Botswana Drilling Update
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Arc Minerals, the Africa focussed copper company, is pleased to announce the results from its scout drilling campaign completed at its Virgo Project located within the highly prospective Central Structural Corridor of the Kalahari Copper Belt ('KCB') in the Republic of Botswana.
Highlights
- Copper mineralisation and anomalism intersected
- Up to 3.65% Cu and 24 g/t Ag assayed over the individual sampled interval
- Interpreted Prospective Ngwako Pan / D'Kar contacts confirmed
- Zambia drilling programme being finalised over next few weeks
Nick von Schirnding, Executive Chairman of Arc Minerals, commented:
The maiden scout drilling campaign in Botswana on both licenses has been a great success with the prospective contact geology now confirmed to be present in both licenses. It is extremely encouraging to see significant mineralisation intersected close to the boundary of our licenses by Khoemacau that bodes well for our follow-up exploration campaign. I look forward to updating shareholders as we progress drilling the Virgo project.
Scout Drill Programme
The aim of the maiden scout drilling programme over both the PL 135/2017 and PL 162/2017 prospecting licenses that make up the Virgo project, was to:
- identify the lithologies below the Kalahari sand cover to confirm the presence of the interpreted D'Kar - Ngwako Pan formation contact.
- confirm the lateral extents of this favourable geology
- test for anomalism/mineralisation
This scout drilling campaign, with each hole spaced over 1km between profiles, has confirmed all of the above with contact geology, copper anomalism and mineralisation intersected with up to 3.65% Cu assayed over one of the sampled intervals near the contact between the D'Kar and Ngwako Pan formations ("DKF-NPF").
Figure 1. Image showing location of holes drilled and respective license holdings in Botswana
PL 135/2017 License
The companies PL135/2017 prospecting license is surrounded on three sides by Khoemacau Copper Mining Limited ("Khoemacau") prospecting licenses, who have recently been acquired by MMG for ~$1.9 billion.
This PL135/2017 license is located towards the south-eastern margin of the KCB occupying a similar geological setting to that recently drilled by Khoemacau at their recent Mawana Fold Discovery and the Zone 9 exploration target, where economic grades of copper mineralisation has already been intersected by drilling. These discoveries are located at the north-western and south-eastern margins of the Company's prospecting license respectively.
Khoemacau's Mawana fold discovery has defined a possible economic zone of copper mineralisation that appears to trend towards and into the Company's PL 135/2017 license (Figure 2.). The Company's recent scout drill holes intersected anomalous grades of copper mineralisation (details in the JORC Table 1. Report in Appendix A) close to this apparent trend and confirmed an east-west trending DKF-NPF contact position approximately 5km long running through the license.
Fig 2. Image showing Khoemacau license holding, targets and drilling results in relation to PL 135/2017.
PL 162/2017
Similarly, the Company's PL162/2017 prospecting license is partly bounded to the north and east by Khoemacau's prospecting licenses. One of the Company's RAB drill holes, used to guide the positioning of RC scout drill holes, intersected 3.65% Cu and 24 g/t Ag over a sampled interval of 1m ('ALV-RAB-017'; 25m-26m).
Further, a RC scout drill hole intersected 2.05% Cu and 58 g/t Ag over a sampled interval of 1m ('ALV-RC-005'; 85m-86m), providing further support that the prospective contact geology in this part of the license carries economic grades of copper mineralisation.
Fig 3. Image showing Khoemacau license holding and holes drilled in relation to PL 162/2017.
Further Work
Recent developments with respect to the Mawana Fold discovery and the existing Zone 9 target on the margins of the PL135/2017 license of the neighbouring Khoemacau license holdings and the intersection of economic grades of mineralisation on PL162/2017, warrants further exploratory work to be carried out in these licenses.
In order to fine tune the next phase, a ground based Induced Polarisation ('IP') Geophysical survey is being considered to inform further drilling programmes. The ground IP will help resolve the 3D orientation of structures and lithologies, while also helping to discriminate between types of conductive structures and providing targets for drilling.
About the Virgo Project
In November 2021, Arc Minerals Limited acquired a 75% interest in Alvis-Crest (Proprietary) Limited, the holder of two prospecting licences (PL 135/2017 & PL 162/2017) in Botswana's Kalahari Copper Belt ("KCB"), colloquially called the Virgo Project/Licences. These licenses, cover an area of over 210km2, with PL 135/2017 approximately 10km south-east of the large underground Khoemacau Copper mine recently commissioned by Cupric Canyon Capital LP.
