Syndicated Metals discovers broad intersections of high grade manganese near Kalman in Mt Isa

Syndicated Metals (ASX: SMD) has uncovered high grade manganese of up to 45 metres at 23% from rock chip sampling at the Manganese Ridge prospect located 400 metres from the Kalman copper-gold-molybdenum-rhenium deposit in Northwest Queensland.  

Kalman is situated 60 kilometres to the southeast of the major mining centre of Mount Isa.

Further highlights of the rock chip sampling included one peak 10 metre sample at 34% manganese.

Managing director Russell Davis said while the search for manganese is not Syndicated’s priority, its close proximity to Kalman, the prominent outcropping nature of the mineralisation and potentially significant tonnage potential indicated that the area warranted some investigation.

“The encouraging results from the initial rock chip sampling support this view,” he said.

“There are clearly thicker and higher grade sections within the six kilometre strike length and these areas will be the target of follow up work to identify near surface bodies of economically recoverable manganese oxide ore.”

Another plus for the Manganese Ridge prospect is its favourable location in relation to mining infrastructure, including a railway line, and the nature of the occurrence of the mineralisation on a prominent ridge which would reduce any stripping required.

A total of 78 rock chip samples were collected along 31 lines. The average line width was 30 metres with a length weighted average of 13% manganese.

24% of the samples have manganese grades in excess of 20%, and 37% in excess of 15%.

Three holes drilled for base metals to around 150 metres vertical depth below the manganese rich outcrops returned lower order manganese values (>5%) within the sediments indicating the high (>20%) manganese values from the rock chip sampling are probably a result of enrichment within the near surface oxidised zone.

The near surface zone has not previously been tested by drilling and further exploration for potentially economic material should focus in this area.

This latest discovery at Manganese Ridge further confirms the multi-metal mineral potential of the immediate Kalman area, which includes Kalman (copper-gold-molybdenum-rhenium), Andy’s Hill (copper-gold and rare earth elements), Pandora’s Gift (copper-gold) and Manganese Ridge (manganese).

Just last week Syndicated unearthed consistent high grade copper-gold mineralisation over 900 metres of strike from rock chip sampling along the Pindora Fault, 5 kilometres to the southeast of the Kalman deposit.

Kalman is an advanced molybdenum-rhenium and copper-gold deposit covering 700 square kilometres in the mineral-rich Mt Isa region.

A review of the existing 60.8 million tonnes at 0.32% copper, 0.05% molybdenum, 1.19 grams per tonne (g/t) rhenium and 0.15g/t gold JORC Resource is currently underway.

Importantly, the Kalman deposit has the potential to be a company maker for Syndicated with its significant exploration potential as a result of its sizeable targets.

Originally published at: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/24720/syndicated-metals-discovers-broad-intersections-of-high-grade-manganese-near-kalman-in-mt-isa-24720.html