Data release - as updated [made at SA Director of Mines' discretion] : Verran and Malbrom (the Verran Project, then the Arno Graphite Project). Joint annual reports plus annual report, for the period 29/1/2014 to 28/1/2019.
Created: 12 Nov 2024 Revised: 12 Nov 2024

Two licence areas together covering the hinterland to Arno Bay and Port Gibbon on eastern Eyre Peninsula, and extending as far north-westwards as Rudall, are being explored for economic buried graphite deposits that may have formed in deformed...

Two licence areas together covering the hinterland to Arno Bay and Port Gibbon on eastern Eyre Peninsula, and extending as far north-westwards as Rudall, are being explored for economic buried graphite deposits that may have formed in deformed high grade Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic metasediments. Attention is being focussed on the previously discovered Siviour graphite deposit to delineate its size and commercial potential. Siviour is hosted within a sequence of Palaeoproterozoic non-magnetic metasedimentary rocks (calc-silicates, dolomites and pelitic schists) that are interpreted to represent the upper part of the Katunga Dolomite. During the fifth year of tenure of EL 4430 wherein the deposit occurs, JV operator Eyre Peninsula Minerals (EPM) undertook geological mapping, RC and diamond drilling, analytical work, petrology, and sighter metallurgical testwork. Geological mapping showed that the basement (Hutchinson Group) over >99% of the project area is covered by calcrete and dunal sands, such that only two basement outcrops were found. 6 angled RC holes with a total penetration of 751 m, and one angled diamond hole for 74.1 m (including a 32.6 m RC precollar) were drilled during November 2014 at the Siviour prospect. Highlights from this drilling were making thick intercepts of graphite mineralisation, viz: • in SIV002, 54 m @ 6.11% TGC (total graphitic carbon) over the hole depth interval 55-109 m; • in SIV004, 37 m @ 7.24% TGC from 37-74 m; • in SIV005, 36 m @ 8.48% TGC from 34-70 m; and high grade zones: • in SIV004, 19 m @ 11.14% TGC from 55-74 m; • in SIV005, 20 m @ 10.78% TGC from 49-69 m. Downhole geological data interpretations indicated consistent stratification between holes and therefore the probable continuity of the deposit over at least 4.3 km of strike length. Petrological examinations of mineralised rock from the known graphite prospects within the project area indicated that: • the graphite types occurring in the Paxtons and Siviour prospects are very similar in flake characteristics, being dominated by flake graphite mostly over 200 microns in grain size, with an average of mean flake lengths of 550 microns. • the Siviour diamond drill core samples come from a small zone within the deposit, and hence are not considered to be representative, but do show the mineralogical variability of the deposit. Graphite flake sizes are not as coarse as seen in holes at other prospects, having an average of mean flake lengths of 370 microns. • in the Buckies area the graphite is finer grained, although this prospect still contains plenty of coarse flake graphite. Most flakes are over 100 microns, with an average of mean flake lengths of 300 microns. Metallurgical sighter testwork carried out on a 2.5 kg bulk sample of mineralised drill core taken from historic EL 3332 diamond hole CRD090, as retrieved by EPM from the DSD Core Library, showed that: • a graphite concentrate assaying 93.1% TC could be produced; • 87.1% of the head sample's graphite content was recoverable; • the majority of the concentrate produced is in the form of flake graphite, with more than half comprising large flake graphite; • over 40% of the concentrate produced is +150 microns large flake graphite, and around 70% of the concentrate is +75 microns flake graphite. • Plus 600 microns, extra-large flake (Jumbo Flake) graphite was also produced. • Gravity separation is a very effective method for separating, from liberated graphite flakes, floatable gangue or gangue with minor inclusions of graphite. • Due to its particular shape, the actual screen aperture as used for physically sizing graphite flake passes larger size grains than those measured under a microscope, e.g. some of the Jumbo +600 micron flakes were measured by optical ruler as being up to 3 mm long, but nevertheless, they passed through a 1 mm aperture screen. Further metallurgical test-work is in progress on samples from the current drilling programme. During the sixth year of tenure, Renascor Resources Ltd (Renascor), acting under an option agreement it made with Eyre Peninsula Minerals Pty Ltd for purchasing that company and its assets, undertook an appraisal RC drilling campaign of 26 inclined holes for 1546 m on renewed EL 5618 in January 2016 to define the extent of the graphite mineralisation at the Siviour prospect. The majority of these holes were drilled at 100 m intervals along 3 north-south traverses 200 m apart. A preliminary review of available geophysical data over the Burrawing Cu-Au prospect on EL 5495 was also undertaken. Significant graphite intercepts were made in 18 of the latest drillholes at Siviour, demonstrating potential continuity of graphite mineralisation over at least 4.3 km of strike length. The 3 holes drilled at Malbrom, located south-west of Siviour on EL 5204, failed to intersect graphite but encountered thick sequences of clay, probably explaining the targeted EM anomaly. During the seventh year of tenure, Renascor exercised its option to purchase Eyre Peninsula Minerals, and then assumed the operatorship of the exploration programs for EL 5618, 5495 and 5204 on behalf of the licence holder Ausmin Development Pty Ltd. All work during this year was undertaken at Siviour, aiming to delineate additional graphite resources. 