Please see the below link to a map of the licences:
The Virgo Licenses cover an area of over 210km2 and lie within (PL 165/2017) and adjacent (PL 135/2017) to the highly prospective Central Structural Corridor and within 10km and 50km of the Zone 5 and Banana Zone copper projects respectively, known as the two largest copper projects on the KCB.S
Qualified Persons
Appendix A
JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 Report
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary |
| Sampling techniques | · Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. · Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. · Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. · In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. | Exploration work involved soil sampling, RAB, RC and Diamond drilling. Drilling conditions are well understood and double tube core recovery was used as ground is competent enough for better core recoveries. RC and RAB Chips and DD Core samples are processed using Industry standard practices of drying, crushing, splitting and pulverization at the ALS Laboratory in South Africa. ALS Laboratories are an internationally accredited global analytical services provider and their High Grade Aqua Regia ICP-AES with code ME-ICP41a was used to analyze these samples. |
| Drilling techniques | · Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). | RAB and RC drilling was done by a reputable company that has been drilling in the area. A geological contractor was present at the drill rigs to monitor quality of drilling. Sample collection was done by the appointed contractor reporting to client. Diamond drilling was done using double tube core barrel and logging was done on site to ensure 100% core recovery. Hole was collared using 6.5" Tricon bit to case off unconsolidated overburden and then HQ and reduced to NQ size to finish off the holes. Core was routinely oriented using a Reflex core orientation tool. |
| Drill sample recovery | · Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. · Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. · Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. | Core recoveries were measured after each run and any losses recorded on a standard log sheet. Core recoveries were generally greater than 90% . In one interval through the ore zone, there was core loss through the mineralized interval and this hole had to be redrilled. The nature of mineralization is such that core recovery and grade are related as the variability of the ore minerals is high. |
| Logging | · Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. · Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. · The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. | Geological and geotechnical logging is done on standard logging to log RC chips and Core samples. The detail of information captured is sufficient to support appropriate Mineral Resource Estimation. Logged intervals are based on both qualitative identifications of geological characteristics and semi-quantitative estimates of mineral abundance. All core is photographed as wet and dry and stored as digital records before and after sampling. Logging intervals are based on geological boundaries and or assigned nominal length of one or one and half metres. The geological log incorporates geotechnical parameters, lithology, weathering, alteration, veining and geophysical magnetic susceptibility. Electronic geological logs are created using Microsoft Excel logging templates on laptop computers and saved. All geological logging to be stored in an appropriate database software. |
| Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation | · If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. · If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. · For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. · Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. · Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. · Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. | Diamond sawn half core splits are cut. Split line is always checked that it is consistent with respect to orientation marks. Samples undergo sample preparation (Drying, crushing, splitting and pulverizing) carried out by ALS Laboratories protocols. |
| Quality of assay data and laboratory tests | · The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. · For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. · Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established. | All RC and Diamond drill samples were assayed for Copper using Aqua Regia digestion and ICP-AES for other elements. During sampling Blanks and CRM's were inserted for QAQC protocols. These were inserted on 1:20 samples. The Laboratories have also standard QAQC protocols they employ when processing and analyzing the samples. This is adequate for quality assurance of the results obtained. |
| Verification of sampling and assaying | · The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. · The use of twinned holes. · Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. · Discuss any adjustment to assay data. | There are strong visual indications for the presence of minerals in the samples and the general geology in the area has been thoroughly studied to give indications of formations that host mineralization. Significant intersections are visually validated and the core and chip samples are sent to an independent consultant who has been in the area for a long time to give his opinion as a check. To date no twinning of holes has been done All assay data is stored in a database on Laptops in an as is received basis with no adjustment made to the returned data. |
| Location of data points | · Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. · Specification of the grid system used. · Quality and adequacy of topographic control. | The Botswana Map Grid system is utilized for all map generations. Drill holes were all surveyed with a gyro instrument and collar positions recorded. Down hole surveys were done every 30m down the hole. The LIDAR data system provides all the topographic contour data in the area |
