Mamba Minerals is pleased to announce that the CLC hematite iron ore discovery at its Snelgrove Lake Project in Canada’s Labrador Trough is emerging as a significant deposit, with the first assays identifying several high-grade zones grading up to 65 per cent Fe. As well as these high-grade zones, the assay results from the longer intersections in the first hole (MM-13-05 – see map p3) include: (see link) Importantly, assays confirm the deposit contains very low aluminum (0.50%) and low levels of phosphorus (0.053%), which will potentially increase the price paid for the final product because it could be blended with high-aluminum iron ore fines from the Pilbara. Average assays for the above intersections are shown below with full assay details on pages 4 and 5.

Upgrading process
Silica content is expected to be easily and economically removed using a conventional upgrading process of crushing, screening and de-sanding, generating a +62% Fe saleable iron ore fines product. Hematite processing in the Labrador Trough reduces the silica content by an average of 75 per cent. Based on this, Mamba would expect to generate an iron ore fines product with the following specifications:

Metallurgical test work will be undertaken to confirm the ability to upgrade Snelgrove hematite ore using conventional mechanical processes. Low cost hydro-electricity is available at C$0.04/kwh, making processing inexpensive. The first hole at CLC returned a 303m intersection of hematite.  This hole was still in mineralisation when drilling stopped. At a down-hole depth of 318m, geotechnical assessment has confirmed that the deposit is at least 235m deep. The second hole confirmed the deposit has a true width of at least 125m. The strike length of the deposit is estimated to be ~2km long based on gravity and magnetic data.

The third hole (MM-13-08) to test the CLC deposit is now underway 300m to the north-west of the two previous CLC holes. Detailed ground gravity surveys are planned to commence at the end of May to increase the accuracy of the DSO target areas. An extensive 15+ hole 4,000m+ drilling program will start in June/July with the majority of holes focused on DSO targets. Mamba Chairman Greg Burns said while the exploration work at Snelgrove was still in its early stages, the results achieved so far were highly promising. “These assays show that the CLC deposit has outstanding potential,” Mr Burns said. “The outlook is particularly favourable in light of the nearby railway and port infrastructure, all of which would help to ensure that any development would enjoy low capital costs and a short lead time to production.”