Viridis Mining and Minerals (ASX:VMM) announces laboratory analysis of selected surface samples has confirmed ‘high-grade’ halloysite-bearing kaolinite from the Smoky Project in New South Wales.
An initial batch of 4 surface samples was sent to the James Hutton Institute in Scotland, which offered a mineral analysis for kaolinite and halloysite identification and qualification.
Viridis reports grab surface rock sample VK-094 contains 36.6% halloysite in the raw material, while VK-092 contains 9.8% halloysite in raw material.
The company states the mineral associations seen in the sampling give confidence, as they resemble that reported in the published mineralised model for the target Koogah formation.
Additionally, Viridis says this is the first confirmation of halloysite at the Smoky Project site since the historical quarry activity in the 1980s.
Commenting on the surface sampling results, Viridis Mining and Minerals Executive Chairman Agha Shahzad Pervez says: “We are extremely pleased to report the confirmation of high-grade halloysite at the project and look forward to further updating the market on the results from our recently completed aircore drill campaign at Smoky.”
Viridis has recently completed an aircore (AC) drilling campaign at the Smoky Project with the intention of testing the depth, strike, and mineralogy of reported and potential kaolin occurrences.
“We are extremely pleased to report the confirmation of high-grade halloysite at the project and look forward to further updating the market on the results from our recently completed aircore drill campaign at Smoky”
Drill material has been sent to the James Hutton Institute for rapid formal assays, and following the receipt of results, Viridis will consider further exploration at the project.
The Smoky Project comprises a single exploration licence (EL8944), covering 6km-square in the upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The exploration licence consists of a historic halloysite quarry, and covers potentially more than 3km strike length of a known and ‘unique’ kaolin-halloysite bearing sequence.
Limited recent exploration has previously taken place at the Smoky Project. Yet, during 1983-1984, historic records have shown 2 drillholes were completed within the EL8944 area.
It was discovered that one of the drillholes contained kaolinite clay rock from surface to 23m, while the other drillhole contained halloysite from 11m to 14.5m. Additionally, metakaolin was identified from 21m to 26.5m and kaolinite was identified from 27m to 43m.
Viridis Mining and Minerals is a resource exploration and development company with assets in Canada and Australia.
The company’s assets include the South Kitikmeot Gold Project in Western Nunavut, Canada, the Poochera Project in South Australia, and the Boddington West, Bindoon, and Smoky Projects all located in Western Australia.
Images: Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd
