Paradigm Gold Ltd has reported the results of the recent Reverse Circulation drill program at the White Rock project, located 110km south of Orange near Rye Park, central New South Wales (EL 6274).
According to the company, the tungsten results are very encouraging as several intercepts confirm the high tungsten grades previously reported, including several intersections made outside of the existing Mineral Resource. Several tin intercepts are particularly significant, given that economic levels of tin mineralisation were not recognised by previous explorers.
Paradigm has previously reported a Mineral Resource (Indicated and Inferred categories) at White Rock of 150,000 tonnes at 0.9% WO3 based on drill results from over 50 years ago by Tungsten Consolidated Ltd, and a few additional holes drilled by Copper Strike Ltd during 2006. No tin assays are available for the Tungsten Consolidated Ltd drill holes.
A total of 43 RC drill holes were completed in the recent program for a total advance of 1700m, testing a number of exploration targets defined by ground magnetic anomalies. While several of the regional targets returned only anomalous tungsten, tin, and/or copper results, the best results were found in drill holes within 200m of the White Rock Mineral Resource.
The new drill results indicate a mineralised core of tungsten mineralisation lies close to the outcropping granite, which is surrounded by a halo of potentially economic tin mineralisation on its eastern side. The highest-grade tungsten occurs with visible molybdenite which may also be recoverable as a credit. Cassiterite (SnO2) is most likely the tin mineral present, although mineralogical studies are underway to confirm this.
Tin is currently highly valued with a market price of approximately $20,000 per tonne. If tin is present as cassiterite, it can generally easily be separated using gravity methods given its high specific gravity, much like the tungsten mineral scheelite (SG of cassiterite is 7g/cc, SG of scheelite is 6g/cc).
The discovery of tin mineralisation without magnetite is significant, because only magnetic anomalies have been drilled to date. Further drilling will start as soon as a suitable rig can be contracted, to target high-grade tungsten mineralisation on the western side of the White Rock as well as the peripheral tin mineralisation.
- 08 May 2007
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