Dateline Resources Limited (ASX: DTR) today announced that a review of US Geological Service data in conjunction with the acquisition of the Colosseum Gold Mine in California, has identified a radiometric anomaly within the Colosseum tenement that is similar to the nearby Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine.
Thorium and Potassium radiometric anomalies
The USGS data review highlighted coincident potassium and thorium radiometric anomalies on the southern end of the Colosseum mining claims. The anomalies cover an area of ~800m x 500m.
The anomalies are of interest to Dateline, as the Colosseum mine is along strike ~8km to the north of Mountain Pass Rare Earth mine, which has a similar potassium and thorium anomaly and is the only US producer of light and heavy rare earth elements used in EV batteries and high temperature electric motors.
Colosseum Gold Mine
Dateline has an agreement to acquire 100% of the Colosseum Gold Mine, which is located in the Walker Lane Trend in East San Bernardino County, California, USA. The mine has produced approximately 344,000 ounces of gold and has significant potential for extension to mineralisation at depth.
Dateline’s review of historic data at Colosseum had revealed a resource closer to 1.1 million gold ounces; a 57% increase from the earlier 700,000-ounce estimate.
Next up
Having completed a desktop analysis of the rare earths potential at Colosseum, Dateline plans to undertake a surface geochemical rock chip and soil sampling program around the radiometric anomaly during the second half of 2021. Additional field work may include geophysics and/or drilling.
“the USGS data provides a compelling case to incorporate rare earth element exploration into the upcoming field program at Colosseum”
Management comments
Dateline’s Managing Director, Stephen Baghdadi, said: “Our focus is primarily on the gold potential at the Colosseum, however the USGS data provides a compelling case to incorporate rare earth element exploration into the upcoming field program at Colosseum.
Fieldwork is required to determine the significance of this thorium and potassium radiometric anomaly.
We are along strike ~8km to the north of Mountain Pass Rare Earth mine and have similar geology and radiometric signatures which is very encouraging.”
Images: Dateline Resources Limited