| Data spacing and distribution | · Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. · Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. · Whether sample compositing has been applied. | This will develop as the project progresses. It is still in the early stages for defining patterns of drilling. No composition of samples is being applied currently. |
| Orientation of data in relation to geological structure | · Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. · If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. | As this was maiden drilling experience, holes intersected the basement sandstone that is key in the area and interpretations have defined the structure in the area for future reference regarding orientation of holes. The core orientation has allowed for a general attitude of future holes and consideration will be made to position holes' perpendicular to the strike of the basement sandstone. All diamond drill holes will have core orientation to assist in the interpretation of mineralization and structure. |
| Sample security | · The measures taken to ensure sample security. | Appointed persons are the only ones allowed to access samples and permission is obtained for anyone wanting to review samples. The sample load is still small for a tighter security currently. |
| Audits or reviews | · The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. | An independent consultant has reviewed the sampling techniques and data. No issues have been raised. |
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)
| Criteria | JORC Code explanation | Commentary | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral tenement and land tenure status | · Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. · The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. | Arc Minerals Limited acquired a 75% interest in Alvis-Crest (Proprietary) Limited, the holder of two prospecting licenses (PL 135/2017 & PL 162/2017) in Botswana's Kalahari Copper Belt ("KCB"), colloquially called the Virgo Project/Licenses. The Virgo project is located in a emerging copper district in the Kalahari district in close proximity of some larger discoveries and cover an area of over 210km2. The Virgo licenses lie within (PL 165/2017) and adjacent (PL 135/2017) to the highly prospective Central Structural Corridor and within 10km and 50km of the Zone 5 and Banana Zone copper projects respectively, known as the two largest copper projects on the KCB. Historically, two copper-nickel soil anomalies have already been recorded on PL 135/2017 and PL 162/2017 and are approximately 3km and 2.5km in strike length respectively. The largest of the two anomalies, located on PL 135/2017, overlays an interpreted DKF-NPF contact, while a second more intermittent anomaly may be linked to extensional faulting around the dome edge. The large coherent anomaly on PL 162/2017, also appears to overlay the interpreted DKF-NPF contact on the northern limb of a syncline. The two prospects are situated in the Northwest District within the Kalahari Copperbelt of Northwestern Botswana. . | |||||
| Exploration done by other parties | · Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. | Former Anglo American prospective ground covered by widely spaced soil sampling that picked up copper in soils resulting in the Boseto-Khoemacau mines today. Several deposits exist within the vicinity and surrounding areas where future mining might take place. Acquiring the Virgo Prospecting licenses from Kopore Metals is the beginning of a long journey for Alvis Crest in the Kalahari Copperbelt. Within 20 kilometres is the Zone 5 deposit for Khoemacau Copper Mines to a tune of 92 Million tonnes of copper ore at 2.2%Cu. Within 120 kilometres is the Sandfire Motheo Project being developed with 67 Million tonnes of copper ore at 0.85%Cu. Within 70 kilometres is the Banana deposit for Khoemacau Copper Mines with 187 million tonnes of copper ore at 0.80%Cu. The Virgo project lie within highly prospective ground of the Kalahari Copperbelt and needs to be explored further to realize the potential of copper ore in the area. | |||||
| Geology | · Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralization.. | The Alvis Crest deposits are characterised as a structurally controlled strata-bound sediment-hosted copper deposit. Copper-silver mineralisation typically occurs at the stratigraphic and/or structural boundary between the contact of the oxidised Ngwako Pan Sandstone Formation and reduced D'Kar siltstone Formation. The boundary is both a chemically reduced and structurally controlled trap environment. Host rocks are unconformably overlain by unconsolidated Kalahari Sand and calcrete up to 60m thick. The lower ductile siltstones and carbonaceous units of the D'Kar Formation are the main host for most of the copper and silver mineralisation. The D'Kar rocks are composed of shallow marine sediments deposited >981 +/- 3 Ma (millions of years ago) and consist of finely laminated and chemically reduced mudstones and siltstones intercalated with carbon rich limestone and thin lagoonal black shale. Economic grades are dominantly related to shearing, folding and tensional failure along and close to the Ngwako Pan and D'Kar redox contact. Disseminated and hydrothermal vein-hosted sulphide mineralisation styles combine to produce continuity of high-grade copper and silver mineralisation over tens of kilometres. These higher-grade copper sulphide zones typically contain disseminated cleavage parallel lenticles and massive quartz-carbonate and breccia veins hosting chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite mineralisation. Sulphide assemblages are commonly zoned. The sequence is developed vertically upward from the base of the D'Kar Formation and can be seen to develop horizontally along strike at some deposits. The typical zonation sequence consists of low sulphur, low iron, copper sulphides (chalcocite and bornite) and passes upward with increasing iron content (chalcopyrite and pyrite). This sulphide zonation coincides with copper solubility precipitating of low soluble sulphides at the first reductant while chalcopyrite and pyrite remain in solution. | |||||
