OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) has expressed confidence in defining new rare earth element (REE) targets at its Splinter Rock and Grass Patch REE Projects in Western Australia.
The company notes that it has engaged Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO, to increase the understanding of the geochemical and geophysical signatures of REE targets, along with collaborating on techniques to improve rare earth exploration at the projects.
Initial works by CSIRO and OD6 will begin with a first-stage project to aid in providing improved geochemical and geophysical understanding of REE exploration under the CSIRO’s ‘Kick-Start’ initiative, and is expected to be completed by Q1 2023.
OD6 has also been granted a $50,000 ‘Kick-Start’ voucher, which provides matched funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities, however potential further works and additional ‘Kick-Start’ funding will reportedly be reviewed at the end of the program.
Addressing the partnership, OD6 Metals Managing Director, Brett Hazelden, commented: “OD6 is pleased to be working with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to help generate new knowledge and develop new technologies to increase confidence in clay base rare earth exploration.
“OD6 is pleased to be working with australia’s national science agency, csiro, TO HELP GENERATE NEW KNOWLEDGE AND DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE IN CLAY BASE RARE EARTH EXPLORATION”
We, as a company, are committed to working with some of the more innovative and collaborative organisations so we can minimise discovery risk and unlock the full value of our rare earth projects.”
OD6 also notes that the use of existing airborne electromagnetic geophysical survey data, along with CSIRO’s advanced mineral analysis and logging system, HyLogger, will be utilised to identify potential near-surface conductive zones that are interpreted to be the main clay horizons.
Early assessment of the reprocessed and modelled data demonstrates that this technique can indeed map regolith thicknesses and deep channels, as well as highlight areas of sub-cropping fresh rock.
In addition, review of the existing airborne electromagnetic geophysical survey data has warranted the commencement of a Tempest Airborne Electromagnetic Survey over both project tenements.
The main goal of the upcoming survey is to map clay locations across OD6’s current tenement areas to hopefully enable targeted drilling of these high priority exploration areas over the next 6 to 18 months.
OD6 Metals is an ASX listed public company with a goal of pursuing exploration and development opportunities within the resources sector. The company currently holds 100% interest in both of its Western Australian based tenements.
The Splinter Rock and Grass Patch REE Projects are located between 30km to 150km north of the township of Esperance within WA’s Goldfields-Esperance region, with both projects being prospective for clay-hosted REE mineralisation. The mineralisation hosted within the Splinter Rock REE Project occurs in a weathered profile adjacent to Booanya granitic basement rocks, which are enriched in REE mineralisation.
Meanwhile, the Grass Patch REE Project is predominantly situated on private agricultural land covered with wheat and sheep farming, however its associated tenements have extensive calcrete material having been quarried and utilised for sheeting and secondary roads within the region.
The project is considered an early-stage exploration project prospective for REE and currently boasts a principal prospect (Belgian Road Prospect), which is host to a 6km long neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) anomaly.
Completion of the upcoming airborne electromagnetic survey is scheduled to be completed for later this month, with analysis of the data expected to be complete during Q4 this year.
Images: OD6 Metals Ltd
