Australian Critical Minerals (ASX:ACM) is eyeing potential follow-up work programs to be conducted across its Shaw, Cooletha, Rankin Dome, and Beverley projects in Western Australia.
During the June quarter of this year, mapping and sampling focusing on iron ore prospectivity was undertaken at the Shaw and Cooletha projects.
At Cooletha, a 42km strike length of combined channel iron deposits (CID) was identified. As a result, the company may conduct grid sampling on the CID outcrops and scree slopes.
Meanwhile, a more than 9km strike length of banded iron formations (BIF) were confirmed at Shaw. The company plans to conduct systematic sampling of the extensive BIF horizons.
Field investigations of the radiometric anomaly at Shaw will also be undertaken, alongside initial sampling and possibly ground geophysics.
At the Rankin Dome Rare Earth Project, seven head samples were taken which returned grades ranging from 1,148 parts per million (ppm) to 1,674ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO).
Future work will focus on further investigating the rare earth mineralogy, variations in the weathering profile, and the potential for beneficiation and concentration methods.
The company is aiming to improve rare earth recoveries before applying more aggressive leach conditions.
At the Beverley Project, the company aimed to evaluate rare earths enrichment in the slightly weathered zone beneath the kaolin-rich surface layer and down to the mildly weathered bedrock.
Australian Critical Minerals examined 92 samples from 13 aircore holes, with the best result being 1m @ 2,119pm TREO.
The company says results from the historic aircore samples offer insight that can potentially boost the rationale for investigating sub-kaolin layers for rare earth oxide occurrences.
Australian Critical Minerals also conducted a strategic review of its kaolin assets. Due to weakened investor sentiment for kaolin, the company recognises diminishing support for the exploration and development of the Kojonup, Kondinin, and Beverley projects.
The company plans to reduce its focus on kaolin and increase its emphasis on battery and critical minerals, including iron ore.
As of 30 June 2024, the company had 2.598 million in cash and cash equivalents at hand, according to its latest quarterly report.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Australian Critical Minerals