| Drill hole Information | · A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: o easting and northing of the drill hole collar o elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar o dip and azimuth of the hole o down hole length and interception depth o hole length. · If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. | ||||||
| BHID | EASTING | NORTHING | RL | BEARING | DIP | GRID | LICENSE |
| ALV-DD-001a | 727202 | 7703451 | 997 | 39.3 | -59.6 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-DD-001b | 727214 | 7703471 | 991 | 39.2 | -59.8 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-001 | 726942 | 7703122 | 997 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-002 | 727121 | 7703344 | 997 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-003 | 727335 | 7703644 | 997 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-007 | 726297 | 7703750 | 1002 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-008 | 728031 | 7702905 | 1002 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-009 | 728275 | 7703066 | 1002 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-010 | 728193 | 7703007 | 1001 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-011 | 726290 | 7703899 | 1001 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-012 | 726286 | 7704049 | 1002 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-013 | 726787 | 7704243 | 1001 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-014 | 726760 | 7704543 | 1001 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-015 | 726967 | 7704543 | 1001 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-016 | 695032 | 7700888 | 1000 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL162/2017 |
| ALV-RAB-017 | 695007 | 7700848 | 1000 | 0 | -90 | UTM34S | PL162/2017 |
| ALV-RC-001 | 726626 | 7704402 | 997 | 44.1 | -59.1 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RC-002 | 727296 | 7703583 | 997 | 39.3 | -69.5 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RC-003 | 727969 | 7702869 | 1002 | 54.8 | -70.8 | UTM34S | PL135/2017 |
| ALV-RC-004 | 693364.96 | 7699688.98 | 1000 | 329.5 | -59.6 | UTM34S | PL162/2017 |
| ALV-RC-005 | 695042 | 7700832 | 1000 | 327.9 | -59.4 | UTM34S | PL162/2017 |
Downhole intersections using a low grade cut-off of 0.2% Cu
| BHID | FROM | TO | INTERSECTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALV-DD-001a | 195.00 | 195.50 | 0.50m @ 0.28% Cu & 6 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-001 | 160.00 | 161.00 | 1.00m @ 0.32% Cu & 4 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-001 | 186.00 | 187.00 | 1.00m @ 0.46% Cu & 4 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-002 | 156.00 | 159.00 | 3.00 m @ 0.29% Cu & 4.33 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-003 | 125.00 | 126.00 | 1.00m @ 0.56% Cu & 11 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-003 | 138.00 | 139.00 | 1.00m @ 0.35% Cu & 2 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-003 | 143.00 | 147.00 | 4.00m @ 0.29% Cu & 6.50 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-004 | 108.00 | 109.00 | 1.00m @ 0.49% Cu @ 5 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RC-005 | 83.00 | 86.00 | 3.00m @ 0.92% Cu & 20 g/t Ag |
| ALV-RAB-017 | 24.00 | 27.00 | 3.00m @ 1.45% Cu & 9.33 g/t Ag |
| Data aggregation methods | · In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. · Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. · The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. | Exploration results are reported within distinct geological boundaries of the host rocks. The grades are reported as given by the analytical reports with sample length as support of the weight of the sample. | |
| Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths | · These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. · If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. · If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). | Drill intercepts are reported as downhole length. As much as is practical, holes are and will be designed to intersect veins or mineralized horizons at around 60 degrees to the mineralized unit. This will allow a better conversion to true width of the horizon. | |
| Diagrams | · Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. | Refer to figures and tables in the body of the release. | |
| Balanced reporting | · Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. | Refer to the drill hole information tabulated above | |
| Other substantive exploration data | · Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. | None except plans to continue further drilling after a planned IP survey is conducted in the area. | |
| Further work | · The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). · Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. | Plans to conduct an IP survey over two potential soil copper nickel anomalies . |
Section 3 Estimation and Reporting of Mineral Resources
Not Applicable
Section 4 Estimation and Reporting of Ore Reserves
Not Applicable
Appendix B - Glossary of Technical Terms
| "geochemical" | Refers to geological information using measurements derived from chemical analysis |
| "gossan" | is an iron-bearing weathered product that usually overlies a sulphide deposit |
| "g/t" | grams per tonne; equivalent to parts per million ('ppm') |
| "K" | The element potassium, abundance on surface can be inferred from radiometric surveys |
| "Pyrrhotite" | Pyrrhotite is an iron sulfide mineral with the formula Fe(1-x)S (x = 0 to 0.2). It is a nonstoichiometric variant of FeS, the mineral known as troilite . Pyrrhotite is also called magnetic pyrite |
| "syncline" | a trough of stratified rock in which the beds dip toward each other from either side. |
| "Th" | The element thorium, abundance on surface can be inferred from radiometric surveys |
| "U" | The element uranium, abundance on surface can be inferred from radiometric surveys |
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