Canyon Resources Limited (ASX: CAY) has announced high-grade results from an initial exploration drilling program conducted at its flagship Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon, Africa.
The company said that very high-grade – low contaminant results were received from the first exploration conducted at the Sophia Plateau on the Makan Licence.
CAY reported that drill hole results have significant intersections greater than 50% Al2O3 and low total SiO2.
Highlights include 12m at 50.1% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; 8m at 51.3% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; 11m at 50.9% Al2O3 and 0.9% SiO2; and 5m at 53.7% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2, all from surface.
Canyon reported that the results confirm the extension of high-grade bauxite to the most southern areas of the Project, as well as indicate the potential for further high-grade areas in the region.
Minim Martap project
The Minim Martap project is located in the Adamawa region of Cameroon, alongside Canyon’s Birsok Bauxite Project and nearby to an existing operating rail line.
The project encompasses two main deposits, Ngouandal, and Minim Martap, located within 25km of each other. The exploration permits cover a total of 1,349 km2 and include a resource estimate of 550MT at an average grade of 45.5% Al2O3 and 2.06% SiO2.
Initial drill program completed
The company reported that it has completed an initial 27-hole exploration drilling program in July 2019 on the Sophia Plateau on the Makan Licence, at the Minim Martap Bauxite Project.
It may be noted that the Sophia Plateau is within the Makan permit, which hosts the second largest bauxite plateau at the Project and presents a priority target for future drilling.
The company said that very high-grade – low contaminant results were received from the aircore drilling at the Sophia Plateau.
Multiple high-grade results reported
The company reported that multiple intersections of over 50% Al2O3 with low silicon dioxide were identified in 23 of the initial 27-hole program.
Significant results include 12m at 50.1% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; 7m at 50.1% Al2O3 and 1.9% SiO2; 7m at 50.4% Al2O3 and 1.0% SiO2; 7m at 51.0% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; 8m at 51.3% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; 11m at 50.9% Al2O3 and 0.9% SiO2; 8m at 51.2% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2; and 5m at 53.7% Al2O3 and 1.1% SiO2, all from surface.
Canyon also reported that some holes from the recently completed drilling were terminated within high-grade mineralisation due to wet drilling conditions preventing further penetration using the air-core rig.
High-grade bauxite resource potential
The company reported that the results delineate high-grade, low contaminant bauxite from surface in a new exploration area.
Canyon said that the initial success of drilling in Makan outlines the potential for further high-grade bauxite plateaux in addition to those already identified within the Project area.
It may be noted that none of the plateaux within the Makan tenement were drilled or included in bauxite resource estimates previously.
PFS in progress
The company said that it is progressing a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Minim Martap Bauxite Project.
CAY announced that targeted resource drilling will be completed to support delivery of the PFS throughout the next 12 months.
What’s next?
CAY said that a significant drilling program aimed at expanding and improving the confidence of the previously identified resource is planned for the 14 bauxite plateau identified on the Minim Martap and Ngaoundal permits.
The company said that the spatial analysis of the recently interpreted LiDAR survey data has also identified numerous exploration target plateaux on the Minim Martap, Makan and Ngaoundal permits.
Management comments
Canyon’s Chief Geologist Alexander Shaw said: “The drilling results from the previously untested Makan licence are very pleasing and confirm Canyon’s regional geological model for extensive and new high-grade bauxite resource potential.
These results further confirm the global Tier 1 status of the Project.”
