Savannah Resources Plc / Index: AIM / Epic: SAV / Sector: Mining
28 February 2017
Savannah Resources Plc
High Grade HMS Mineralisation Confirmed at Ravene, Mutamba Project, Mozambique
Savannah Resources plc (AIM: SAV) ('Savannah' or 'the Company'), the AIM quoted resource development company, is pleased to confirm that is has identified significant zones of high grade total heavy mineral ('THM') mineralisation at the Ravene deposit in Mozambique. This follows the receipt of drill results from recent work undertaken by Savannah alongside the compilation and verification of legacy drill work undertaken by Rio Tinto (Figures 1). The Ravene deposit forms part of the Mutamba Mineral Sands Project, being explored by Savannah and Rio Tinto as part of a consortium agreement (the 'Consortium'). To view the press release with the illustrative maps and diagrams please use the following link:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9872X_-2017-2-27.pdf
HIGHLIGHTS:
· Compilation and verification of legacy Rio Tinto drilling was completed highlighting significant zones of high grade THM mineralisation
· Significant Rio Tinto results at 5% THM cut off include:
o 12m at 15.4% THM from surface in hole 2762
o 18m at 9.1% THM from surface in hole 2807
o 21m at 7.9% THM from surface in hole 2812
o 45m at 7.7% THM from surface in hole 2593
o 27m at 6.4% THM from surface in hole 2757
· Infill drilling carried out by Savannah for 107 drill holes for a total of 2,914m has successfully confirmed the zones of high grade THM mineralisation
· Significant Savannah results at a 5% THM cut off include:
o 12m at 10.5% THM from surface in hole 5000
o 12m at 8.7% THM from surface in hole 4952
o 15m at 8.1% THM from surface in hole 4946
o 27m at 7.1% THM from surface in hole 4946
o 36m at 6.5% THM from surface in hole 4932
· Drilling confirmed the existence of two mineralised zones of heavy mineral concentrations >5% THM at Ravene, with the main zone having a length of 3.5km and widths up to 1.5km
· Results will be used to estimate an initial Inferred Mineral Resource over the Ravene deposit - the current work programme focused on the known high grade portions of the mineralisation and further drilling is required to define possible extensions of the mineralisation
· The resource estimation will be fast tracked and included into the Scoping Study, which is currently underway
Savannah's CEO, David Archer said: "The drilling results have underscored the Ravene deposit as a potential point of focus for evaluation as an initial mining area in the Scoping Study, which is currently underway. High THM grades have been identified from surface, which are very supportive of our development model for a high grade, low stripping ratio dry mining development. The Ravene deposit main zone shows very good continuity with thick sections of high grades in a 3.5km long zone and up to 1.5km wide. The programme was successfully planned and executed to more precisely define the high grade zones of THM at the Ravene deposit, which we believe could increase the current global Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource inventory of 3.5 billion tonnes at 3.8% THM at the Mutamba Project North. In parallel, our Scoping Study to better determine the development potential of Mutamba continues to progress well."
Figure 1. Mutamba Project Location Map - see PDF link
Introduction
The Mutamba Project is subject to a consortium agreement between Savannah and Rio Tinto and is operated by Savannah. The Mutamba Project includes the Mutamba Project North (consisting of Jangamo, Dongane and Ravene deposits) and the Chilubane deposit, which is located 180km to the southwest of the Mutamba Project North. The current resource statement of 3.5 billion tonnes at 3.8% THM includes only the Jangamo and Dongane deposits (Figure 1).
The Ravene deposit which is part of the Mutamba Project North is relatively under evaluated and the drilling results suggest that it has the potential to host significant zones of high grade heavy minerals. The aim of the drilling at Ravene was to infill the original grid on a 500m line spacing to provide drilling information at a concentration of 500m x 500m so that it can be used to calculate an inferred mineral resource and be incorporated into the Scoping Study which is currently underway.
Rio Tinto Drilling
Rio Tinto completed an initial drill programme at Ravene between 2002 and 2004, drilling a total of 119 holes RC for 5,039m on a 1km by 500m grid (Figure 2-3). These results have now been reviewed and verified by the recent Savannah drill programme. The top 10 significant results are summarised below in Table 1, with full results in Appendix 1-3.
The drilling confirmed three main zones of heavy mineral concentrations greater than 5% THM. The largest of these zones occurred in the northern block of the drill grid, occurring over a distance of 8km. The mineralisation is seen to occur in sequence of parabolic dunes made up of third generation of dunes striking on a north-south trend. The two other mineralised zones occur in the southern block of the Ravene deposit and are smaller, occurring over a distance of 4km for one and 1km for the other.
Table 1. Summary of Top 10 Results from Historical Rio Tinto Drilling
Rio Tinto |
3% THM Cut off |
5% THM Cut off |
Hole |
From (m) |
Width (m) |
Avg THM % |
Width (m) |
Avg THM % |
2591 |
0 |
33 |
6.0 |
30 |
6.3 |
2593 |
0 |
48 |
7.5 |
45 |
7.7 |
2702 |
0 |
45 |
5.6 |
42 |
5.8 |
2711 |
0 |
27 |
5.5 |
27 |
5.5 |
2757 |
0 |
39 |
5.5 |
27 |
6.4 |
2762 |
0 |
30 |
8.3 |
12 |
15.4 |
2780 |
0 |
63 |
5.4 |
63 |
5.4 |
2807 |
0 |
33 |
6.5 |
18 |
9.1 |
2811 |
0 |
24 |
5.9 |
18 |
6.6 |
2812 |
0 |
24 |
7.4 |
21 |
7.9 |
Savannah Drilling
Drilling at Ravene (Figure 2-3) was carried out over a 21km length, targeting specific zones of high grade mineralisation outlined by the Rio Tinto drilling. The programme commenced in December 2016 and was completed in January 2017, with 107 holes drilled for a total of 2,914m. The top 10 significant results are summarised below in Table 2, with full results in Appendix 1-3.
