23 Feb 2023

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

07 Nov 2022

MetalsGrove Mining fields high-grade lithium tantalum assays in soil samples at Upper Coondina in WA

“All necessary approvals have now been finalised and we are aiming to have the drill rig spinning in late November to test this suite of initial targets as we finish the calendar year with momentum,” said MD Sean Sivasamy.

MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) is encouraged by a recent pre-drilling exploration program that confirmed multiple pegmatite corridors and identified potential drilling targets at its flagship Upper Coondina Lithium Project in WA.

The fieldwork, consisting of soil sampling, airborne survey and surface field mapping, revealed a corridor containing multiple pegmatites coincident with the source area and with surface geochemistry.

Geochemistry defines targets

More than 2,500 soil samples were taken from the southern part of Upper Coondina’s Chola prospect. The geochemical responses and surface field mapping identified strong LCT-pegmatite anomalies.

Soil-sample assays returned 670 parts per million (ppm) lithium dioxide and 103 ppm tantalum.

Multiple outcropping pegmatite dykes occur in swarms with the pegmatite dyke-strike around 8 kilometres by 4 kilometres.

Initial observations suggest Upper Coondina has two generations of pegmatite – G1 and G2 – which host the lithium mineralisation found within the Pilbara lithium field.

MGA also believes Upper Coondina may be part of the same system that hosts the major lithium discovery announced by Global Lithium Ltd, in a similar geological setting to Pilbara Minerals north of MGA’s ground.

Expanding horizon of pegmatites

The company’s first priority drill target will be the Chola prospect – an “expanding horizon of pegmatites” along a corridor measuring roughly 4 kilometres by 2 kilometres – which it plans to start drilling in the fourth quarter of the year.

MetalsGrove managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We are delighted with the assay results from our pre-drilling soil sampling which has confirmed the high-grade lithium potential of Upper Coondina.

“Our technical team has also used this data to refine our priority drill targets starting with the Chola prospect, which is shaping up to be an exciting structure.

“All necessary approvals have now been finalised and we are aiming to have the drill rig spinning in late November to test this suite of initial targets as we finish the calendar year with momentum.”

Next steps

The company expects more soil sample assay results to flow in over the coming weeks.

These results will allow the company to define more drilling targets to test the outcropping pegmatites at depth, to confirm their orientation and the extent of any high-grade lithium mineralisation continuing below surface.

Earthworks for the upcoming maiden lithium drill program are scheduled to commence in mid-November 2022, with drilling to kick off in late November.

Article Courtesy of Proactive

07 Nov 2022

MetalsGrove hits lithium in soil samples at WA project ahead of November drill run

MetalsGrove Mining (ASX:MGA) has today boosted its own confidence, and that of its shareholders, in the company’s WA-based Upper Coondina lithium project; with new soil sample assay results confirming the presence of lithium. 

Key Points

  • Soil samples have been assayed from MetalsGrove’s Upper Coondina project in WA
  • Results show 0.06% lithium; 0.01% tantalum
  • Results might not be jaw dropping, but, lithium in soil confirms prospectivity of larger known pegmatite system

While grades logged in the soil samples are broken down into parts per million (concentrations are under 1%,) the confirmation of lithium and tantalum in surface samples confirms the prospectivity of the acreage. 

Around 2,500 samples were collected earlier this year and build on perceptions broad pegmatite mineralisation is present underground.

MetalsGrove fieldworkers earlier this year confirmed the presence of a pegmatite system present in the tenement which are slated for drilling before the year is through. 

Known pegmatites the real people pleaser 

The initial priority target of upcoming drilling will be the Chola prospect, a pegmatite corridor around 4km x 2km in size. Chola is located in the southeastern corner of the project tenement, E45/5952. 

MetalsGrove its hopeful it can replicate the discoveries of Global Lithium (ASX:GL1) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) in its own upcoming drill run, given that both competitors have acreage nearby. 

MetalsGrove considers its acreage as overlying “the Pilbara lithium field.” Its exploration team predict there are “two generations of pegmatite” to be exploited. 

Drilling set to kick off before December 

“All necessary approvals have now been finalised and we are aiming to have the drill rig spinning in late November to test this suite of initial targets as we finish the calendar year with momentum,” MetalsGrove MD Sean Sivasamy said. 

“We are delighted with the assay results from our pre-drilling soil sampling which has confirmed the high-grade lithium potential of Upper Coondina.”

“Our technical team has also used this data to refine our priority drill targets starting with the Chola Prospect which is shaping up to be an exciting structure.”