65 inclined RC holes for 3919m, and 15 wholly HQ3 diamond cored inclined holes for 724.3 m were drilled along 22 sections aligned across the deposit envelope; these sections were spaced either 100 m or 200 m apart, with the drillholes put in at either 50 m or 100 m intervals along the sections. From the drillholes, 2241 subsurface samples were collected and sent for assaying of their TGC content. Based on the resulting mineralisation intercepts, which extended the deposit envelope to both the east and the west, contractor Optiro of Perth, WA was engaged to prepare an updated new mineral resource estimate for Siviour, building on the maiden JORC compliant resource of 16.8 Mt @ 7.4% TGC calculated in March 2016, after only 24 of the delineation drillholes had been completed. On 26/10/2016, a much larger, revised Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource estimate figure of 60.8 Mt @ 7.8% TGC, using a 3% TGC cut-off grade, for 4.7 Mt of contained graphite, was announced to the ASX, based on an additional 37 RC holes and 4 diamond cored holes. 200 rock bulk density measurements were obtained from drill cores in the latter holes, and used to assign orebody density properties. But it was noted that more measurements of density in the oxide and transition zones of the weathered portion of the Siviour orebody are required still, to better inform future resource estimates and the modelling of included waste materials necessary to be factored into mine planning. During June 2016, geophysical contractor Zonge was employed to acquire ground electrical survey data from over the Siviour area, to aid in definition of the graphite resource distribution. Firstly, ~23 line km of time domain moving loop NanoTEM readings were made along 12 lines spaced 40 m apart, to generate 242 in-loop EM soundings at 100 m station intervals. The aim was to profile the weathered zone existing between 5 m and 50 m below the surface, for detecting conductivity variations that may reflect lenses of ore grade graphite mineralisation. Following this stage, a research and development designed combination gradient array IP survey and natural source audio-magnetotelluric survey were run along 7 north-south lines, using a 50 m receiver station spacing, for 3.5 line km of coverage. The main purpose of field trialling this method innovation was to collect both galvanic and inductive electrical responses to try to better characterise the 3D geophysical signature of this bedded graphite target type, by extracting AMT data from the IP time series recordings. The research proposition was shown to be valid, although the IP derived AMT signals were noisier than those produced by conventional AMT recordings, but this outcome was anticipated, given the shorter read time and additional filtering. The AMT data can be used to provide a resistivity depth profile from the full waveform gradient array IP data, a feature that is not normally possible to produce from gradient array resistivity measurements alone. During the 2017-2018 (to 28th January 2018) reporting period, a slim-line RC drilling program was completed at the Siviour Deposit, with 13 vertical holes drilled for 765 m. Composite 4 m samples were submitted for multi element analysis. The drilling program was designed to “sterilize” the ground around the deposit. The drilling identified one location with low grade graphite mineralisation, co-incident with an AEM anomaly, that requires further investigation. Metallurgical research and development work was undertaken on drill core samples. This work formed part of the Siviour Pre-Feasibility Study [See included reports]. An airborne electro-magnetic survey was completed to assist with defining the extent of mineralisation, a total of 412 line-km of data was collected. The Xcite AEM survey was flown across the Siviour prospect area. Flight line spacing varies from 400 m for the NE and SW extents, 200 m for the SE portion and 100 m spacing across the Siviour-Malbrom area. During the reporting period the JORC Mineral Resource for the Siviour Graphite Deposit was again upgraded to an Indicated Resources: 51.8 million tonnes @ 8.1% total graphitic carbon (TGC) for 4.2 million tonnes of contained graphite with a Total Resources (Indicated and Inferred) of 80.6 million tonnes @ 7.9% TGC for 6.4 million tonnes of contained graphite. During the 2018-2019 (to 28th January 2019) reporting period, Renascor undertook 2 drilling programmes across the project area. A total of 99 RC/AC holes were drilled for 4734 m with the aim of confirming the Indicated Resource for the Siviour Definitive Feasibility Study to test the continuity of the graphite mineralisation and to upgrade the resource to Measured. Drilling was carried out on a 50 m grid spacing. Fifteen HQ Diamond cored holes were completed totalling 837 m, to allow for metallurgical testwork and to supply structural information for rock mechanical investigations. A total of 2,797 drill chip samples (~3 kg collected) from 90 RC/AC holes and 509 ¼ core samples from 15 Diamond holes were submitted to Bureau Veritas Adelaide for graphitic carbon (C-IR18 – TGC%). A total of 968 samples from 31 RC/AC holes and 132 samples from 3 Diamond holes were also submitted to ALS Adelaide for multi-element analysis (33 elements tested). Hydrogeological investigations on the Siviour Graphite Deposit were undertaken by Groundwater Science [See included report]. A Mining Lease Application was lodged for Siviour Graphite Project with South Australia Department for Energy and Mining, supported by extensive stakeholder engagement and comprehensive studies undertaken over a two-year period by Renascor and technical and environmental specialists. In support of the MLA, Renascor commissioned extensive technical and environmental risk and impact assessments, including in respect of groundwater, surface water, air quality, traffic, noise, and flora and fauna. The studies establish proposed control and management strategies to ensure there will be no adverse impacts on the nearby sensitive receptors, or the surrounding environment in general.

