JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Phase 1 exploration programme for the Danakil potash project, in Ethiopia, has been completed, with a National Instrument (NI) 43-101-compliant mineral resource estimate expected to be completed within the first quarter of this year, after which a full scoping study would be done, Aim-listed Premier African Minerals said on Friday.
The project is 30%-owned by AgriMinco, in which Premier holds a 42% stake.
The Phase 1 exploration programme included a resource drilling programme, during which 24 holes, totalling 7 893 m, were drilled, and 1 569 samples were submitted for assay work.
"I am very pleased with the progress that Danakil has made during the Phase 1 work programme. The licensed area has real potential to develop into a mine and I am confident that the planned mineral resource estimate scheduled for completion in early 2014 will support the project potential," AgriMinco CEO George Roach commented.
In addition to the NI 43-101-compliant report, desktop studies on the local environmental conditions and hydrogeology were also in progress, with the final reports expected before the end of January.
The studies would make recommendations on actions required for the next phase of exploration, while the hydrogeological study would also include the detailed planning of the water exploration project envisioned for the early part of 2014.
“The geophysical surveys are progressing well, with a 90% success rate achieved on survey attempts so far. A partial data set comprising the geophysics available to date has been sent for integration into the geological model, so that the impact can be seen and optimisation of the data can be fed back to the geophysics team prior to them finalising their readings," AgriMinco stated.