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@JandJYears more is a bit much.
WA1 got lucky in 2022 whereas ENR hole EAL001 was suspended due to a broken rig a couple of years before WA1 drilled and maybe over a year before WA1 picked up the ground.
Didactic point with WA1 following through on good exploration indicators quicker than ENR producing results that changed the perception of West Arunta with 4 of 7 holes drilled in 2022.
In 2023 WA1 tackled the Luni anomaly systematically with initial 200m spaced holes that demonstrated continuity of high grade, relatively shallow Nb that warranted further infill to some 100m . A full on discovery which will take much more drilling to define and quantify at levels where possible mining can take place.
P2 was not re-visited till later in the 2023 season with interesting results that are perhaps more akin to what ENR are showing... to date.
At the first ENR meeting (pre Luni/P2) I attended Will R or PC commented that John Hronsky was HOT on the potential for Aileron. Probably more for IOCG than carbonatite but he liked the macro tectonics of the area which, in his past history, had led 'seridipitously' (or not) to significant discoveries at Nebo/Babel, Tropicana, and Karlawinda (CMM). This snippet of info did influence my investment choice.
In 2023 ENR came back to Aileron, with the knowledge of the WA1 Luni and P2 discoveries.
They completed EAL001 intersecting a thin carbonatite dyke at depth. Wide spaced drilling planned at Crean and Hurley did turn up carbonatite which was then followed up more quickly than WA1's 2022 campaign - for obvious reasons. PXRF may not get reported in announcements but does give field geos a qualitative idea of what is present on top of whatever visuals they may have allowing for a more rapid response to modifying drilling plans IF many factors are met. This can probably be seen in the patterns of drilling conducted at Crean/Hurley/Emily and perhaps Green by ENR in 2023.
Initial wide spaced drilling at 400m, or more, with a second phase of infill/extension before the end of the season which was way more than the 2022 first pass by WA1 but with the hindsight of the latter's results a more thorough INITIAL first pass which will lead to ENR's 2024 planned program.
Luni may be the big one in the area, or not, only several years of exploration/development(?) drilling will show one way or the other.
Exploration is at an early stage in the West Arunta which does commonly have thin cover making geophysics a primary targeting too. With the feedback from drilling done to date there doesn't seem to be an easy 'fix' for targetting potential carbonatites/IOCGs in the area. The addition of the Joyce target is probably a response to the ongoing analysis of what may be 'good' targets.
The current idea maybe that magnetic lows on the margins of Falcon Gravity (with major faults) are the best targets??
Green anomaly is modified from earlier focusing on the arcuate structure that hopefully represents a carbonatite intrusion. Very large area to be explored with possible favourable geology extending further to the east and west on multiple holders land.
To the south magnetics suggests basement may be too deep.
To the north mapping suggests the hosts may be too young which doesn't totally preclude mineralisation just a different age and type? perhaps.
Interesting to see that Aircore drilling will be part of ENR's 2024 drill strategy.
There is little doubt IMO that there will be enough mineralisation at Luni for a mine to be possible. However, the challenge to Brazilian producers will change the supply situation, in ways that remain to be seen, making overall economics a major hurdle. Whether the analogy is pertinent or not the recent slump in Lithium price due to oversupply combined with a reduced demand shows a pattern that has been repeated many times for many elements at varying degrees throughout the history of mining.
Noticed another post
@JandJ 2023 was a busy year for access and site prep for ENR when they made the most of the access they had to WA1's earth-mover. Site geo (last AGM) commented that the scrub is very sparse and terrain mostly flat so very rapid access can be created. They also made more drill sites than could be drilled in 23 and access so they could 'hit the ground running' in 24.
Rough access locations from 2023 sentinel analysis in Red on Falcon gravity data at the east end of Aileron (maybe need new name for this area?).
The white box contains one possible way of accessing east of Mawson where sand dune country needs to be considered.
(20min delay)