23 Feb 2023
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

MetalsGrove Mining eyes strong pipeline of results from critical metals portfolio

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) is advancing a suite of critical metals projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory with a strong pipeline of results to be delivered over the next 6-8 months.

northern territory mining map

The following are the latest updates from MetalsGrove’s projects:

Upper Coondina Lithium Project – WA

Upper Coondina is a lithium, tin and tantalum project in the highly prospective Pilbara Mineral Field in Western Australia.

The project is near lithium and tantalum producers including Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS) (Pilgangoora Project), Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX:MIN) (Wodgina) and Global Lithium Resources Ltd (ASX:GL1).

Surface mapping and sampling at Upper Coondina have confirmed multiple outcropping pegmatite dykes from 3 to 30 metres wide occurring in swarms.

MetalsGrove’s maiden 4,200 metres reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign was completed in December 2022 with the first assays due in Q1 2023.

Arunta Project – NT

MetalsGrove has identified advanced rare earth elements (REE), lithium, copper, gold and base metal targets at the Arunta Project in the Northern Territory.

The company is getting ready to start drilling at three priority target areas within Arunta:

  • Bruce Prospect: maiden 3,000-metre drill program to start in Q2 2023 to test the bedrock conductor and historical pegmatite mines;
  • Box Hole Prospect: maiden 2,500-metre drill program to start in Q2 2023 to test the known mineralisation and geophysical targets; and
  • Edwards Creek: maiden 600-metre drill program to start in Q2 2023 to test the known mineralisation down-dip extension and geophysical targets.

Woodie Woodie North Manganese Project – WA

The Woodie Woodie North Manganese Project covers an area of about 13,740 hectares and is adjacent to well-known manganese mines in the Pilbara.

Surface sampling has returned several highly anomalous assays up to 52% manganese with 12 drill-ready walk-up drilling targets defined.

MetalsGrove has planned a maiden 2,500-metre drilling program at Woodie Woodie North in Q3 2023 to test a broad conductor along a major structural corridor.

Article courtesy of Proactive

guys using a mining drill
24 Jan 2023
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

MetalsGrove Mining completes heritage survey across key Arunta Project tenements

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) has completed a heritage survey across key tenements within the Arunta Project, 10 kilometres north of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

This survey was undertaken by members of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) and covered the area comprising the Bruce, Box Hole and Edwards Creek tenements.

The Arunta Project hosts a considerable suite of REE, gold and base metal targets which will be a key focus for near-term exploration.

Arunta Tenements

“Compelling targets”

MetalsGrove managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We would like to thank the Traditional Owners of this land for their efforts in completing this important heritage survey.

“We are pleased that the outcomes from the survey allow MetalsGrove to undertake our planned exploration programs across some advanced and highly prospective REE, gold and base metals targets at Arunta.

“Our work to date has already identified some compelling targets, with surface field mapping and rock chip sampling within the Bruce Prospect area highlighting multiple zones of mineralised pegmatites.

“We look forward to reporting further updates on activity in the near term.”

Broad conductor

In July 2022, MetalsGrove identified a broad conductor at Bruce Prospect along strike from the Plenty River mine, which is adjacent to magnetic features interpreted to be components of the pegmatite intrusion.

Consequently, a program of about 3,000 metres of RC drilling is proposed to test the bedrock conductor at Whistleduck, Plenty River and Whitehorse historical pegmatite mines in three different stages, all within the Bruce Prospect area.

At Box Hole and Edwards Creek another 3,000 meters of RC drilling is proposed to test known exploration drilling targets.

Article courtesy of Proactive

24 Jan 2023
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Heritage Survey Complete at Arunta Project, Northern Territory

Critical metals exploration and development company MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA), (“MetalsGrove” “MGA” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that it has received the results from a recently completed Heritage Survey (“Survey”) at the Arunta Project, located 110km north of Alice Springs.

