Sentinel interp of Aircore to yesterday.
Emily at least 66 sites visited and two new lines set up and probably drilled. 400m spacing in east with a step out line (#6) as a testing line 800m to the west where previous holes 99 and 101 did not return carbonatite or significant assays.
Schematic for lines and probable aircore holes (red diamonds). Accuracy NOT guaranteed, probably some sites missing, some added by mistake but the overall idea will be 'reasonable' IMO.
Hole density: 400m line spacing and a little surprising there isn't a line between 5 and 6. Expect it to be added especially if the PXrF Gun and visuals gave good results around Hole 98. Along the fences spacing seems variable from 40m to some 80m with possibly some in between this. The density of holes may give a hint that the Gun/visuals warranted tightening to 40m.
These holes are probably vertical versus the -60 south of previous drilling so sometimes drilling at the same collar is testing a different zone as well as possibly testing above RC holes that exceed 100+m on the incline. Building up a database to come back with RC later. Hopefully.
How deep?
Looks like a transition to fresh 75-80m for these chips. Inclined at -60 gives a rough vertical depth of 65m for this site which is normal for aircore that can reach 100+m in most weathered rock situations (water/clays/driller and many others can be issues). Recoveries are generally good and can occasionally include small irregular sausages of core which give a better idea than chips.
Aircore doesn't need the wide access and pads required by RC and DD so the footprint is a bit more subtle especially with the resolution of Sentinel imagery.
Time lapse for Emily area
Lines 2-4 area at Emily
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Crean
Timing on drilling seems to overlap that at Emily. Work began in early May or perhaps even lat April on line preparation that I missed before.
Western Crean 200m spaced fences/lines with hole nominally 40m apart along them. Used this spacing estimate to scale in the sites between end points/sites. Accuracy reasonable - I hope.
Probably tested along strike of the carbonatite intersected in hole 8 for 600m to the west and 200m east.
Eastern Crean only one line drilled with a further definite access line 200m to the east. Lines 4 and 5 are very subtle and not even certain they aren't a figment of my imagination that requires more lines between DD holes 7 and 8.
Yellow boxes schematic carbonatite locations. Expect aircore drilling to test along strike as has been done at DD8. Whatever strike is.... Seems to be EW but with intrusives some irregularities often occur.
Depth?
Transition to Fresh may be a little deeper than at Emily. It does vary over Luni as well though the vertical depth is likely to be around 100m maximum.
For DD8 perhaps 80+-m vertical.
Time lapse Crean
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Say 100 holes; to fresh rock vertical average say 80m over carbonatites and perhaps less over other lithologies (or not).
Time frame 10-14 days??
14 days, ~8 holes per day @ 80m would be some tired but happy drillers, offsiders, geos and jaffas.
The reason aircore is used: quick and not too dirty like RAB.
10 days starting to push personnel and machine.
Short moves, easy ground for drilling, and the latter is possible.
Assays?
composites with a batch or two possibly on the way to the lab already. Early July, unless some priority samples, a likely time frame for first results.
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Impressions.
Looks like a very efficient crew out there.
Hole density might give a clue they are seeing carbonatite where expected and the gun is confirming grade.
However, most drilling fits what would be IMO predicted along strike from past results. The density, if across strike, at both Crean and Emily will inform RC targeting with perhaps a couple more infill lines before going further afield.
(20min delay)