Aruma Resources (ASX:AAJ) is planning a heli-mapping and grid surface sampling program this month to confirm initial drill targets at its Saltwater Project in Western Australia.
This phase of exploration will include systematic gridding over defined anomalies, alongside further mapping and sampling of geophysical and structural targets and specific geophysics over target zones.
Aruma, which has a market capitalisation of $6.3 million, says this targeted exploration approach aims to unlock the full multi-commodity potential of the Saltwater Project.
This news comes after the company received results from the latest phase of an ongoing sampling program, which has reaffirmed the multi-commodity mineralised system potential.
Surface sampling has revealed outcropping ‘high-grade’ polymetallic samples, including AR14069 with 40% manganese (Mn), 5.4% barium (Ba), 0.36% cobalt (Co), 0.25% copper (Cu), and 3.53g/t silver (Ag).
Aruma reports sandstone-hosted vanadium (V) and uranium (U) surface anomalies were also detected, with AR13010 containing up to 0.16% V and AR13051 containing up to 39 parts per million (ppm) U.
The programs have also confirmed the existence of ‘large-scale’ volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) systems, with elements including iron (Fe), barium, copper, lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and arsenic (As).
These results include AR14009 containing 57% Fe, 0.42% As, and 0.27% Zn; and AR14010 containing 42% Fe, 0.12% As, and 0.26% Zn.
Both programs have exceeded the company’s projections and reinforce Saltwater’s status as a potentially ‘significant’, district-scale, resource-abundant project, according to Aruma.
Aruma Resources Managing Director Glenn Grayson says these results are ‘highly encouraging’ and confirm the company’s technical team’s ability to consistently pull out ‘positive’ results from the fieldwork.
“Based on results to date, we are confident in our view that we have identified a high-value target for battery-grade manganese-cobalt, multiple VMS targets, as well as a promising uranium prospect.”
“we are confident in our view that we have identified a high-value target for battery-grade manganese-cobalt, multiple VMS targets, as well as a promising uranium prospect”
The Saltwater Project lies in the Pilbara region of Western Australia and covers a 450km-square area.
Aruma Resources is a diversified minerals explorer focused on discovering and developing projects prospective for gold and lithium. The company’s core assets include the Mt Deans Lithium, Salmon Gums Gold, and Saltwater projects.
As of 30 June 2023, Aruma had $3.23 million cash at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Aruma Resources