Highlights

  • Heritage survey complete across key tenements within the Arunta Project including Bruce, Box Hole and Edwards Creek
  • Arunta Project hosts a considerable suite of REE, gold and base metal targets which will be a key focus for near-term exploration
  • Heritage clearance has now been granted allowing planned work programs to commence
  • Initial program of approximately 10,000m of air core drilling will test the bedrock conductor at Whistleduck, Plenty River and Whitehorse historical pegmatite mines located within the Bruce Prospect area

The Survey was undertaken by members of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) and covered the area comprising the Bruce (EL31225), Box Hole (EL32419) and Edwards Creek (EL32420) tenements.

As previously reported (see ASX release dated 20th July 2022), MetalsGrove has identified a broad conductor at the Bruce Prospect, along strike from the Plenty River mine which is adjacent to magnetic features interpreted to be components of the pegmatite intrusion. The broad conductor has not been tested to date.

At the Bruce Prospect, a program of approximately 3,000 meters RC drilling is proposed to test the bedrock conductor at Whistleduck, Plenty River and Whitehorse historical pegmatite mines in three different stages.

At the Box Hole and Edwards Creek another 3,000 meters RC drilling is proposed to test the known exploration drilling targets.

Commenting on the completion of the heritage survey at Arunta, MetalsGrove’s Managing Director, Sean Sivasamy said:

“We would like to thank the Traditional Owners of this land for their efforts in completing this important Heritage Survey. We are pleased that the outcomes from the survey allow MetalsGrove to undertake our planned exploration programs across some advanced and highly prospective REE, gold and base metals targets at Arunta.

Our work to date has already identified some compelling targets, with surface field mapping and rock chip sampling within the Bruce Prospect area highlighting multiple zones of mineralised pegmatites. We look forward to reporting further updates on activity in the near-term.”

Arunta Project (Bruce, Edwards Creek, Box Hole Projects) – NT

The Arunta Project ~300 km by road from Alice Springs and 13 km north of the Plenty Highway (see Figure 1).

Bruce Prospect (EL 31225)

The Bruce Prospect is located within the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory and covers an area of approximately 17,722 ha and the maximum distance across the project is about 25 km east–west and 10 km north–south.

The nearest historical mine is the inactive Harts Range garnet mine (approximately 80 km to the west-southwest) while the Molyhil tungstenmolybdenum project (Thor Mining PLC) is approximately 10 km to the northeast.

Edwards Creek Prospect (EL 32420)

The Edwards Creek polymetallic (copper-lead-zinc-gold) prospect comprises a single granted mineral exploration licence (EL32420), located approximately 85 km north-northeast of Alice Springs, NT. The tenement covers an area of approximately 7,568 ha.

Box Hole Prospect (EL32419)

The Box Hole zinc-lead, REE prospect comprises a single granted mineral exploration license (EL32419), located approximated 340 km northeast of Alice Springs, NT. The tenement covers an area of approximately 12,765 ha.

Arunta Project Location Map
Figure 1: Arunta Project Location Map
20 Dec 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Metalsgrove Mining (ASX:MGA) wraps up first round of drilling at Upper Coondina, WA

Highlights

  • MetalsGrove (MGA) hits the main target zone at the Chola prospect as part of the first round of drilling at its Upper Coondina project in Western Australia
  • The maiden 4200 metre drilling program was focused on the Chola prospect where earlier soil sampling work confirmed strong potential for lithium and tantalum
  • Drilling was also carried out across the Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River prospects, with assays from the entire phase one program expected in late February
  • Additionally, a deep, ground penetrating radar survey identified 23 potential pegmatite structures connected to existing mineralised pegmatites within the Chola prospect
  • Company shares were up 6.25 per cent, trading at 17 cents at 12:50 pm AEDT

MetalsGrove (MGA) has hit the main target zone at the Chola prospect as part of the first round of drilling at its Upper Coondina project in Western Australia.

The maiden 4200 metre drilling program focused on the Chola prospect where earlier soil sampling work confirmed strong potential for lithium and tantalum.

