Ann: Gifford Creek REE-Nb Carbonatite Update - Mangaroon, page-28

Analysis of Niobium Grades at Gifford Creek Carbonatite

Context and Industry Standards

To determine whether the niobium grades at the Gifford Creek Carbonatite are considered high or low, it's useful to compare them to industry standards and typical grades found in commercially viable niobium deposits. Niobium, primarily used in steel alloys and superconductors, is often extracted from pyrochlore deposits.

Industry Benchmarks

1. Global Average Niobium Grade:
   • Commercial niobium deposits, such as those in Brazil and Canada, generally have niobium (Nb2O5) grades ranging from 0.3% to 2.5%.
   • The Araxá deposit in Brazil, one of the largest niobium producers, has an average grade of around 2.5% Nb2O5.
   • The Niobec mine in Canada has an average grade of approximately 0.5-0.6% Nb2O5.

Gifford Creek Carbonatite Grades

The reported grades from the Gifford Creek Carbonatite are as follows:

• CBRC085: 48m @ 0.8% Nb2O5 from 30m, including 36m @ 1.0% Nb2O5 from 39m
• CBRC111: 48m @ 0.7% Nb2O5 from 63m, including 9m @ 1.4% Nb2O5 from 72m
• CBRC086: 77m @ 0.7% Nb2O5 from 16m, including 30m @ 1.0% Nb2O5 from 39m
• CBRC125: 59m @ 0.6% Nb2O5 from 63m, including 19m @ 1.0% Nb2O5 from 99m
• CBRC110: 39m @ 0.6% Nb2O5 from 66m, including 3m @ 1.1% Nb2O5 from 81m
• CBRC138: 57m @ 0.6% Nb2O5 from 45m, including 3m @ 1.4% Nb2O5 from 90m
• CBDD009: 51.4m @ 0.6% Nb2O5 from 74.6m, including 15m @ 1.1% Nb2O5 from 102m

Comparison and Interpretation

1. Grades:

   • The grades at Gifford Creek range from 0.6% to 1.4% Nb2O5.
   • These grades are higher than the Niobec mine in Canada and close to the lower end of the Araxá deposit in Brazil.
   • Given the significant intercepts and the consistent grades above 0.5%, these grades are considered commercially attractive and competitive.

2. Intercept Lengths:

   • The reported intercepts (ranging from 39m to 77m) indicate substantial thicknesses of niobium mineralization.
   • Long intercepts with consistent grades enhance the economic potential by suggesting a large volume of ore that can be processed.

3. Potential for High-Grade Zones:

   • The included high-grade zones (up to 1.4% Nb2O5) further add to the economic viability, offering opportunities for selective mining of higher-grade material.

Conclusion

Based on the grades and intercept lengths, the niobium grades at Gifford Creek Carbonatite are considered high within the context of typical commercial niobium deposits. The consistent grades around 0.6-0.8% Nb2O5 with higher-grade zones reaching up to 1.4% Nb2O5 are promising for commercial viability, making Gifford Creek a competitive niobium prospect.

Source: ChatGPT