Article Courtesy of Market Index

07 Nov 2022

High Grade Lithium Tantalum Soil Samples Returned at Upper Coondinia-WA

Highlights:

  • First pass soil sampling assay results confirm strong lithium and tantalum potential at flagship Upper Coondina in WA
  • High-grade soil samples including 670 ppm lithium and 103 ppm tantalum
  • Field mapping has previously confirmed a pegmatite corridor with strong lithium anomalism
  • Pre-drilling exploration programme has confirmed multiple high quality drilling targets for drill testing in Q4 2022
  • Initial priority drill target will be the Chola Prospect – a pegmatite corridor measuring approx. 4.0 km x 2.0 km
  • Upper Coondina has the potential to be part of the same system that hosts the major lithium discovery announced by Global Lithium (ASX: GL1) and similar geological setting as Pilbara minerals (ASX: PLS)
  • Heritage survey report and POW approval received

Critical metals exploration and development company MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX: MGA), (“MetalsGrove” “MGA” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce that a recently completed pre-drilling exploration programme has confirmed multiple pegmatite corridor and identified potential drilling targets at the Company’s Upper Coondina Lithium Project in Western Australia.

The recently completed programme comprised soil sampling, airborne survey and surface field mapping which revealed a corridor containing multiple pegmatites which are coincident with the source area and with surface geochemistry.

Encouraging soil sampling assays including Li2O 670 ppm and Ta 103 ppm have been returned. Multiple outcropping pegmatite dykes occurring in swarms, with pegmatite dykes strike approximately 8.0 km x 4.0 km.

Initial observations suggest Upper Coondina has two generations of pegmatite – G1 and G2, which host the lithium mineralisation found within the Pilbara lithium field.

MGA also believes Upper Coondina may be part of the same system that hosts the major lithium discovery announced by Global Lithium (ASX: GL1) and similar geological setting as Pilbara minerals (ASX: PLS) north of MGA’s ground.

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

“We are delighted with the assay results from our pre-drilling soil sampling which has confirmed the high-grade lithium potential of Upper Coondina. Our technical team has also used this data to refine our priority drill targets starting with the Chola Prospect which is shaping up to be an exciting structure.

All necessary approvals have now been finalised and we are aiming to have the drill rig spinning in late November to test this suite of initial targets as we finish the calendar year with momentum.”

Geochemistry confirms drill targets at Upper Coondina

Over 2,500 soil samples were taken from the southern part of the Upper Coondina Chola Prospect. The geochemical responses and surface field mapping identified strong LCT-pegmatite anomalies, which is in an 8km by 4km multiple pegmatite corridor.

First pass soil sampling assay results confirm lithium mineralisation and defining the drilling target within the Chola Prospect pegmatite corridor measuring approximately 4.0 km x 2.0 km.

Chola Prospect – expanding horizon of lithium-bearing pegmatites

Figure 1 shows the location of the Chola Prospect pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite structural corridor at the Upper Coondina Lithium Prospect that were confirmed by soil sampling assays hosting lithium mineralisation and expanding up north and west.

Figure 1 – Showing pegmatites with lithium assay results against pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite structural corridor-Chola Prospect.
Figure 2 – Showing soil sampling lithium assay results against pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite corridor – Chola Prospect.
Figure 3 – Showing soil sampling assay with tantalum assay results against pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite corridor – Chola Prospect.
Figure 4 – Showing soil sampling lithium assay results against radiometric-potassium analysis, pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite corridor – Chola Prospect.
Figure 5 – Showing soil sampling tantalum assay results against radiometric-potassium analysis, pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite corridor – Chola Prospect.
Figure 6 – Showing lithium assay heat map and tantalum assays results against pegmatite outcrop and pegmatite corridor – Chola Prospect.

Next steps

Pending soil samples assay results are expected to be received over the coming weeks. These results will allow the Company to define more drilling targets to test the outcropping pegmatites at depth, to confirm their orientation and the extent of any high-grade lithium mineralisation continuing below surface.

Earthworks for the upcoming maiden lithium drill programme are scheduled to commence in mid-November 2022. The start of drilling is scheduled for late November.

Upper Coondina Project Background

The Upper Coondina Project is located approximately halfway between the major mining regional service centres of Port Hedland and Newman – approximately 200 km northwest and 180 km south-southeast of the project, respectively.

The Project comprises a single granted Exploration Licence. The tenement covers an area of approximately 6,363 ha and the maximum distance across the project is about 11 km east–west and 8 km north–south. Nearby lithium mines include Wodgina (MinRes ASX: MIN), Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) and recent lithium developer Global Lithium (ASX: GL1).

Historical Exploration Summary

The Greater Shaw Tin Field has attracted exploration interest since the discovery of tin in 1890. However, most of the exploration and subsequent mining of tin and tantalum has been on the small scale. The Shaw Tin Field, has historically produced more than 6,500 t of tin concentrate.