Drilling was also carried out across the Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River prospects, with assays from the entire phase one program expected in late February.

At the same time, the company completed a deep, ground penetrating radar survey that identified 23 new potential pegmatite structures connected to existing mineralised pegmatites within the Chola prospect.

MetalsGrove’s Managing Director Sean Sivasamy said the survey data is “highly encouraging” and he said the company is “well positioned” to hit the ground running as it heads into the new year.

“We are delighted to have completed our maiden reverse circulation drilling program at the Chola prospect on time and on budget before the end of the year.

“Our first drilling program was designed to confirm the width, tenure and mineralisation profile of the pegmatites, down from 60 to 120 metres plus depths, and we are confident these initial objectives have been achieved.”

While awaiting the assay results, the company said detailed mapping of the area north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River prospects will continue, to further enhance geological modelling.

Survey work has also been planned to continue in the areas north of the prospects to identify any extensions of the undercover pegmatites.

Company shares were up 6.25 per cent, trading at 17 cents at 12:50 pm AEDT.

Article Courtesy of The Market Herald

19 Dec 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

MetalsGrove Mining concludes 4,200-metre drilling program at Upper Coondina Lithium Project

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) has completed its maiden 4,200-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Upper Coondina Lithium Project in Western Australia.

The maiden drilling program was designed to test the priority lithium targets at the recently discovered Chola Prospect in the southeast of the main Upper Coondina Project area.

Notably, MetalsGrove has successfully intersected the main target zone at Chola with the first assays expected to be reported in Q1 2023.

Inaugural Drilling at Upper Coondina.

MetalsGrove has also completed a DGPR (deep ground penetrating radar) survey at Upper Coondina.

DGPR is a proven technique for identifying additional pegmatites and establishing a more detailed understanding of subsurface mineralisation.

MetalsGrove managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We are delighted to have completed our maiden RC drilling program at the Chola Prospect on time and on budget before the end of the year.

“Chola is an exciting structure with soil sampling already confirming the strong lithium and tantalum potential in the region.

“Our first drilling program was designed to confirm the width, tenure and mineralisation profile of the pegmatites, down from 60 to 120m plus depths, and we are confident these initial objectives have been achieved.”

DGPR survey

Ultramag Geophysics was engaged by the company to undertake a DGPR survey to identify pegmatites and investigate subsurface potential for the known, mapped and sampled at the Upper Coondina lithium project.

Excellent signal quality from depths of 30 metres to 100 metres was recorded and a total of 28.5 kilometres of line-data at 50 metres to 150 metres spacing was completed.

The DGPR survey has identified 23 new potential pegmatite structures conjugate with existing known mineralised pegmatites within the Chola Prospect.

Mapped pegmatites with DGPR interpreted pegmatites at the Chola Prospect.

The newly interpreted pegmatites appear to be much wider than the mapped and sampled pegmatites at Chola.

They are also interpreted to start below the surface and extend slightly deeper; orientation is correlated with the known surface outcrop pegmatite.

Sivasamy added: “Our DGPR survey has also highlighted a host of new potential pegmatite structures nearby to the Chola Prospect which is highly encouraging.

“MetalsGrove is well positioned to hit the ground running in early 2023 with a busy pipeline of activity planned across the portfolio.

“We look forward to providing further updates as initial assays from Upper Coondina come to hand early in the New Year.”

Next Steps

  • RC Drill samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis;
  • continue detailed field mapping in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to further enhance the geological modelling;
  • continue DGPR survey in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to identify potential extensions of the undercover pegmatites;
  • planning for follow-up programs once assay results have been received and interpreted;
  • start planning for heritage surveys prior to drill programs; and
  • planning underway for surface field mapping and sampling.

Article Courtesy of Proactive Investors

View Proactive Investors’ Price & Profile Page

19 Dec 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Phase One Drilling Programme Complete – Upper Coondina Lithium Project

Critical metals exploration and development company MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA), (“MetalsGrove” “MGA” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that it has completed its maiden 4,200m Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drilling programme at the Upper Coondina Lithium Project, located 80 km south of Marble Bar.

