New Ceres Bauxite Deposit and Significant Bauxite Exploration Results
Perth, May 22, 2012 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Perth-based bauxite explorer and developer, Bauxite Resources Ltd (
ASX:BAU) is pleased to provide an update on bauxite resource definition activities in its southwest Western Australian tenement area.
An exploration drilling campaign was completed on private farmland near the regional town of Williams, Western Australia, in 2011 with the aim of defining additional bauxite resources. This work was carried out on exploration tenement E70/3179 (see Figures 1 & 2) which is included with the Company's joint venture with Shandong #1 Bureau of Geology & Minerals Exploration subsidiary HD Mining ("Shandong").
Final analytical data for the program was received during March and a preliminary review of the raw data by BRL geologists suggests that the mineralisation may add significantly to current geological resources. A resource estimation study has been commissioned by BRL personnel to be undertaken by an external consultancy. BRL expects to receive a JORC classified resource estimate in the June quarter 2012 once geological modelling is completed.
The exploration program comprised 3,017 vertical holes drilled for 7,923.5 metres across an area of approximately 3,500Ha on a nominal 80m x 80m drill pattern. A preliminary view of the data shows that significant bauxite grades and thicknesses are present, with approximately 14% of the holes containing available alumina grades of greater than or equal to 25% over greater than 2m thickness. The mineralisation starts from within 0.5m of surface and bauxite thicknesses of up to 8m were intersected (refer to Table 1 for significant intercepts).
The study area is focused on a small number of large private landholdings which are within a few kilometres of the Perth to Albany highway. Existing heavy rail and associated infrastructure exists approximately 30km to the east of the deposits.
Preliminary examination of the bomb analyses received to date indicates (for analyses greater than 25% available Al2O3);
- Available alumina in the range of 25 - 42.4% (arithmetic average 32.1%)
- Available alumina:reactive silica ratios in the range of 3:1 to 65:1 (arithmetic average 16:1)
- Reactive silica ranges from 0.4-8.5% (arithmetic average 2.8%)
- Above results from low temperature bomb analyses at 143ºXXC
- Total alumina within bauxite of up to 53%
The mineralised zones are shallow with limited overburden which increases potential for lower mining excavation costs.
The assay results quoted have been achieved without the aid of beneficiation processes aimed at removing contaminants such as clay and quartz through a simple wet-screening process, which would aid in upgrading the available alumina content and reduce the reactive silica content prior to processing. Beneficiation testing of material from the study area is planned to commence once resource analysis is completed.
To view the complete Bauxite Resources announcement including Figures 1 - 2 and Table 1, please click on the link below:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/DA6QPRRR
About Bauxite Resources Limited
Bauxite Resources (ASX:BAU) (OTCMKTS:BXRDF) was established with a substantial tenement holding in Western Australia to develop new bauxite supply for the global alumina/aluminium industry. The Company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in October 2007.
The Darling Range in the south-west of Western Australia (WA) is the world's largest bauxite mining and alumina refining region producing around 20% of the world's alumina. This area has mined bauxite and refined alumina since the 1960s. These industries are leaders in sustainable resource development and represent the fifth largest sector of WA's resource industry.
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