Substantial intersections of near-surface and subsurface, high-grade iron-ore mineralisation have been reported for exploration-stage iron-ore junior West African Iron Ore’s (WAI’s) ongoing Phase 1 drilling programme at its Sambalama project, in Guinea.

The current set of results received from SGS analytical facilities in both South Africa and Canada includes partial results for five reverse circulation (RC) drill holes and complete results for SAMRC 011.

The upper 8 m to 12 m of mineralisation of three RC holes (SAMRC 012, SAMRC 013 and SAMRC 018) appears to have the grades and chemistry to be shipped with minimal processing (direct shipping ore).

“The Sambalama project is 40 km from the proposed deep-sea port recently announced by the Guinea government, potentially giving WAI’s project at Sambalama a significant oper- ating cost advantage over other potential iron projects in West Africa,” says the explorer.

In July, nearby mine developer Bellzone Mining stated that the first 74 km of the railway line from the proposed port of Matakan to Moussaya, where multiple parallel magnetite-bearing zones have been discovered, has been agreed in principle with the govern- ment of Guinea.

Further, in accordance with the definitive agreements signed with the Chinese International Fund (CIF) joint venture in August 2010, the CIF has agreed to fund and develop the multiuser infrastructure required to support the export of iron-ore from the Kalia iron-ore mine and other projects that will be developed in the area.

The 74 km railway line is important for potential iron-ore mines where transportation is a key economic factor when feasibility is being considered, says WIA.

The latest drilling results at Sambalama indicate that mineralisation starts at surface and is continuous over the length of the drill hole, with the maximum hole depth being 130 m.

SAMRC 011 shows continuous iron mineralisation from zero to 120 m with an average grade above 28% iron. Within the continuous 120 m of mineralisation, two higher-grade magnetite intersections were identified at a depth of 52 m and starting from surface.

WAI is spending about $3.4-million on its initial exploration programme on the territory covered by the Forécariah permits.