Highlights

  • 4,200m Phase 1 drilling programme completed at the Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Lithium Prospects – on time and on budget
  • High priority Chola Prospect is a pegmatite corridor measuring approx. 4.0 km x 2.0 km
  • Previously completed first pass soil sampling assay results at Chola Prospect confirm strong lithium and tantalum potential
  • Deep Ground Penetrating Radar (DGPR) survey has identified 23 new potential pegmatite structures conjugate with existing known mineralised pegmatites within Chola Prospect
  • DGPR is proven to be highly effective for identifying pegmatites in previous known pegmatite outcrops
  • First drilling assays are expected to be reported in late February

This maiden drilling programme was designed to test the priority lithium targets at the recently discovered Chola Prospect in the south-east of the main Upper Coondina Project area (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 below). The Company can report that drilling has successfully intersected the main target zone at Chola with first assays expected to be reported in Q1 2023.

MGA is also pleased to confirm the completion of a DGPR survey at Upper Coondina. DGPR is proven technique for identifying additional pegmatites and establishing a more detailed understanding of subsurface mineralisation.

Commenting on the completion of the maiden drilling programme at Upper Coondina, MetalsGrove’s Managing Director, Sean Sivasamy said:

“We are delighted to have completed our maiden RC drilling programme at the Chola Prospect on time and on budget before the end of the year. Chola is an exciting structure with soil sampling already confirming the strong lithium and tantalum potential in the region. Our first drilling programme was designed to confirm the width, tenure and mineralisation profile of the pegmatites, down from 60 to 120m plus depths, and we are confident these initial objectives have been achieved.

Our DGPR survey has also highlighted a host of new potential pegmatite structures nearby to the Chola Prospect which is highly encouraging.

MetalsGrove is well positioned to hit the ground running in early 2023 with a busy pipeline of activity planned across the portfolio. We look forward to providing further updates as initial assays from Upper Coondina come to hand early in the New Year.”

Figure 1 – Inaugural Drilling at Upper Coondina

Deep Ground Penetrating Radar (DGPR) survey

Ultramag Geophysics was engaged by the Company to undertake a DGPR survey to identify pegmatites and investigate subsurface potential for the known, mapped and sampled at Upper Coondina lithium project.

Excellent signal quality from depths of 30m to 100m was recorded and a total of 28.5 km of line-data at 50m to 150m spacing was completed.

The DGPR survey has identified 23 new potential pegmatite structures conjugate with existing known mineralised pegmatites within the Chola Prospect.

During the first phase drilling programme, MGA tested approximately 50% of the DGPR anomaly, and the untested anomaly will be drilled during the next phase of drilling programme.

DGPR is a geophysical technique similar to seismic that emits very short pulses of electromagnetic (EM) radiation into the ground via a transmitter, measuring the reflected energy in a receiver to produce profiles of subsurface resistivity.

Figure 2– Showing mapped pegmatites with DGPR interpreted pegmatites at the Chola Prospect.

The DGPR survey was planned to test the extensions at depth of existing surface-mapped, known lithium-rich pegmatites; and potential to identify additional blind pegmatites.

The new interpreted pegmatites, shown in green in Figure 2, appear to be much wider than the mapped and sampled pegmatites at Chola. They are also interpreted to start below the surface and extend slightly deeper; orientation is correlated with the known surface outcrop pegmatite.

Figure 3: Section Through A-A’ from Figure 1 DGPR Survey interpretation at Chola
Figure 4: Section Through B-B’ from Figure 1 DGPR Survey interpretation at Chola

Next Steps

  • RC Drill samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis.
  • Continue detailed field mapping in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to further enhance the geological modelling.
  • Continue DGPR survey in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to identify potential extensions of the undercover pegmatites.
  • Planning for follow-up programmes once assay results have been received and interpreted.
  • Commence planning for heritage surveys prior to drill programmes.
  • Planning underway for surface field mapping and sampling.
15 Nov 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

MetalsGrove kicks off maiden drilling at Upper Coondina lithium project in northwest WA

MetalsGrove Mining (ASX:MGA) has kicked off RC drilling at its WA-based Upper Coondina lithium play, chasing after known lithium pegmatite outcrops, after trace amounts of the battery metal was detected in soil samples earlier this month. 

