26 Jun 2023
MiningRRMS

MetalsGrove Mining has RC drill spinning in maiden Box Hole and Edwards Creek program in NT

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) has set the reverse circulation (RC) drill spinning in maiden drilling testing the Box Hole zinc-lead and Edwards Creek copper-gold prospects within the Arunta Project in the Northern Territory.

The critical metals exploration and development company says the 2,400-metre program will test several high-priority targets including stratabound mineralisation.

These targets have been generated by Intrepid Geophysics, which has processed and overlaid significant historical geochemistry, electromagnetic and radiometric data sets.

Next phase begins

Managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We are very pleased to have this next phase of drilling underway within our Arunta Project.

“Given the recent completion of RC drilling at our highly prospective Bruce REE Prospect, we have utilised the availability of the drill rig to carry out this next phase of work at Edwards Creek and Box Hole.”

The maiden drilling program at Box Hole and Edwards Creek is expected to take around three weeks to complete with first assays to be reported within 4-6 weeks thereafter.

Box Hole follow-up

Historical drilling at Box Hole returned a best intersection of 13 metres at 2.7% zinc and 0.7% lead from 17 metres including 5 metres at 2.3% zinc and 1.4% lead, and 5 metres at 4.3% zinc and 0.2% lead from 25 metres. The latter included 1-metre at 14.7% zinc and 0.3% lead from 25 metres.

The Box Hole zinc-lead, REE prospect comprises a single granted mineral exploration licence covering about 12,765 hectares and is about 340 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs.

At the prospect’s Kings Working deposit, 15 tonnes of galena was historically mined with an average grade of 66% lead, 58.50 g/t silver and 0.43% bismuth.

The known outcrop at Box Hole has a strike extent of 7 kilometres with mineralisation open in all directions.

This previous work and MetalsGrove’s reconnaissance have led to a conceptual exploration target of between 50 and 80 million tonnes at a grade ranging between 3.0% to 4.0% zinc-lead and at a shallow depth.

Edwards Creek program

Previous work at Edwards Creek, which covers around 380 square kilometres about 75 kilometres NNE of Alice Springs in the highly prospective Arunta region, has also provided encouragement for MetalsGrove heading into the RC campaign.

Historical drilling returned high-grade mineralisation including 4.5 metres at 2.25% copper, 0.11% lead, 1.54% zinc and 0.14 g/t gold from 47 metres and 18.6 metres at 0.22% copper, 0.17% lead, 0.49% zinc and 0.14 g/t gold from 44.3 metres.

Territory Exploration Pty Ltd acquired new EM data over Edwards Creek in 2017 and identified a strong EM conductor that was interpreted to be caused by sulphide mineralisation at depth.

Two RC holes were drilled to test the conductor intersecting relatively weak zones of copper mineralisation with a maximum value of 0.81% copper.

Systematic exploration

“Our Arunta Project is a highly prospective asset located in a prime exploration jurisdiction and we are committed to unlocking its value through continued systematic exploration over the coming months,” Sivasmy continued

“Box Hole and Edwards Creek are excellent prospects, with significant discovery potential as demonstrated by historical exploration data and recent reconnaissance work completed by MGA.”

Article courtesy of Proactive

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
03 Oct 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Pre-Drilling Surface Field Mapping at Bruce Rare Earth Prospect

Highlights

  • Pre-drilling detailed surface mapping is underway at the Bruce Rare Earth Prospect
  • ~6,000-line kilometre airborne magnetic and radiometric survey completed with data interpretation currently underway
  • Broad conductor confirmed along strike from the Plenty River mine which is adjacent to magnetic features interpreted to be components of the pegmatite intrusion
  • Mine Management Plan (MMP) approved for Box Hole and Edwards Creek Prospects – MMP is in progress for Bruce Prospect
  • Heritage survey approval is in progress for Arunta projects
  • Drilling is planned for Q4 2022 following completion of the heritage survey and surface field mapping works

Critical metals exploration and development company MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA), (“MetalsGrove” “MGA” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that a pre-drilling detailed surface mapping program is underway at the Company’s Bruce Rare Earth Prospect in the Northern Territory.

As previously reported (see ASX release dated 20 July 2022), MetalsGrove has identified a broad conductor 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.

Surface field mapping and sampling is underway to identify and refine additional drill targets for testing during the planned drilling program scheduled to commence after completion of the current surface field mapping. This drilling program will be designed to test the bedrock conductor and historical pegmatite mines in Q4.

