A review of historic exploration data for the LK1 carbonatite target within Kingfisher Mining’s Arthur River project in Western Australia has provided further support for the potential of a large-scale rare earth element (REE) system.
The data revealed numerous REE and carbonatite mineralisation pathfinder elements, interpreted to include intrusion plugs as well as associated veins and dykes extending over a strike length of 9 kilometres and a width of more than 6.5km.
Previous drilling at LK1 targeted zinc-REE bearing ironstones and intersected broad zones of iron carbonate believed to be associated with the intrusion of carbonatites.
Potassic alteration was also identified from analysis of surface samples close to the ironstones and is interpreted to be fenite.
Recent airborne geophysical surveys completed by Kingfisher have highlighted numerous circular magnetic and radiometric features, which are reported to be potential carbonatite pipes in the LK1 area and broader Arthur River tenement package.
The review also showed significant potential of the Lockier target corridor to host carbonatite intrusive complexes, with numerous geophysical features and geochemical anomalies pointing to the potential presence of REE mineralisation associated with carbonatite intrusions.
Largest target
Kingfisher chief executive officer James Farrell said the review covered the largest target at LK1 as well as the surrounding region.
“This review has revealed an enormously exciting and significant body of evidence which supports the presence of a large-scale carbonatite system, including iron carbonates, fenite alteration as well as anomalous REE and pathfinder elements from previous drill holes and surface samples across a large area,” he said.
“Our fieldwork at LK1 and other high-priority targets is set to commence next month and will be initially focused on advancing these potential carbonatite intrusion targets.”
LK1 exploration phases
Previous exploration at LK1 was completed in three main phases from 1997 to 2009.
In 1997, Paladin Energy targeted surficial calcrete uranium mineralisation at the site, completing ground-based geophysical surveys, mapping and rock chip sampling and returning anomalous REE (lanthanum) results from one sample.
In 2001, Rio Tinto Exploration explored for Broken Hill-style massive sulphide mineralisation in the area, completing four drill holes which returned anomalous REE results from a limited REE suite including cerium, lanthanum, niobium and yttrium.
In 2009, the now-defunct Barranco Resources followed up Rio’s work, completing 25 drill holes targeting outcropping ironstones.
Due to the nature of the target base metal mineralisation, the drill holes were not assayed for REE.