In 1968, Marble Bar Nickel carried out a rock chip sampling programme covering tenement E45/3699 of the current Hillside CRG (A1714). A 1972 stream sediment sampling programme by Anglo American Services Limited targeting Ni-Cu mineralisation identified a copper anomaly in ultramafic and pillow basalts and another in altered gabbro. Both were subsequently found to be insignificant.

In early 1968, the field was largely abandoned after the shallow deposits were soon exhausted. Towards the end of 1968, a local resident discovered further cassiterite mineralisation in cemented alluvium within a largely concealed tertiary drainage channel. In 1983, CSR Limited explored for economic secondary concentrations of tin and tantalum in the area. Their exploration program included follow-up on radiometric anomalies, stream sediment sampling and geological mapping. No discrete localities of anomalous tin could be identified. CSR Limited identified simple pegmatite veins as the sources of the tin.

No dedicated Li-focused exploration has been carried out within the project area. However, given historical surface geochemical sampling has returned anomalous values up to 253 ppm LiO2, MetalsGrove considers that this untested magnetic anomaly warrants follow-up exploration to determine its source.

The exploration results that are referred to above were included in MetalsGrove’s IPO prospectus dated 13 May 2022 (Prospectus). MetalsGrove is not aware of any new information in respect of these results, and confirms that full details with respect to these results are included in the Prospectus.

About MetalsGrove

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 de-carbonised world.

Competent Person Statement – Exploration Strategy

The information in this announcement that relates to exploration strategy has been developed by Sean Sivasamy. All assay results have been complied by Mr Sivasamy who is a member of Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Sivasamy is Managing Director and CEO of MetalsGrove Mining Limited.

Mr Sivasamy has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and exploration processes as reported herein to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’.

Mr Sivasamy consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the information contained herein, in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward looking statements

This announcement may contain certain “forward looking statements” which may not have been based solely on historical facts, but rather may be based on the Company’s current expectations about future events and results. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.

However, forward looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to exploration risk, mineral resource risk, metal price volatility, currency fluctuations, increased production costs and variances in ore grade or recovery rates from those assumed in mining plans, as well as political and operational risks in the countries and states in which we sell our product to, and government regulation and judicial outcomes.

For more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors, see the Company’s Prospectus, as well as the Company’s other filings. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any “forward looking statement” to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

13 Jun 2022

Creating A Positive Difference Through Metals & Mining

As the world shifts its focus on utilizing eco-friendly materials and sources of energy, MetalsGrove focuses on green metal exploration and development to meet the growing demand from the battery storage and renewable energy markets in the transition to a decarbonized world. There is an ever-increasing demand for environmentally and commercially sustainable development and a supply of materials that feed into these industries that subsequently flow onto all facets of our society both at a domestic and industry level.

MetalsGrove has a strong portfolio in lithium, tin, tantalum, manganese, copper, gold, zinc, lead, gold-copper, green metals, and base metal exploration projects that have the potential to augment the global demand for metals required to achieve a low emission future. The projects are all based in the Tier One jurisdiction of Australia and located in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Led by a proven board, management and advisory team driven by ESG principles, the launch of MetalsGrove coincides with an exciting shift in the demand profile for lithium, manganese, rare earth elements (REE) and copper.

These products aim to be sustainable as we operate with transparency and accountability and reduce the environmental impact caused by daily social, economic, environmental, and cultural activities in Australia and worldwide.

07 Jun 2022

OnMarket IPO | MetalsGrove Mining Ltd | ASX:MGA

MetalsGrove was established late last year. We’ve got together a package of really exciting tenements around green metal exploration and development and trying to meet the current market demand for the battery storage and renewable energy market. So you know amongst our suite principally we’re driving towards lithium, which is obviously very hot in the market at this point in time on one of our West Australian assets.
 
We’ve also got a rare earth find over in Northern Territory which is our secondary priority to chase that hard. Then behind that in the NT we’ve got copper gold and some base metals there through those deposits and then we’ve got manganese back over in WA – so it’s very exciting stuff. 

MetalsGrove we’re looking to raise $7 million Australian in this float now and we’re getting towards the back end of that float, and it’s exciting – we’re just trying to top it up now and meet that maximum target. 

Our lithium is in tier one lithium country up in the Pilbara – right next door to Pilbara Minerals and and all those other big players in there. So lots of options there to build on the package we’ve got and bring great value to our shareholders going forward. Similarly with the rare earths, we’re in a unique place in the Northern Territory up just near Alice Springs there – really in an elephant country as we say – really untested but all that early work is suggesting some fantastic opportunities – very prospective ground for that – so well and truly proven. On the manganese front, right up there in the whole Woody Woody district there, which is well renowned around the world for quality manganese delivery into the marketplace. So I’m pretty excited. 

