2. A large area of interestwhere these results exist has been identified as Olympic Dam age intrusives - but much closer to surface - and is on granted lease. See ASX ann 2022-10-25.Extrapolating from a small number of samples in one hole to a regional basis may ultimately be correct but potentially flawed logic.This does NOT give a date for carbonatites. It may, but more direct evidence is needed. The data came from EAL001 which was subsequently deepened last year.I don't see this as negating the company statement. Don't know what is going on but going to a "large area of interest where these results exist" has yet to be proven. Certainly will have a good idea after this season's drill program.
Essentially four units in the hole - at this scale.
Top to bottom
- Altered granite and mafic intrusions presumably the source for the GSWA sample(s).
- Altered magnetite rich plus BIF+-intrusives - probably a source of the magnetic anomaly.
- Carbonatite dyke - relatively thin.
- Altered QF granitoid - different to top 100m?
Multiple intrusive units here for which relative ages might come from cross cutting relationships. Would help to have more information but given the relatively weak economic incentive that won't be a priority.
What age is the carbonatite dyke (3 above)?
Given the probable cross cutting/faulting relationship it may be the youngest unit in the hole in relative terms. Until some age dates are forthcoming it could be much younger or coeval both of which have implications to exploration.
On the other hand the lithologies of Unit 1 could be intrusive and everything further down hole is older.
The level of alteration (albeit variable types) possibly means the carbonatite intruded a pre-existing sequence.
Yes there are rocks with OD age but IMO is not necessarily an indication of the ENR/WA1 section of the Aileron containing large volumes. Hope it does. Nb is the buzz now rather than IOCGs so the age of Carbonatite intrusions is more important - for now.
Drilling along strike at Crean and perhaps Hurley may have given ENR a better idea of relative carbonatite age. Ultimately it does not really matter if there is enough material that can be mined, but at the exploration stage making the right assumptions and extrapolations does matter.
Prelim data from drilling. No Bif units mentioned or granites though granitoid could be a correlate of unit 1 above.
Much wider carbonatite unit.
Lamprophyre body may correlate with gravity/mag high. New unit for Aileron.
Sedimentary units in the upper part of Hole 7D hint at Lake Mackay quartzite. Too little data.
Breccia and alteration to the north.
============
Perhaps the main issue I had was how you,
@JandJ, interpreted what is a fairly common practice by exploration companies to use analogies to existing deposits/mines. They may be correct, although no two deposits are identical.
The impression I gleaned from your post was of vast areas of potential. Hopefully correct, but
potentially flawed logic.