Commenting on the surface mapping at Bruce, MetalsGrove’s Managing Director, Sean Sivasamy said:

“Following the completion of the successful field mapping program in WA at our Upper Coondina Lithium Project, we are pleased to have our technical team completing the same exercise on the ground at Bruce. This program will play an important role in confirming the priority drill targets for our maiden drilling program at Bruce scheduled for later this year.

The Arunta Project hosts a suite of exciting critical metals prospects, and our team is systematically working through each prospect to prioritise the most compelling targets for initial drill testing. I look forward to providing further updates on our progress.”

Bruce Rare Earth Prospect Summary

The Bruce Rare Earth prospect is located within the Central Desert Region of the Northern Territory and covers an area of approximately 17,722 ha.

Significant rare earth occurrences have been found in the Harts Range and Plenty River mica fields within the Irindina Province. Joklik (1955), and Daly and Dyson (1956), provided details of the mica mines and documented numerous minerals associated with the host pegmatites. MetalsGrove is currently exploring pegmatite, breccia, vein and alteration-hosted rare earth mineralisation at Bruce.

Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) completed the geological study in the Arunta and identified numerous pegmatites hosting rare earth occurrences including the Plenty River mica mine area. Figure-1 shows NTGS survey mapping and location of mineral occurrences (Geological Survey Record 2003-004, Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralisation in the eastern Arunta Region – KJ Hussey).

Figure 1: Bruce tenement location plan with NTGS Rare Earth Element Occurrences Mapping at the Arunta Region (2003-04)
Figure 2: Bruce tenement location and AEM stacked profiles over 2VD TMI Aeromagnetics and Survey location Plan

The nearest historical mine is the inactive Harts Range garnet mine (approximately 80 km to the west-southwest), while the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project (Thor Mining PLC) is approximately 10 km and copper-silver project (KGL Resources) 75 km to the northeast.

northern territory mining map
19 Sep 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Metalsgrove Mining Ltd (MGA) – Company Deep Dive

MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA) is an Australian-based exploration and development company, focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of high-quality lithium, rare earth, copper-gold, manganese and base metal projects in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. MGA is committed to green metal exploration and development to meet the growing demand from the battery storage and renewable energy markets in the transition to a decarbonised world.

Highlights

Portfolio of quality assets located in Western Australia and Northern Territory

Led by proven board, management and advisory team driven by ESG fundamentals

MetalsGrove has acquired 100% of the shares of Territory Lithium Pty Ltd

Working on green metals project linked to growing demand for battery and renewable energy

All projects have close proximity to ports and world-class mining infrastructure

Board and Management

Richard Beazley

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Founder and Director of both Altair Mining Consultancy and Hydrogen Energy Pty Ltd and the Interim CEO and Managing Director for Troy Resources (ASX-TRY). Mr Beazley is an experienced mining engineer with 35 years of experience with a strong corporate, operational and technical background in the resources industry. Throughout his career he has worked on projects throughout Australia, Africa and South America.

Sean Sivasamy

MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CEO

Mr Sivasamy is a mining professional with more than 25 years of global experience. He has held Senior Management roles within large, medium and junior Mining companies in Australia, Africa, India and South East Asia. He is the Founder, Director and CEO of MetalsGrove Mining Limited.

Haidong Chi

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mr Chi is one of the very early Co-founders of Kimberley Metals Group and KMG Mining Pty Ltd. Mr Chi has been the Managing Director of the company’s business operations, liaising with key relevant stakeholders, driving strategic company growth, and responsible for the overall performance of the business for more than 10 years.

ms rebecca broughton

Rebecca Broughton

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Ms Rebecca Broughton is a Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years experience in both public practice and commerce, with significant focus in the resources sector.

Projects

upper coondina mining map

Lithium and Tin

Upper Coondina

  • Location: located 85km south-west of Marble Bar in the East Pilbara district.
  • Size: Approximately 6,365 ha (E45/5952).
  • Interest: 100%.
  • CSR identified simple pegmatite veins as the sources of the tin.
  • Potential to establish economic long-term producing assets.
  • High quality lithium, tin and tantalum project in highly prospective regions in Western Australia (Pilbara lithium mineral field).
  • Well connected to mining infrastructure.

