Castle Minerals (ASX:CDT) reports that it has received ‘encouraging’ results following a reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its flagship Kambale Graphite Project in Ghana.
The results, generated by the first 23 drillholes of a total 52 hole RC drilling campaign, have returned multiple thick, ‘high-grade’ intercepts relatively close to surface, with some falling outside of the existing resource envelope.
The current drilling program commenced with a goal of expanding the footprint of the deposit to generate a better understanding of the areas situated outside of the current inferred resource of 14.5Mt @ 7.2% graphitic carbon for 1.04Mt contained graphite.
Key intercepts include:
- Hole 22CKRC001: 15m @ 11.0% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) from 51m
- Hole 22CKRC006: 29m @ 11.8% TGC from 47m, incl. 5m @ 15.4% TGC from 56m, and; 1m @ 21.2% TGC from 56m
- Hole 22CKRC010: 11m @ 8.4% TGC from 28m, and; 7m @ 12.5% TGC from 43m, incl. 3m @ 18.0% TGC from 43m, and; 23m @ 6.8% TGC from 79m
- Hole 22CKRC012: 30m @ 10.7% TGC from 30m, incl. 4m @ 14.7% TGC from 55m
- Hole 22CKRC021: 14m @ 11.5% TGC from 43m, incl. 2m @ 19.7% TGC from 45m
Speaking on the results, Castle Mining Director, Stephen Stone, said: “The interim assay results from 23 holes of the recently completed 52-hole, 5,353m RC drilling program at the Kambale graphite project, Ghana, confirm that it is evolving as a very credible and still not yet fully defined deposit.
Several thick, high-grade and multiple intercepts have been returned, often at shallow depths and with a number falling outside of the existing Mineral Resource envelope.
“Several thick, high-grade and multiple intercepts have been returned, often at shallow depths and with a number falling outside of the existing mineral resource envelope”
Better intercepts included 58m at 8.2% TGC from 22m, 30m at 10.7% TGC from 30m and 3m at 18.0% TGC from 43m with a peak value 1m intercept of 21.2% TGC.
Once all results are available we will be able to position a series of diamond core holes to obtain samples for the next stage of test work and flowsheet development. We also have an independent geologist on standby to provide a JORC 2012 Exploration Target estimate.
It’s an exciting time for Kambale especially given the projected increasing demand and under supply of graphite for at least the remainder of this decade.”
Castle Minerals also notes that another goal of the current RC drilling is to test the continuity of ‘higher grade’ zones and provide locations for its upcoming diamond core drilling scheduled for Q4 of this year and to obtain samples for phase two test work on fresh, unweathered material.
In addition, a JORC 2012 Exploration Target estimate is scheduled to be provided in October 2022 by an independent geologist, with the intention of providing a new JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Q1 2023.
Castle Minerals is an ASX-listed company that has spent 14 years successfully operating in Ghana, establishing an excellent reputation for its pro-active commitment to community development, local employment and maintaining the highest environmental operating standards. The Kambale Graphite Project is located within a 137km-square prospecting licence about 6km west of the Upper West region capital of Wa in Ghana, which boasts excellent infrastructure comprising a small commercial airport, reliable grid power, water and many other services. The project currently boasts an inferred MRE of 14.5Mt @ 7.2% graphitic carbon for 1.04Mt contained graphite.
With the current RC drilling campaign still ongoing, Castle Minerals announces that it expects all assay results to be returned by early October 2022.
Images: Castle Minerals Limited
