Rulenge Nickel Results Update

RNS Number : 7569N

Obtala Resources PLC

24 February 2009

 



24 February 2009

OBTALA RESOURCES PLC ('Obtala' or the 'Company')

Multiple Nickel Anomalies Discovered

Rulenge Nickel Results Update, Tanzania

The Board of Obtala Resources, the AIM quoted mineral exploration and development company is pleased to provide the market with an update of the results following on from the 'Strong Nickel Results in Rulenge, Tanzania' Press Release, dated 27^th November 2008. The outstanding soil sample results from Block D have been received, identifying additional multi-element geochemical anomalies.

Highlights

             ·          Geochemical anomalies occur 15km northwest of Xstrata-Barrick’s Kabanga Nickel Deposit

             ·          Multiple soil geochemical anomalies identified

·         7 Nickel-in-soil anomalies identified (2.2km² total surface area)

·         1 Copper-Cobalt anomaly identified (3.8km² total surface area)

·         Numerous gossans in outcrop identified during mapping

The outstanding results have been received from Block D and have defined a nickel-in-soil anomaly that is associated with anomalous cobalt and chromium. This brings the number of nickel-in-soil anomalies to 7 for the Rulenge licence area and completes this phase of exploration. 

Soil samples have been collected on a 200 x 100 meter grid (section line spacing x interval along section line) across the entire licence, with three areas selected for closer spaced sampling (100 x 50 meters) where zones of outcropping gossan were identified. 

Obtala engaged the services of Goldfinders Ltd (GFT), an experienced Tanzania-registered geological consultancy, to undertake the preliminary phase of soil sampling and geological field mapping on the Rulenge nickel licence. GFT has retained the services of geologists with previous field experience of working on the Kabanga exploration project. This prior knowledge has aided in the mapping process and compilation of the local geological stratigraphy. 

During the field mapping programme, a significant number of massive sulphide and semi-massive sulphide gossan outcrops were identified. The recognition of these gossans can be considered as highly significant. Gossans, by definition, are intensely oxidized and weathered rocks, usually originating from the upper and exposed part of a sulphide bearing body. 

A review of the 1970's study of the Kabanga area conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which lead to the original discovery of the Kabanga Deposit, indicates that the Rulenge geochemical threshold values are similar to those determined by the UNDP study at Kabanga. 

These nickel-rich geochemical anomalies range from 400-1,200m in strike length and cover an area of 2.2km2.

In addition to the nickel-in-soil anomalies, a 4,300m long copper-cobalt anomaly has been identified trending north-south, parallel to the strike of the meta-sediments, near the western margin of the licence area.

Click here to view map of Rulenge Nickel Project: Soil Geochemical Anomalies

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/7569N_1-2009-2-23.pdf

All samples were submitted to ALS Chemex (ALS) laboratories in Mwanza, Tanzania. ALS has preparation facilities in Mwanza with the prepared samples being dispatched to their analytical facility in Vancouver, Canada for analysis. All samples are being analyzed for multi-element analysis using the ME-ICP41 method (aqua regia digestion - ICP-AES). 

Rulenge in a regional geological setting lies within the units of the Karagwe-Ankolean System which forms part of the Mesoproterozoic Kibaran Orogenic Belt. The region is commonly referred to as the Kabanga-Musongati mafic-ultramafic belt, after the importance of the nickel sulphide bodies at Kabanga and the reef-type PGE concentrations of the Musongati nickel laterite deposit, in Burundi.

The Rulenge licence covers an area of 77.81km2 and is located 260km west of Mwanza, Tanzania's 3rd largest city, situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. The Rulenge licence is located 15km northwest of the Xstrata-Barrick Joint Venture Kabanga Nickel Deposit, which is currently undergoing a feasibility study. The western limit of the licence is the Ruvuvo River, which marks the border between Tanzania and Burundi.

Frank Scolaro, Chairman of Obtala, commented that our exploration licences continue to show encouraging results. These results show a strong nickel anomaly with significant gossan in outcrop lying in very close proximity to the world class Xstrata-Barrick Kabanga nickel deposit. Obtala remains fully funded to continue its exploration programme over all its licence areas for 2009 and thereafter. I am confident that further low cost and efficient exploration work will deliver additional encouraging results, and allow Obtala to realise value for our shareholders going forward.

Contact:

Simon Rollason - Managing Director Frank Scolaro - Chairman www.obtalaresources.co.uk	[phone]
Obtala Resources plc
Ray Zimmerman/Jonathan Evans/Sam Kiri	[phone]
Zimmerman Adams International Ltd - Nominated Adviser and Broker

 

END

 

 

MSCEAXADADKNEFE