I’m really busting to get out there our team and get on the ground and bring home some real results and get some outcomes.

The lithium project which is in Pilbara Western Australia. It’s been historically mined as a tin mine and we are now focusing on it as a tin mine and lithium mine.

Also this lithium project is well connected to world-class infrastructure – there’s tier one mining companies in very close proximity to this project area – Pilbara Minerals, Mineral Resources and recent developer Global Lithium. 

The rare earth project which is in Northern Territory, close to Alice Springs, it’s about 80km from Alice Springs. It historically has been mined explored for heavy minerals and copper gold – now we are focusing on rare earths with the recent discoveries around the project area and there is some sample it’s leading to the rare earth exploration. It’s a high potential project. 

Then the manganese project which is back in Western Australia. It’s in the Pilbara as well. It’s very close to the existing historical mine – our Woody Woody mine – it’s very close to that mine as well. 

The our beauty of our projects, all our projects have historical workings which produced significant amount of mineral resources.

Then we got another exciting project, a copper gold project, Edwards Creek – it’s in the Northern Territory. And again it is close to Alice Springs.  It’s well connected to infrastructure, and it’s off the Plenty Highway. The access to this project is not an issue so you can it can access it all seasons.

Then it’s been drilled and explored for copper and gold 50 years ago. There is about 4 meters of 2.5% copper, and 18 meters of minimization.  A very exciting project.

We have another exciting project – it is in big elephant country – a base metal project – a base metal rare earths project work –  Box Hole. Box Hole has been explored by BHP in the past and other big companies. They have drilled over the twelve thousand meters in the project area. We got significant grades and a number of outcrops.

I have about 35 years experience in the resource game. I have worked all through Australia, Africa and South America and North America. In relation to this particular company, I’ve had the luxury of working in the whole lithium sphere with Sons of Gwalia.

The startup of my lithium exposure – I’ve worked with Consolidated Minerals with the manganese exposure. Copper I’ve worked for a number of companies over the years involving copper and similarly gold which is part of our suite. But also importantly I’ve worked at the high end as much as at the operational levels. I was the MD for Peak Resources – again rare earths – and the CEO for Sandfire Resources doing the DeGrussa and the broader business development with Sandfire, so early days when we were looking at the Botswana deposit – so all very exciting stuff that brings great experience to this board and this particular company MetalsGrove.

 In terms of Sean our MD,  Sean is a geologist and a mining engineer. He’s got some great credentials in a number of finds in the past – particularly around lithium. You’ll see looking up on the social media side of things, they’ll see his experience there up there in the Pilbara, having been there in the early days and having a team there himself and developing some of those well-known deposits – like the Pilgangoora Minerals group there. He was part of that early founding group. So from a geological point of view he’s absolutely all over the subject matter that we’re addressing – so I’m really keen working with Sean on this project going forward.

 Our third board member Haidong Chi brings another perspective to the board and into the business. HD as we  know him as –  he’s an entrepreneur and a businessman – and he’s got great interests in iron ore here in Western Australia in the midwest and up in the Kimberley. So he’s been involved in the mining sector for quite some time. He is also is a large shareholder in the company, so supporting us through that initially and ongoing as well.

The majority of funds will be used for exploration activities especially two key projects –  the lithium project in Western Australia and the rare rare earth project in Northern Territory. We will be spending more than fifty percent of our funds in these two projects – to add value to the projects and shareholder value.

Currently we are doing desktop reviews and interpretation with technical experts. And also we are planning for a site sampling program and we are collecting all the historical geophysics and completing the interpretation of interfaces. Upon completion of these two, then we will start drilling the lithium project and rare earth project in the calendar year 2022 4th quarter.

There’s many facets to this – it’s the challenge of getting a company up and running hard. But really it’s also the metal sector that we’re involved in – lithium, rare earths, manganese, copper – these are all green metals in the renewable battery space and for me that’s really exciting because this is about where the industry is changing and evolving.

It’s almost parallel what’s going on the ESG component alongside – so they go “hand and fist”.  But really from a business point of view it’s also managing the downstream markets – because that’s evolving so quickly. So players have to be on their toes and running harder – understanding and strategizing and being ahead of the market to meet it and get the opportunities. 

So i think with the team we have got here, our ability to do that and the networks around the world is just first class and i think we can really do some great things with this company going forward – and for that I’m excited.  That’s what gets me up out of bed – I’m running hard every day.