KEY POINTS

  • RC rig present at Upper Coondina, heading straight for the Chola prospect as first point of call
  • An underground imaging survey will be conducted at the same time as MetalsGrove turns its focus to the lithium project
  • Company is yet to reveal what kind of pegmatite mineralisation is present; but investor sentiment remains strong

MetalsGrove Mining (ASX:MGA) has kicked off RC drilling at its WA-based Upper Coondina lithium play, chasing after known lithium pegmatite outcrops, after trace amounts of the battery metal was detected in soil samples earlier this month. 

Now moving ahead to drilling after only five months on the bourse, a Topdrill rig is currently being mobilised at Upper Coondina which will work its way to the Chola prospect. 

The RC drill run will see 3,000m of core equivalent collected; earth work contractors have been assigned to clear the way for the rig to move freely along the 4km of strike length it is targeting. This campaign reflects Phase I of drilling at Upper Coondina; which will focus on Chola. 

Simultaneous with maiden drilling, MetalsGrove will also move ahead to a deep-ground penetrating survey imaging campaign, which it says will be highly effective in detecting pegmatites at depth associated with outcrops. 

Ultimately, drilling is designed to confirm the width, depth, and mineralisation grades of pegmatite deposits at the project. 

Thanks to our stakeholders: MetalsGrove

“We are fortunate to have developed excellent working relationships with all stakeholders at Upper Coondina. These relationships have assisted our rapid progress with the project,” MetalsGrove MD Sean Sivasamy said. 

“We are pleased to be moving to drilling at Upper Coondina just five months after listing.” 

“We have already identified multiple pegmatite swarms prospective for lithium over a combined strike length of nearly 4km. This drilling will confirm width, depth, and mineralisation profiles of these pegmatites down to 60m to 100m depth.” 

Upper Coondina becoming the flagship

MetalsGrove’s focus through the second half of 2022 has been defined by its interest in the Upper Coondina lithium project. 

In late September, the company’s share price jumped by over 45% as MetalsGrove announced its detection of lithium pegmatite outcrops within the boundary envelope of the project. 

All in all, the exploration team has up to 8km of strike length to chase after, which forms into a corridor-like formation on-site the project. Half of that is mapped and known, and what the RC rig on-site today will sniff out first. 

The discovery of pegmatite outcrops is clearly the frontispiece of reasons investors are interested, backed up by lithium in soil samples. 

While makeup of the rock bodies remains to be announced, spodumene often occurs in pegmatite rock; the other most common form is lepidolite, somewhat harder to process downstream, but not impossible. Lepidolite is so common that one ASX company, Lepidico (ASX:LPD) named itself after it. 

From a nearology perspective, it’s easy to see why the company’s exploration team is hopeful: located relatively nearby is Global Lithium’s (ASX:GL1) Archer project, as well as acreage owned by Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS). 

Article Courtesy of Market Index

15 Nov 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

MetalsGrove Mining prepares to step-up hunt for lithium at Upper Coondina with drilling imminent

“We are pleased to be moving to the inaugural drilling program at Upper Coondina, just five months after our successful ASX listing,” MetalsGrove MD Sean Sivasamy said.

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) will soon kick off its initial reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the flagship Upper Coondina Lithium Project in Western Australia, now that a drill rig has arrived at the site.

Phase one will comprise a 3,000-metre drilling program to test priority targets at the Chola prospect after multiple pegmatite corridors were discovered through soil sampling, airborne survey and surface field mapping.

Earthwork contractors have been appointed and work to upgrade access roads, prepare tracks and drill pads has begun.

