ASX-listed junior miner Tando Resources has mobilised one reverse circulation and one diamond core drilling rig at its SPD Vanadium project, in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, and is ready to start a A$1.4-million drilling programme.
Assay results are expected to underpin strong newsflow over the coming quarter. Drilling is scheduled for both the existing high-grade resource and the surrounding high-grade vanadium pipes, simultaneously.
As part of mobilisation, the drilling contractor has recruited employees from the local communities, assisted by Tando, which is expected to be the first of many opportunities for the project to provide employment and training for these communities.
Phase 1 of the drilling programme will comprise 18 holes for 1.6 km at the SPD deposit, where there is currently a resource of 513-million tonnes, at a grade of 0.78% vanadium.
Tando expects to publish a mineral resource estimate by end-October.
Additionally, Phase 1 will include the first holes to be drilled at the shallow, high-grade vanadium pipes which sit within a 3 km radius of the SPD deposit.
First visual results from drilling of the pipes are expected later this month, with assay results likely to be received during October.
Following completion of Phase 1, Phase 2 will entail upgrading the maiden Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource to the indicated category.
Phase 2 is currently designed to comprise 58 holes for 5.5 km.
The SPD vanadium project is located in a similar geological setting to the mining operations of Rhovan, owned by Glencore; Vametco, owned by Bushveld Minerals; and Mapochs, owned by International Resources.