With Heritage clearance completed, i thought id revisit whats been found so far. I used GPT4 to analyse the two samples so far:
*Here’s an analysis of the assay results from samples 24WRCK049 and 24WRCK046, including what grades are generally considered high for each mineral or element:
Sample 24WRCK049
- Niobium Pentoxide (Nb2O5) 17.65%: This is considered an exceptionally high grade for niobium. Generally, niobium ore grades over 0.5% Nb2O5 are considered economically viable, and grades around 5% are considered very high. At nearly 18%, this grade is extraordinary.
- Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3) 0.15%: High-grade yttrium deposits typically range from 0.05% to 0.2% Y2O3, so a grade of 0.15% is within the upper range of what's considered high.
- Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta2O5) 10.81%: This is exceptionally high. Tantalum grades above 0.1% are usually considered high, making a grade of over 10% extremely valuable and rare.
- Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 31.39%: This is also a high grade. Ilmenite, one of the primary ores of titanium, typically contains 45-60% TiO2. However, for processed materials or concentrated ores, around 30% is very good.
- Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) 0.37%: For rare earths, grades above 2% TREO are generally considered high, so 0.37% is relatively low compared to typical high-grade rare earth deposits. However, the value depends on the specific mix of rare earths present. Further detailed Geochemical Testing is needed to determine the specific composition of the rare earth elements present in the samples.
Sample 24WRCK046
- Niobium Pentoxide (Nb2O5) 13.22%: This grade is also considerably higher than the threshold for high-grade niobium, making it a valuable finding.
- Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3) 0.13%: As with the other sample, this is near the upper end of high-grade yttrium deposits.
- Tantalum Pentoxide (Ta2O5) 6.27%: Similarly exceptional and well above the typical high-grade threshold for tantalum.
- Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) 18.97%: Although lower than in sample 24WRCK049, it's still a substantial concentration, particularly for a secondary titanium source.
- Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) 1.13%: While higher than in sample 24WRCK049, it remains below the typical high-grade threshold. However, the economic value can be significant if the composition includes heavier, more valuable rare earths.
Overall Summary
Both samples from the Wabli Creek project display exceptionally high grades for niobium and tantalum, significantly above typical economic thresholds. The titanium grades are robust, particularly in a secondary context alongside other high-value minerals. The rare earth grades are not as high as those seen in specialized rare earth mines but could still add considerable value depending on the specific elements present. The consistency of high grades across multiple valuable minerals makes this site particularly attractive for development, however further drilling is required to confirm depth and continuity.
Next steps: Given the high-grade results already identified at the Wabli Creek project, such as 17.65% Nb2O5 and 10.81% Ta2O5, further drilling would be a logical next step to fully assess the potential and prepare for possible development. This process would involve both infill drilling, to increase the density of data within the known mineralized zone, and exploratory drilling, to test the extents of the mineralization.
*GPT4
(20min delay)