The results of the infill drilling carried out by Savannah confirmed the existence of the major zone of heavy mineral concentrations in northern Ravene block. The bulk of the high grade concentrations are found in the southern section of the main zone with a length of 3.5km and widths up to 1.5km. The mineralisation to the north of this zone is consistent at cut off grades of 3% and 4% THM. The mineralisation in southern Ravene is more discrete comprising three smaller zones up to 1.9km in length, which has a greater continuity at a 3% cut-off. A typical cross section of the mineralisation at Ravene can be found in Figure 4.
Further assessment of the mineralogy of the heavy minerals at Ravene will be conducted on material retrieved during the recent drilling programme. Previous studies, however, indicate the THM at Ravene contains approximately 54% ilmenite and 2.3% zircon.
Table 2. Summary of Top 10 Results from Recent Savannah Resources Drilling
Savannah Resource |
3% THM Cut off |
5% THM Cut off |
Hole |
From (m) |
Width (m) |
THM % |
Width (m) |
THM % |
4932 |
0 |
39 |
6.2 |
36 |
6.5 |
4944 |
0 |
36 |
5.0 |
21 |
6.3 |
4945 |
0 |
21 |
7.0 |
15 |
8.1 |
4946 |
0 |
27 |
7.1 |
27 |
7.1 |
4952 |
0 |
15 |
7.7 |
12 |
8.7 |
4954 |
0 |
42 |
5.9 |
33 |
6.3 |
4957 |
0 |
24 |
5.6 |
21 |
5.9 |
4979 |
0 |
36 |
6.4 |
33 |
6.7 |
4998 |
0 |
39 |
6.1 |
39 |
6.1 |
5000 |
0 |
27 |
6.7 |
12 |
10.5 |
Figure 2. Map of the Ravene prospect area with Savannah's completed drilling (blue) and existing Rio Tinto drilling (black) highlighting key results using a 3% THM cut off showing the consistent broad zone of mineralisation identified - see PDF link
Figure 3. Map of the Ravene prospect area with Savannah's completed drilling (blue) and existing Rio Tinto drilling (black) highlighting key results using a 5% THM cut off - see PDF link
Figure 4. East to West Section - Ravene Deposit showing mineralisation and geology - see PDF link
Competent Person and Regulatory Information
The information in this document that relates to exploration results is based upon information compiled by Mr Dale Ferguson, Technical Director of Savannah Resources Limited. Mr Ferguson is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (JORC Code). Mr Ferguson consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.
The information in this document that relates to the resource estimation is based upon information compiled by Mr Colin Rothnie, an independent consultant. Mr Rothnie is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (JORC Code). Mr Rothnie consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014.
**ENDS**
For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com or contact:
David Archer |
Savannah Resources plc |
Tel: +44 20 7117 2489 |
David Hignell / Gerry Beaney (Nominated Adviser) |
Northland Capital Partners Ltd |
Tel: +44 20 3861 6625 |
Jon Belliss / Elliot Hance (Corporate Broker) |
Beaufort Securities Ltd |
Tel: +44 20 7382 8300 |
Charlotte Page / Lottie Brocklehurst (Financial PR) |
St Brides Partners Ltd |
Tel: +44 20 7236 1177 |
Notes
Savannah Resources Plc (AIM: SAV) is a growth oriented, multi-commodity, mineral development company.
Mozambique
Savannah operates the Mutamba heavy mineral sands project in Mozambique in collaboration with Rio Tinto, and can earn a 51% interest in the related Consortium, which has an established initial Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 3.5 billion tonnes at 3.8% THM over the Jangamo and Dongane deposits. Under the terms of the Consortium Agreement with Rio Tinto, upon delivery by Savannah of the following Savannah will earn the corresponding interest in the Mutamba Project: Scoping Study - 20%; Pre-Feasibility Study - 35%; Feasibility Study - 51%. Additionally, the Consortium Agreement includes an offtake agreement on commercial terms for the sale of 100% of production to Rio Tinto (or an affiliate).
Oman
Savannah has interests in two copper blocks in the highly prospective Semail Ophiolite Belt in Oman. The projects, which have an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7Mt @ 2.2% copper and high grade intercepts of up to 56.35m at 6.21% Cu, with gold credits, provide Savannah with an excellent opportunity to potentially evolve into a mid-tier copper and gold producer in a relatively short time frame. Together with its Omani partners, Savannah aims to outline further mineral resources to provide the critical mass for a central operating plant to develop the deposits and in December 2015 outlined exploration targets of between 10,700,000 and 29,250,000 tonnes grading between 1.4% and 2.4% copper.
Finland
Savannah has Reservation Permits over two new lithium projects, Somero and Erajarvi, covering an area of 159km² in Finland. Savannah holds a 100% interest in these projects through its Finnish subsidiary Finkallio Oy. Geological mapping by the Finnish Government within the project areas has highlighted the presence of lithium minerals spodumene, lepidolite and petalite with the Government also identifying Somero and Erajarvi as one of the most prospective areas to discover lithium deposits in Finland. Follow up work to further expand and define the pegmatites in readiness for drilling is being planned for the second quarter of 2017 (after winter).