comprised of a single massive bed of approximately 60% sylvite. The TS, US and LS are comprised of high grade sylvinite layers with internal rock-salt layers and therefore have lower overall grades than the HWS. • At Dougou Extension and the DX North area, the evaporite stratigraphy is slightly elevated and thinned relating to the presence of a horst block forming a paleo-topographic high in the underlying pre and syn-rift rocks referred to as the 'Yangala High'. • Capping the salt dominated part (Salt Member or 'Salt') is a low permeability layer of anhydrite, gypsum and clay (the Anhydrite Member). Importantly, the contact between the Anhydrite Member and the underlying salt is an unconformity. As the layers of the Salt are gently undulating and the upper contact is an unconformity, in some areas there is a greater thickness of Salt above the seams than in others, or the seams may be 'truncated'. • The Anhydrite Member is covered by a thick 'cover sequence' of carbonate rocks and clastic sediments of Cretaceous age (Albian) to recent. • Potash seams were originally deposited as carnallitite but were replaced in some areas by sylvinite, by a process of leaching Mg, OH and some NaCl from carnallite, converting it to sylvite. This process has taken place preferentially over the Yangala High, initiating at the top of the Salt Member. This process is based on observations at the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits and is expected within the DX North target area. • The thickness of the Salt above the seams is an important control on the whether the seam is sylvinite or carnallitite, and thus the extent of the sylvinite mineralisation. Added to this is the variation in the depth, from the top of the Salt that the process has been effective, between 20 and 90 m at the Dougou Extension Deposit. At the DX North area it is likely to be variable; the lowermost sylvinite in Yangala-1 is approximately 155 m below the top of the Salt which is encouraging. • It is observed at the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits, that the process advanced on a downward moving 'front' and was efficient; when converted no residual carnallite remains within the sylvinite. Un-replaced carnallitite may occur below the sylvinite (not above it) but the contact is always abrupt. As a general rule, the conversion leads to a halving of thickness and a doubling of grade though this is also influence by the proportion of halite to carnallite in the original seam. • Very close to the top of the Salt or locally in areas of greater structural disturbance, the sylvite may be partially or entirely leached, leaving reddish coloured halite with no or residual KCl, referred to as 'ghost seams' but still identifiable; it is possible that drill-hole Yangala-1 is in this type of setting. |
| ||
2.4. 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. | • The borehole collar positions of the holes are provided in Table 2 of the announcement, along with the final depth. Holes were drilled vertically and no significant deviation was reported in drill-hole downhole surveys. • Positions of the holes in relation to other holes are shown in Figure 1 of the announcement. All drill-holes are shown on the map.
|
| ||
2.5 DATA AGGREGATION METHODS | • In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. 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 grade data from the historic holes is reported. Grades for the seams were determined from data from the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits, data which has been reported previously.
|
| ||
2.6 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 information regarding the orientation of the potash layers in the historic holes is provided. As grade data for these holes is not reported, the relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept length are not considered.
|
| ||
2.7 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. | • Relevant diagrams are provided in the announcement. The previous announcement (20 August 2018) for the Dougou Extension Mineral Resource Estimate contain other useful diagrams. |
| ||
2.8 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. | • All relevant exploration data is reported. Potash intersections including sylvinite, carnallitite and leached seams within the deposit area are provided in Table 3 of the announcement. |
| ||
2.9 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. | • Density of the seams (in Table 1 of the announcement) is determined from a large dataset of density data for the Kola and Dougou Extension Deposits. The Company has established a direct relationship between KCl grade and density, which is robust due to the fact that the sylvinite in all intersections is comprised of over 97.5% of only two minerals; halite and sylvite. |
| ||
2.10 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.
| • No further exploration work is planned at present. • The announcement provides an indicative drilling and seismic programme that would be aimed at potentially defining Mineral Resources. It is recommended that initial phase of wide-spaced seismic and the drilling of 3-5 holes at each target is carried out. • If successful, a larger campaign of drilling and seismic could be carried out to potentially support Resource estimation. It is anticipated that a total of approximately 5 to 10 holes and 50 km of seismic data at Kola, and 15 to 30 holes and 200 km of seismic data at DX North would be required. • The positions of historic holes K60 and TK-1 should be located in the field. |
| ||
Glossary of Terms | |
Term | Explanation |
Albian | The uppermost subdivision of the Early/Lower Cretaceous epoch/series. Its approximate time range is 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 100.5 ± 0.9 Ma (million years ago) |
anhydrite | Anhydrous calcium sulphate, CaSO4. |
Aptian | a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous epoch or series and encompasses the time from 125.0 ± 1.0 Ma to 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma |
aquifer | An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt) |
aquitard | A zone within the earth that restricts the flow of groundwater from one aquifer to another. |
assay | in this case refers to the analysis of the chemical composition of samples in the laboratory |
bischofite | Hydrous magnesium chloride minerals with formula, MgCl2·6H2O and CaMgCl2·12H2O |
brine | Brine is a high-concentration solution of salt in water |
carbonate | any rock composed mainly of carbonate minerals such as calcite or dolomite |
carnallite | an evaporite mineral, a hydrated potassium magnesium chloride with formula KMgCl. 3· 6(H2O) |
carnallitite | a rock comprised predomiantly of the minerals carnallite and halite |
clastic | Clastic rocks are composed of fragments, or clasts, of pre-existing minerals and rock. |
clay | A fine-grained sedimentary rock. |
collars (drill-hole) | the top of the drill-hole |
composite (sample) | an interval of uniform length for which attributes such as grade are determined by combining or cutting original samples of greater or lesser length, to obtain a uniform support size |
conformable | refers to layers of rock between which there is no loss of the geological record |
core (drill) | the cylindrical length of rock extracted by the process of diamond drill coring |
Cretaceous | the last of the three periods of the Mesozoic Era. The Cretaceous began 145.0 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago |
cross-section | an image showing a slice (normally vertical) through the sub-surface |
diamond coring | the method of extracting cores of rock by using a circular diamond-tipped bit (though may be tungsten carbide) |
