Molopo Farms Complex, Botswana - Drilling Update

RNS Number : 8299I

Power Metal Resources PLC

07 December 2022

 

7 December 2022

Power Metal Resources PLC

("Power Metal" or the "Company")

Molopo Farms Complex, Botswana - Drilling Update

Drillhole Into Target Area T1-3 Progressing Well - Nickel Sulphides Identified in K1-3 Drill Core

Power Metal Resources PLC (LON:POW),  the London listed exploration company seeking large-scale metal discoveries across its global project portfolio announces a drilling update from the Molopo Farms Complex Project ("Molopo Farms" or the "Project") targeting a large-scale nickel and platinum group element ("PGE") discovery in southwestern Botswana.

Paul Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Power Metal Resources PLC commented:

"The Molopo Farms Complex Project represents a substantial discovery opportunity, both in terms of size and potential, and I am thrilled to report the presence of the targeted nickel sulphides* from the inaugural drillhole into target area T1-3, which is an immense target, the scale of which is clearly demonstrated within the figures below.

At T1-6, the targeted pyroxenite intervals originally intersected by the 2020/2021 drillhole KKME1-6 have successfully been intersected by the two new follow-up drillholes into this target area. Drill core samples from DDH1-6B are currently at the lab undergoing assay testing.

At target area T1-14 we await the detailed core logging results and the downhole geophysics survey data which recently completed.  We will report these findings in due course.

We push on with increased confidence and look forward to reporting further results as well as progress updates surrounding the completion of the drillhole at Target T1-3, as well as the commencement of inaugural drilling at target area T2-3."

*The presence of nickel sulphides was determined via visual inspection of core and subsequent analysis of identified sulphides utilising a portable X-Ray Fluorescence ("XRF") spectrometer.

DRILL OVERVIEW

Target T1-3

§   The inaugural drillhole (DDH1-3) into target area T1-3A is progressing well with the last reported depth being down to 355.66m. This drillhole is still underway.

§   Initial core review identified visible nickel sulphides at 327m and also within the interval from 348-354m, where an increase in intensity of visible disseminated sulphide mineralisation was identified. XRF readings taken within this interval have confirmed the sulphides to be nickeliferous.

§   It should be noted that the above findings are from the initial core review, and the grade of any nickel or other mineral intersections, can only be accurately determined from assay testing of homogenised samples at an accredited laboratory.

§   Hole T1-3 is continuing to the current planned target depth of approximately 450m. Additional technical details surrounding priority target area T1-3 were released on 30 September 2022 and can be found at the link below:

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/POW/molopo-farms-complex-project-update/15651506

Target T1-14

§    Drillhole DDH1-14B was successfully completed to a depth of 520m.

§   A downhole electromagnetic ("EM") geophysical survey is now complete with results expected in the coming days.

§   Detailed technical core review is currently underway and the results of this work in conjunction with the results from the downhole geophysical survey, once received, will advise the Company of next steps at this target area.

Target T1-6

§   Drillhole DDH1-6B was successfully completed to a depth of 650m with interbedded mafic units, predominantly comprised of pyroxenites and serpentinites intersected throughout the majority of the hole. Pyroxenites were the host rock for nickel sulphide mineralisation found within original drillhole KKME1-6 drilled during the 2020/2021 campaign.

§   Preliminary technical core review from DDH1-6B has been completed and select samples were prepared and dispatched to the accredited assay laboratory in South Africa for analysis.

§   Drillhole DDH1-6B(2) was completed to a depth of 300m which was designed to test for the up-dip (shallower) extension of the targeting pyroxenites identified by drill hole KKME1-6. Hole DDH1-6B(2) successfully intersected (up-dip) pyroxenites units, with detailed core review currently underway.

§   A downhole EM geophysics survey has been completed at target area T1-6, the final results of which will be delivered to the company alongside the geophysical results from target area T1-14 in the near term.

Target T2-3

§    Following the completion of DDH1-3, the drilling rig will then move to target area T2-3, where the first ever drillhole into this target is planned. Additional details surrounding target area T2-3 were released on 28 September 2022 and can be found at the link below:

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/POW/molopo-farms-complex-project-update/15647138

FURTHER INFORMATION

A plan map of the Project area, including the location of various targets mentioned in this announcement is outlined in Figure 1 below. 

Figure 2 (below) depicts a three dimensional ("3D") airborne geophysics magnetic inversion model of Target Area T1-3 showing the location of the planned drillhole DDH1-3A and the moving-loop electromagnetic ("MLEM") geophysics cross-section with the new 'Jelly Bean' shaped conductor in blue. The 3D model shows how the 'Jelly Bean' conductor sits within an apparent magnetic trough.

