Thanks
@salpetie, lot of drilling there to consider now. After comparing Kuni against Arazx (very thick oxide enrichment), Cummins (structurally controlled breccia)and a few other lateralised carbonatites I also came to the conclusion Luni's supergene enrichment most resembles Mt Weld (hackneyed as that reference is). Here is Mt Weld with more detail of the variation in primary element variations across the carbonatite, enriched in the deep weathering zone into 'deposits'. Place Luni against it at scale for reference, black ovals same both carbs.
Here is a visual of Mt Weld ore zones, and destruction below of the geology of each laterite weathering layer.
Within the thick and REO high-grade Central Lanthanide Deposit (CLD) the thickness of each weathering zone can be highly variable. That points to the requirement for WA1 to infill enough to provide some statistical support for thickness besides defining the boundaries. Niobium mineralisation at Luni so far is strongly confined to a relatively thin but very high grade zone, below a generally strongly depleted zones, and sitting immediately above the 'base of complete oxidation' (BOX). Below the BOX is semi-weathered one presumes (Mt Weld Apatite zone equivalent), and below that is the Transitional zone of mostly fresh carbonatite with oxidation chasing down fractures and fluid pathways. The Transitional zone is represented in a section from 2020 discussing two water bore holes, also variable in depth.
In the Mt Weld Fig 2 section, the orange 'ore zone' comprises two geologically separate weathering zones (LI and CZ from above). Seems very likely even from early results reported that Luni effectively has the Nb-REE-P concentrated entirely in the lower CZ equiv zone below a depleted LI zone. Below the BOX grades drop off to <1% and from LUN series holes the grades drop further again into the transitional zone and fresh obviously. Absent any structurally controlled primary lodes of material size (ie Cummins) that Luni's supergene deposit(s) are a function of broad scale primary element enrichment, multiplied of course by weathering concentration.
Time will tell what dimensions and what elements are concentrated where at Luni. Grade is without question Mt Weld like in a global 'best of breed' sense, but thick ness will prove important for tonnes and strip. 2m @ 4% Nb2O5 is great, but not necessarily if it starts at 80m depth. Also, what is the average grade beneath the BOX, is it closer to 1% or 0.6%... big difference for LOM extension possibility. Very high-grade supergene may reflect a 10x enrichment more so than primary grade to start with.
I've got no skin in the game but it's a very interesting set-up for next next 3 months of assays as they get released and the picture evolves...
GLTAH
(20min delay)