Norwest Minerals has included the Tamba target in its upcoming drilling plans
The Tamba copper-gold geochemical target is associated with elevated gravity features and magnetic structures which extend through Prodigy Gold’s Arcee prospect
The Tamba heritage survey is complete, with the new Malibu and Duck IOCG and carbonatite targets to also be drill tested
Special report: Norwest Minerals has added the large ‘Tamba’ copper-gold geochemical target to its upcoming drilling program in the hotter than hot West Arunta province in Western Australia.
As well as several high-priority geochemical and magnetic critical mineral anomalies, NWM has added ‘Tamba’ with drilling to test the eastern extent of the ‘Arunta West’ project.
The 3km x 1.5km copper-gold anomaly sits along geophysical structures extending southeast through Prodigy Gold’s (ASX:PRX) Arcee gold prospect and northwest through tenements owned by mining behemoth Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO).
NWM says the target, which includes a large internal gold footprint of 2.5km x 0.5km, also contains a suite of anomalous elements including uranium, cobalt, cerium, lanthanum, barium, bismuth, and potassium.
The new niobium rush
Up to 90% of niobium is produced in Brazil but the West Arunta region, which straddles the WA and NT borders, is giving the South American country a run for its money with explorers like WA1 Resources (ASX:WA1) uncovering thick, high-grade niobium in the remote but highly mineralised province.
Since then, ongoing drilling success at the Luni discovery has seen that stock surge a barely believable 10,400% from 14c to $14.70/sh, a dream come true for investors.
Its success has also called attention to other explorers in the area such as fellow neighbours CGN Resources (ASX:CGR), Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) and Norwest Minerals (ASX:NWM), whose portfolio includes tenements that immediately abut Luni and sit directly adjacent from Rio’s tenure, where multiple targets have been earmarked for investigation.
Encounter was the latest to surge this week on niobium rich drill hits, including 52m at a stonking 3% Nb2O5, showing the gains on offer if Norwest too can hit the motherlode.
Upcoming drilling
“Tamba’s large copper-gold geochemical footprint and associated geophysical features makes it an exciting addition to our West Arunta drilling plans,” NWM CEO Charles Schaus says.
“Importantly, Tamba has been heritage cleared and is the likely starting point for the upcoming drill program which is currently being finalised.”
Along with Tamba, the new Malibu and Duck IOCG and carbonatite targets will also be drill tested.
Analysis of gravity data highlighted the two zones as large priority-one IOCG and carbonatite critical mineral targets.
Arunta West gravity map showing location of priority one geophysical target zones ‘Malibu and Duck.’ Pic: Norwest Minerals
Structural Interpretation reveals a potential fold system at Malibu with coincident magnetic and gravity highs in the fold hinge.
At Duck, a 5km x 1km elongated structure is identified as an IOCG target. These geophysical targets are supported by several strong high-priority geochemical anomalies identified in 2022.
This article was developed in collaboration with Norwest Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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