Drilling by experienced drill contractor Topdrill will begin as soon as site preparations are complete.

At the same time, the critical metals exploration and development company is preparing a new deep ground penetrating radar (DGPR) survey this week to detect pegmatites in known outcrops.

Rapid progress

MetalsGrove managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We are pleased to be moving to the inaugural drilling program at Upper Coondina, just five months after our successful ASX listing.

“Through soil sampling, surface field mapping and geophysics, we have already identified multiple pegmatite swarms that are prospective for lithium pegmatites over a combined strike length of nearly 4 kilometres.

“This drilling is aimed at confirming the width, depth and mineralisation profile of these pegmatites down to 60 to 100 metres-plus depth.

“We are fortunate to have developed excellent working relationships with all stakeholders at Upper Coondina. These relationships have undoubtedly assisted our rapid progress with the project.”

Drilling contractor Topdrill has mobilised its drill rig to the site.

Historical tin mine

Upper Coondina Project is about halfway between the major mining regional service centres of Port Hedland and Newman, some 200 kilometres northwest and 180 kilometres south-southeast of the project, respectively.

The project comprises a single granted exploration licence covering around 6,363 hectares.

The Greater Shaw Tin Field has attracted exploration interest since the discovery of tin in 1890 but most of the exploration and subsequent mining of tin and tantalum has been on a small scale.

Shaw Tin Field has historically produced more than 6,500 tonnes of tin concentrate but no dedicated lithium-focused exploration has been carried out within the project area.

MetalsGrove is keen to test a historical geochemical sampling with anomalous values up to 253 parts per million lithium oxide at the site to determine its source.

Article Courtesy of Proactive

15 Nov 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Inaugural Drilling Programme at Upper Coondinia Lithium Project

Critical metals exploration and development company MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA), (“MetalsGrove” “MGA” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that its drilling contractor, Topdrill, has mobilised its drill rig in preparation for the inaugural RC drilling program at the Upper Coondina Lithium Project, located 100 km south of Marble Bar.

Highlights

  • Experienced drilling contractor Topdrill, has mobilised its RC rig on-site to commence the inaugural drill program at the Upper Coondina Lithium Project
  • Phase one will comprise an initial 3,000m RC drilling program at the Chola prospect
  • Earth work contractors have been appointed and the preparation of access tracks and drill pads have commenced
  • Chola prospect RC drilling to commence as soon as site preparations are complete
  • New deep ground penetrating radar (DGPR) survey starting this week
  • DGPR proven to be highly effective for detecting pegmatites in previous known pegmatite outcrops

MGA formally engaged Topdrill as the drilling contractor following the completion of a heritage survey (with subsequent approval) together with a Programme of Works (PoW) relating to the planned drilling programme at Upper Coondina.
Prior to drilling, earth work contractor EMJC Earthmoving & Plant Hire has commenced earth works at the site to upgrade access roads, prepare tracks and drill pads.

Mobilisation of the Ultramag DGPR technology is underway in preparation for a DGPR survey that will commence this week. DGPR is a proven technique for identifying additional pegmatites and establishing a more detailed understanding of subsurface mineralisation.

MGA will initially drill test its priority lithium drilling targets at the Chola prospect in the south east of the main Upper Coondina project. Drilling will commence at Chola as soon as site preparations are complete.

Commenting on the encouraging soil sample assays from Upper Coondina, MetalsGrove’s Managing Director, Sean Sivasamy said:

“We are pleased to be moving to the inaugural drilling program at Upper Coondina, just five months after our successful ASX listing. Through soil sampling, surface field mapping and geophysics, we have already identified multiple pegmatite swarms that are prospective for lithium pegmatites over a combined strike length of nearly 4 km. This drilling is aimed at confirming the width, depth and mineralisation profile of these pegmatites down to 60 to 100m plus depth. We are fortunate to have developed excellent working relationships with all stakeholders at Upper Coondina. These relationships have undoubtedly assisted our rapid progress with the Project.”

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