dip | in this case refers to the angle of inclination of a layer of rock, measured in degrees or % from horizontal |
dolomite | anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate, ideally CaMg(CO3)2. The term is also used for a sedimentary carbonate rock composed mostly of the mineral dolomite.mineral form is indicated by italic font |
domain (mineral) | a spatial zone within which material is modelled/expected to be of a type or types that can be treated in the same way, in this case in terms of resource estimation |
drill-hole | a hole drilled to obtain samples of the mineralization and host rocks, also known as boreholes or just holes |
euhedral | crystals with well defined crystal form |
evaporite | Sediments chemically precipitated due to the evaporation of an aqueous solution or brine |
Exploration Target | As per JORC 2012: An Exploration Target is a statement or estimate of the exploration potential of a mineral deposit in a defined geological setting where the statement or estimate, quoted as a range of tonnes and a range of grade (or quality), relates to mineralisation for which there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource. |
fault | A planar fracture or discontinuity in a volume of rock, across which there has been significant displacement as a result of rock mass movement. |
gamma-ray | A gamma ray or gamma radiation is penetrating electromagnetic radiation arising from the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. |
geotechnical | Refers to the physical behavior of rocks, particularly relevant for the Mine design requiring geotechnical engineering |
Gondwana | Gondwana or Gondwanaland, was a supercontinent that formed from the unification of several cratons in the Late Neoproterozoic, merged with Euramerica in the Carboniferous to form Pangaea, and began to fragment in the Mesozoic |
graben | A graben is a basin bound by normal faults either side, formed by the subsidence of the basin due to extension |
gypsum | soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dehydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO. 4·2H2O. |
halite | The mineral form of sodium chloride (NaCl), salt. |
horst | a horst is a raised fault block bounded by normal faults. A horst is a raised block of the Earth's crust that has lifted, or has remained stationary, while the land on either side (grabens) have subsided |
Indicated Mineral Resource | An 'Indicated Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes, and is sufficient to assume geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation where data and samples are gathered. An Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to a Measured Mineral Resource and may only be converted to a Probable Ore Reserve. |
Inferred Mineral Resource | An 'Inferred Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade (or quality) are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade (or quality) continuity. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to an Ore Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. |
insoluble material | in this report, refers to material that cannot be dissolved by water such as clay, quartz, anhydrite |
Inverse Distance weighting | Inverse distance weighting (IDW) is a type of deterministic method for multivariate interpolation with a known scattered set of points. The assigned values to unknown points are calculated with a weightedaverage of the values available at the known points. |
JORC | Joint Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC). JORC issues the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, last updated 2012 (JORC 2012). |
limestone | Limestone is a sedimentary rock. Its major materials are the minerals calcite and aragonite which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), mostly derived or in the form of skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral, forams and molluscs |
lithological | refers to the observed characteristics if a rock type (or lithology) |
Measured Mineral Resource | A 'Measured Mineral Resource' is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape, and physical characteristics are estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drillholes, and is sufficient to confirm geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation where data and samples are gathered. A Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than that applying to either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource. It may be converted to a Proved Ore Reserve or under certain circumstances to a Probable Ore Reserve. |
Mineral Deposit | A mineral deposit is a natural concentration of minerals in the earth's crust. |
Mineral Reserve | the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors. Such studies demonstrate that, at the time of reporting, extraction could reasonably be justified |
Mineral Resource | A 'Mineral Resource' is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth's crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade (or quality), continuity and other geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including sampling. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and Measured categories. |
mud-rotary | a method of drilling using a rotating destructive bit to penetrate the rocks and using water with various additives referred to as the drilling fluid or 'mud' |
muriate of potash (MoP) | The saleable form of potassium chloride, comprising a minimum of 95% KCl |
organics | in this report refers to material of organic origin such as plant debris or peat, or bituminous material |
overburden | a general term referring to rocks above the rocks hosting the ore. |
potash | refers to any of various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. In this report generally refers to the potassium bearing rock types |
Pre-Cambrian | The Precambrian (or Pre-Cambrian, sometimes abbreviated pЄ, or Cryptozoic) is the earliest part of Earth's history, set before the current Phanerozoic Eon, between 4600 to 541 Ma |
pycnometer | A laboratory device used for measuring the density of solids. |
recovery (of drill core) | refers to the amount of core recovered as a % of the amount that should have been recovered if no loss ws incurred. |
recrystallization | when minerals dissolve or partly dissolve and then re-form typically with a different size and texture |
rift | refers to the splitting apart of the earth's crust due to extension, typically resulting in crustal thinning and normal faulting |
rock-salt | rock comprising predominantly of the mineral halite |
room-and-pillar | a method of mining whereby the ore is extracted in blocks, leaving pillars of rock behind to support the opening |
sediment | A naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particles. |
seismic | in this case seismic reflection, a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves. The method requires a controlled seismic source of energy, such as dynamite or Tovex blast, a specialized air gun or a seismic vibrator |
stratigraphy | Stratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks |
strike | refers to the direction of preferred control of the mineralization be it structural or depositional. In this direction it is expected that there be greater correlation of attributes |
sylvinite | a rock type comprised predominantly of the mineral sylvite and halite |
sylvite | an evaporite mineral, potassium chloride (KCl) |
unconformity | An unconformity is a buried erosional or non-depositional surface separating two rock masses or strata of different ages, indicating that sediment deposition was not continuous |