Halifax, Nova Scotia (FSCwire) - Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (“Namibia Critical Metals” or the “Company”) (TSXV:NMI) today announced that the first phase of drilling will commence on the Kunene Cobalt-Copper project in northern Namibia starting the first week of October. Two drill rigs are being mobilized to site with one diamond drill to commence a 2,000 m program starting on the interpreted westward extension of the Dolomite Ore Formation (“DOF”) which hosts the Opuwo cobalt-copper-zinc deposit, and one reverse circulation (“RC”) drill to commence testing the Okanihova lineament. The drill program follows the completion of a detailed airborne electromagnetic (“EM”) survey covering over 720 km2 of the project area (company press release August 27, 2018). A primary objective of the airborne EM survey was to delineate specific targets for drilling. The first phase program is designed to test as many accessible priority target areas as rapidly as possible along the DOF Extension, the Okanihova lineament, at Okanihova East and in the vicinity of Malachite Mountain (Figure 1). First analytical results are anticipated to be received in late November.
Don Burton, President of Namibia Critical Metals, stated “We have a prolific number of targets to assess at Kunene and this first phase of drilling is designed to quickly zero in on the most prospective target areas to which we could build access tracks over the past month. The diamond drill is being deployed to the DOF extension targets because we need to understand the detailed stratigraphy in order to recognize the DOF, which is a relatively narrow target. The RC drill is being directed to larger scale targets, often under cover where we can quickly determine the need for follow-up definition with diamond drilling. Given the scale of the project area we will not be able to get to priority targets in the western areas until early 2019.”
Overview of Drill Targets
The Kunene project area is characterized by widespread base metal and associated mineralization occurring in discrete sedimentary horizons such as the DOF where Co-Cu is associated with disseminations and veinlets of sulphide minerals, as well as orogenic copper, and stratabound Zn-Pb-Ag-V mineralization. The stratabound DOF hosts the Opuwo Co-Cu-Zn deposit which occurs on the contiguous ground held by Celsius Resources (“Celsius”) where it has been traced for over 35 kilometers. This stratigraphic package is interpreted to continue across the Kunene Project area and has now been clearly identified by the airborne EM survey over a strike length of 20 kilometers (Figure 1). Ground truthing in the eastern end where the stratigraphy crosses from the Celsius ground has found DOF-like subcrops and samples have been submitted for analysis. The continuing westward extension of the stratigraphy is subject to ground truthing that will be undertaken in early 2019.
Figure 1 – Kunene Co-Cu Project Area showing SkyTEM airborne survey area (white dash) and preliminary EM conductor picks for 5-10 channel and > 10 channels responses. Responses for < 5 channels not shown. Channel responses are provided in picovolts/meter. Background image is total magnetic intensity from the Namibian Geological Survey database combined with satellite surface topography.
To view the graphic in its original size, please click here
The Okanihova lineament is a well defined structure with strong cobalt-copper geochemical anomalies over its northeastern extremity, however the structure is largely under cover for over 10 kilometers to the southwest. The SkyTEM survey has shown continuous EM responses along its entire strike and drilling will target coincident EM responses with anomalous cobalt-copper in soils as well strong EM responses in the southwest that are under cover. Okanihova East appears to be the eastern continuation of the Okanihova lineament with favourable black shale host rocks and more discrete (1-3 kilometer) EM responses. The Malachite Mountain area is situated at the northeast end of the Okanihova lineament. Malachite Mountain has been previously tested by drilling and is known to host low grade but extensive copper mineralization. EM responses are weak in areas of known mineralization and more detailed evaluation of the geophysical data is being undertaken to model deeper and to assess stronger responses proximal to Malachite Mountain.
The Opuwo Deposit
The Opuwo deposit is the first primary cobalt discovery in Namibia and has demonstrated the potential for this part of northern Namibia to become a significant cobalt district. Celsius has reported that the Opuwo deposit hosts a maiden JORC compliant resource of 72.0 million tonnes at a grade of 0.11% cobalt, 0.42% copper and 0.41% zinc in the Indicated category, and a further 40.5 million tonnes at a grade of 0.12% cobalt, 0.41% copper and 0.46% zinc in the Inferred category. It is noted that the mineralization on the Celsius property may not be indicative of mineralization that may be found on the Kunene project area held by Namibia Critical Metals. Celsius is working towards delivery of a Scoping Study on Opuwo in Q4 of 2018 (Celsius press release June 22, 2018).
Donald M. Burton, P.Geo. and President of Namibia Critical Metals Inc., is the Company’s Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release.
About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
Namibia Critical Metals Inc. holds a diversified portfolio of exploration and advanced stage projects in the country of Namibia focused on the development of sustainable and ethical sources of metals for the battery, electric vehicle and associated industries. The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “NMI”.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information please contact -
| Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Don Burton, President Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760 Fax: +01 (902) 835-8761 Email: Info@NamibiaCMI.com Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com |
The foregoing information may contain forward-looking information relating to the future performance of Namibia Rare Earths Inc. Forward-looking information, specifically, that concerning future performance, is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions.
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Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (TSX Venture:NMI)
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