Rare Earth, Gold, Copper and Base Metals

Artuna Projects- Box Hole, Bruce and Edward Creek

  • Projects: Box Hole, Bruce, and Edward Creek Projects are located in Northern Territory.
  • Location: 110km north of Alice Springs.
  • Size: Approximately 320km 2 (EL32420, EL31225 and EL32419).
  • Interest: 100%.
  • Access: Via Stuart and Plenty Highways.
  • Drill ready walk-up drilling targets.
  • Well connected to existing mining infrastructure
  • Historical presence of Cu-Au, base metal and historical pegmatite workings have been demonstrated in the area

Managanese

Woodie Woodie North-Manganese

  • Location: Situated in the East Pilbara region of Western Australia approximately 400km south of Port Hedland and 95km east of Marble Bar.
  • Size: Approximately 14,400 ha (E45/5945).
  • Interest: 100%.
  • Access: All-weather Ripon Hills Road that ensures continued site access.
  • Manganese is a critical ingredient in steel production and Electric Vehicle (EV) engineering.
  • Drill ready walk-up drilling targets.
  • Surface sampling has returned a number of highly anomalous manganese and cobalt assays (up to 52% Mn and 540ppm Co).

Milestones

Historical Milestones

MGA has acquired 100% of Territory Lithium Ltd.

Agreement with Oremin Consultants Pty Ltd. to acquire WA Projects

Heritage Agreements executed with Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation NTBC (Woodie Woodie)

Duplicate agreement executed with Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (Upper Coondina)

Future Milestones

News & Media

Resources

Prospectus

ASX Announcements

Shareholder Services

Reports

Presentations

Alerts

Company Deep Dive Courtesy of Market Index

road
22 Aug 2022
Miningneil.malcolm@retailreturn.com.au

Airborne surveys underway at MetalsGrove’s NT Arunta project; maiden drilling in Q4

KEY POINTS

  • Airborne magnetic, radiometric survey to kick off at company’s only NT asset
  • 6,000 line program to provide data on the Bruce, Box Hole and Edwards Creek prospects
  • Bruce Prospect of foremost interest; prospective for lithium, rare earths, and gold

Not long after MetalsGrove (ASX:MGA) identified a massive electromagnetic target underground at its Arunta Project, the company is now chartering helicopters to run a 6,000m airborne magnetic survey overheard. 

The main target is the Bruce Prospect, which is up first on the company’s radar for drilling upon the conclusion of the surveys commenced today. 

The Bruce Prospect is believed to contain commercial quantities of lithium, rare earths, and gold. It is located in the Central Desert Region and covers over 17,000 hectares. The nearest historical mine is the Harts Range garnet mine some 80km southwest.

Q4 Maiden drilling on the horizon

The company notes aggressive drilling at a target identified last month underneath the Bruce prospect area of interest will commence upon conclusion of the airborne survey. 

That magnetic target is believed to be related to lithium pegmatites. 

The breakdown of coverage over each of the targets makes clear where MetalsGrove’s priority lies. 

Three targets at the Arunta Project will be subject to this round of airborne surveys:

  • Bruce Prospect (3,954 line-kilometres) 
  • Box Hole Prospect (1,147 line-kilometres) 
  • Edwards Creek Prospect (872 line-kilometres) 

Drilling will take place in the fourth quarter of 2022. 

“Targeted yet aggressive:” Management 

“This survey programme will play an important role towards refining our priority drill targets for our maiden drilling programme,” MetalsGrove MD Sean Sivasamy said.

“Our team has already completed significant work highlighting strong potential at Bruce.” 

MetalsGrove is having a busy month so far, with the company flying an airborne survey over its WA Woodie Woodie acreage at the start of August. That project is prospective for manganese, another battery metal alongside lithium. 

Isn’t MetalsGrove a lithium explorer? 

Yes, it is. But the same reasons driving enthusiasm for copper, nickel, and silver, are also playing out in manganese exploration markets. 

Last year, Livewire Markets went so far as to describe manganese as the ‘next hot battery metal.’ 

Manganese is also a valuable alloy for steelmakers. While pricing for the metal is somewhat opaque, Chinese metal market information provider SMM notes prices at many benchmarks sit above US$2,000 a tonne. 

This reflects a tenfold increase for prices since 2014, when a commodities glut caused many operations to be mothballed. 

And lithium prices, of course, remain some 350% higher than this time last year. 

Existing survey data interpreted into a visual image from existing magnetic information at Arunta. The red like that extends beneath the historical Plenty River mine is what MGA has its eye on; the target is believed to be lithium pegmatite.

Existing survey data interpreted into a visual image from existing magnetic information at Arunta. The red like that extends beneath the historical Plenty River mine is what MGA has its eye on; the target is believed to be lithium pegmatite.

Article Courtesy of Market Index