Figure 1: Map of Molopo Farms Complex Project with Named Airbourne Electromagnetic ("EM") Geophysics Target Locations and Current Drill Programme Status  (Projection: UTM Zone 35S WGS84)

Figure 2: Geophysical Interpretation Model of Priority Target Area T1-3 and the Targeted Jelly Bean Conductor. Depicted at 500m grid spacing (UTM Zone 35S WGS84 projection)

QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT

The technical information contained in this disclosure has been read and approved by Mr Nick O'Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a qualified geologist and acts as the Qualified Person under the AIM Rules - Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O'Reilly is a Principal consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which has been retained by Power Metal Resources PLC to provide technical support.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

For further information please visit   https://www.powermetalresources.com/  or contact:

Power Metal Resources plc
Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer)	[phone]
SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nomad and Joint Broker)
Ewan Leggat/Charlie Bouverat	[phone]
SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker)
Nick Emerson	[phone]
First Equity Limited (Joint Broker)
David Cockbill/Jason Robertson	[phone]

NOTES TO EDITORS

Power Metal Resources plc - Background

Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) is an AIM listed metals exploration company which finances and manages global resource projects and is seeking large scale metal discoveries.

The Company has a principal focus on opportunities offering district scale potential across a global portfolio including precious, base and strategic metal exploration in North America, Africa and Australia.

Project interests range from early-stage greenfield exploration to later-stage prospects currently subject to drill programmes.

Power Metal will develop projects internally or through strategic joint ventures until a project becomes ready for disposal through outright sale or separate listing on a recognised stock exchange thereby crystallising the value generated from our internal exploration and development work.

Value generated through disposals will be deployed internally to drive the Company's growth or may be returned to shareholders through share buy backs, dividends or in-specie distributions of assets.

Exploration Work Overview

Power Metal holds a number of priority exploration projects with active exploration underway currently. The status of each project is outlined in the table below:

Project	Operations	POW %	Project Status
Athabasca Uranium	12 properties covering an area of 842km2 in the Athabasca Basin region Canada.	100%	Exploration programmes undertaken across three properties during summer 2022 and preliminary planning for work in Spring/Summer 2023 is ongoing.  Desktop review work ongoing across the existing portfolio and data rooms established for all the projects, to enable third party review of opportunities for potential acquisition, joint venture or earn-in. Ongoing review of new opportunities to further expand the Company's Athabasca uranium property exposure.
Molopo Farms Nickel - PGMs	3 prospecting licences covering 1,723km2 in south-west Botswana	87.71%	Currently a 2,600m diamond drill programme is underway with a planned 5-6 holes targeting four previously identified magnetic conductors prospective for Nickel - Platinum Group Metals.  2 drill holes at target conductor T1-6 and one at T1-14 have been completed and drilling at target T1-3 target is underway currently. Downhole geophysics completed at DDH1-6A and underway at DDH1-14B. Further Moving Loop Electro-Magnetic surveys are planned over additional Airborne Electro-Magnetic targets identified, to develop further drill targets.
Tati Project Gold - Nickel	Botswana	100%	Reverse Circulation drilling and soil sampling has confirmed high-grade and bonanza grade gold mineralisation across a gold-in-soil anomaly extending for 8km across the Company's prospecting licences. Next stage exploration plans are currently under development. Sampling of fines dumps, representing waste material from the Cherished Hope gold mine on the project has confirmed circa 1g/t gold and suitability of the fines dumps for processing to extract gold and generate income.  Preparations for the fines dumps processing are advancing.

Exploration work programmes may also be underway within Power Metal investee companies and planned IPO vehicles where Power Metal has a material interest, the findings from which will be released on their respective websites, with simultaneous updates through Power Metal regulatory announcements where required.  These interests are summarised in the table below:

Company	Operations	Status	POW %	Further Information Link
First Class Metals PLC	Exploration in the Schreiber-Hemlo region of Ontario, Canada	Listed Investment	27.91%	www.firstclassmetalsplc.com
Kavango Resources PLC	Exploration in Botswana	Listed Investment	9.85%	www.kavangoresources.com
First Development Resources PLC	Exploration in Western Australia and the Northern Territory of Australia	Planned IPO	62.12%*	www.firstdevelopmentresources.com
Golden Metal Resources PLC	Exploration and development in Nevada, USA	Planned IPO	83.13%	www.goldenmetalresources.com
New Ballarat Gold PLC	Exploration in the Victoria Goldfields of Australia	Planned IPO	49.9%	New website under development which can be found at www.newballaratgoldcorp.com . In the interim further information in respect of NBGC can be found at: https://www.powermetalresources.com/project/victoria-goldfields/ .
Uranium Energy Exploration PLC	Uranium exploration in the Athabasca region of Canada	Planned IPO	50-55%~	www.uraniumenergyexploration.com

^* reducing to 58.59% on issue of equity for NSR buyout announced 5.12.22.

^~ subject to completion of disposal of Reitenbach and E-12 properties, announced on 8.8.22 and 4.11.22, respectively.

 

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