More +

    Downloads

    Name Description Download Select
    12696.pdf

About this record

Record No mesac29264
Topic Geoscientific Information
Type of Resource Document
Category Type
Document Type Mineral Company Report - Mineral Exploration
Contributor Pontifex and Associates Pty Ltd;AEC Environmental;ALS Metallurgy Pty Ltd;Zonge Engineering and Research Organisation (ZERO)
Sponsor Eyre Peninsula Minerals Pty Ltd;Trestrail, J.
Tenement
Tenement Holder Ausmin Development Pty Ltd
Operator Eyre Peninsula Minerals Pty Ltd;Renascor Resources Ltd
Geological Province
Mine Name Siviour prospect;Paxtons prospect;Buckies prospect;Siviour West prospect;Malbrom prospect
Stratigraphy
Commodity
Notes
Notes: This release to the public of the subject mineral exploration data, namely, company data which was acquired more than 5 years ago, is being done by DMITRE in accord with the provisions of Section 77D of the Mining Act 1971 and Regulation 88...

Notes: This release to the public of the subject mineral exploration data, namely, company data which was acquired more than 5 years ago, is being done by DMITRE in accord with the provisions of Section 77D of the Mining Act 1971 and Regulation 88 of the Mining Regulations 2011. Includes: - Standing, C., 25/10/2016. Report on Arno Graphite Project mineral resource estimation, October 2016. (Optiro Pty Ltd consultant's report for Renascor Resources). Appx 4 of project licences' third joint annual report to 28/1/2017. 55 pages, 8 appx, figures, 6 ref, tables. - Hall, S., Klinger, D., March 2018. Siviour Graphite Project - Prefeasibility Study - Metallurgy. Renascor Resources Lts. Appx. 3 to annual report to 28th January 2018. Pg. 360-376. - Jeuken, B., Magarey, P., Aug 2018. Siviour Graphite Project Hydrogeological Study. Groundwater Science. Appx. 10 to annual technical report to 29th January 2019. Pg. 402-510. - Renascor Resources - ASX Release 14th March 2018. Siviour Prefeasibility Study and Maiden Ore Reserve. Appx. 11 to annual technical report to 29th January 2019. Pg. 511-559. Geographic Locality: Central-eastern Eyre Peninsula;Cowell Hills;Verran;Malbrom Doc No: Env 12696 Drillhole: RC SIV001 - SIV006;(352869 - 352874);DDH SIVD007;(352875);Cameco Australia CRD090;(239070);16SIVRC008 - 16SIVRC031;(371320 - 371343);16SIVDD032 - 16SIVDD035;16SIVRC036 - 16SIVRC066;16SIVDD067 - 16SIVDD077;(300618);(300619);(300621);17SIVRC078 - 17SIVRC111

More +

Language English
Metadata Standard ISO 19115-3

Citations

Use constraints License
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Persistent identifier https://pid.sarig.sa.gov.au/document/mesac29264
Citation Young, D.I.;Pontifex, I.R.;Till, M.;Einthal, A.;Zhou, L.;McConachy, G.W.;Mann, S.;Klingner, D.;Lockheed, A. Data release - as updated [made at SA Director of Mines' discretion] : Verran and Malbrom (the Verran Project, then the Arno Graphite Project). Joint annual reports plus annual report, for the period 29/1/2014 to 28/1/2019. Mineral Company Report - Mineral Exploration
https://pid.sarig.sa.gov.au/document/mesac29264

Technical information

Status
Maintenance and Update Frequency
Geographic Reference GDA2020 (EPSG:7844)
Geo bounding box {"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[136,-34],[137,-34],[137,-33.5],[136,-33.5],[136,-34]]]}
Purpose

                    
                    

                    
                  
Lineage