Giyani Metals Corp. (TSXV:EMM, GR:A2DUU8), developer of the K.Hill manganese project in Botswana, has provided an update on its exploration programmes at the K.Hill Project as part of its feasibility study (FS) work, as well as ongoing exploration at its southern extension (K.Hill Extension) and the Otse manganese prospect (Otse).
Results from the K.Hill Project FS infill drilling programme, designed to upgrade the current inferred mineral resource to an indicated mineral resource and mineral reserve status, have confirmed the discovery of a new mineralised horizon, named the B Horizon. The B Horizon has not been included in any previous resource estimates for K.Hill Project and the company is analysing the data with its technical consultants with respect to its inclusion into the upcoming resource and reserve statement for the K.Hill Project.
To the south of the K.Hill Project deposit, 26 RC exploration holes have been provisionally completed, subject to deepening of two holes which initially finished in mineralised shale. The programme was revised from the planned 32 RC holes as evidence obtained from drill locations early in the program identified footwall units, allowing the team to discard some of the planned locations and to drill other more prospective areas.
This campaign is part of a step-out programme targeting a southwards continuation of the K.Hill Project gravity signature defined in earlier geophysical surveying. A total of 383 drill samples have been shipped to SGS for assaying thus far, which is currently expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2021. Another batch of samples is currently being prepared and will be shipped to SGS in August 2021.
The drilling revealed a new mineralised horizon, which seems to be similar in character to the Otse deposit. Approximately 30 m and 35 m of visual, medium to high grade mineralization was intersected at approximately 30 m and 25 m depths, in holes RCKH21_110 and RCKH21_115, respectively. Such significant mineralization was not expected at these depths and so the Company will undertake a two-hole diamond drilling program to confirm the orientation and structure of the orebody.
The existing drilling contractors will remain on site to undertake the new program, which is expected to take around four weeks and to be completed during the fourth quarter 2021.
At Otse, the IP survey was conducted over an area of approximately 50 hectares, focusing on two areas surrounding historical pits in the southern portion of the prospect. The survey’s objective was to detect manganese oxide mineralisation below overburden material and define drill targets, following prior geophysical surveys highlighting several anomalies indicating potential mineralisation.
The field work for the survey has been completed and the consultant will deliver the results and accompanying report at the end of the third quarter 2021. Initial results show IP anomalies clearly corresponding to high grade mineralisation. Targets identified will be followed up with a drilling campaign of around 3,000m, to commence in the fourth quarter 2021.
Otse is located approximately 40km east of the K.Hill Project.
Robin Birchall, CEO of the company, comments: “The exploration work at the K.Hill Project, the K.Hill Extension and Otse has exceeded our early expectations. The discovery of the B Horizon at K.Hill Project, and the newly identified mineralised horizon at the K.Hill Extension have the potential to add material tonnage to our existing resource base of 1,7-million tonnes for the wider K.Hill Project, increasing project life and ultimately enhancing the NPV.
“At the K.Hill Project, the B Horizon has been identified below the existing deposit and work has commenced to estimate size and grade. No resources for the B Horizon have been included in our estimations for the K.Hill deposit to date.
“Meanwhile, our drilling campaign at the K.Hill Extension, south of the main orebody, has confirmed the discovery of a significant new mineralized structure, which is bigger and thicker than anticipated. The K.Hill Extension is also not currently included in the existing K.Hill Project resource or the FS. If confirmed, this could also be a material addition to the resources previously discussed in our PEA, along with the B Horizon.
“Furthermore, the Otse project, 40 km to the east of the K.Hill Project, continues to look exciting and we hope the upcoming drilling campaign will confirm a material new resource, any production from which could be trucked to our proposed K.Hill Project processing plant.”