Rum Jungle Resources Limited (ASX:RUM) Updates On Karinga Creek Potash Joint Venture Project
Perth, Dec 20, 2010 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Rum Jungle Resources Limited (
ASX:RUM) is pleased to announce that assay results from the two Air Core drilling programs in October and November have been received and highlight significant potassium, magnesium and sulphate levels in aquifers surrounding the Karinga Creek Salt Lakes. These results are significant in that they show the spring water recharging the lakes is relatively high in key minerals as it enters the lakes where it evaporates to near saturation levels.
The diagenetic clays are enriched in potassium minerals via entrained brine and which are widespread throughout the entire project area may also be amenable to a washing/leaching process to extract potassium minerals.
During early December, pump flow testing has been carried out on four trenches on selected salt lakes and recharge rates calculated. The Joint Venture with Reward Minerals Limited (ASX:RWD) is extremely pleased with recharge levels even though the trenches for logistical reasons were located on the outer edge and surrounds of the salt lakes where recharge is expected to be significantly less than the central parts of the lakes. The wetter middle parts of the lakes will be tested in 2011 once roads are constructed on the lakes to allow excavator access without getting bogged.
Pump tests on the two larger trenches were carried out on three consecutive days with the trenches pumped out then allowed to refill with time and recharge rates recorded. The Curtin West trench was pump tested on two consecutive days and the Mygoora South Trench was only pumped once due to poor recharge rates most probably due to poor positioning of the trench on the western side of the lake due to poor access conditions elsewhere on the lake edge.
One litre and 20 litre bulk samples were collected from trenches and from the wetter parts of the lake and have been tested for conductivity in-house. Testing confirms the lake edges and lake surrounds contain brines that are of lower mineral content than those in the central parts of the lakes (eg Swansons 101mS v/s 240mS).
Mallee Well Trench
The Mallee Well trench was dug by NT Evaporites circa 1990 and has remained open ever since. This trench was selected for pump testing because of the high grade nature of the salt water brine which averages 7925 mg/L potassium (17.7 kg potassium sulphate/m3). Pump tests were carried out over three days and recharge was very good even though the trench is not located in the wettest part of the lake.
Swansons Trench
The Swansons trench was dug 350m south of the lake beside the access track where and Air Core drill hole intersected vigorous brine flow very close to surface. Swansons Lake averages over 4000 mg/L potassium and access to the lake is extremely good. Subsurface spring water flow into the trench was vigorous and visible from a number of points within the trench. The trench was pump tested over three days and recharge was high for the small size of the trench.
Curtin West Trench
The Curtin West trench was dug on the south western edge of the Curtin West salt lake which is a small north south oriented lake containing high grade potassium at 7200 mg/L potassium. Recharge here was slower but consistent at around 6 litres per minute.
Mygoora South Trench
The Mygoora South trench was dug on the western edge of a small circular salt lake with high grade potassium brine at 5175 mg/L. Recharge here was extremely poor in the clay rich subsurface however the centre of this lake is extremely wet and recharge is likely to be high in the mid part of this lake.
The Joint Venture will ramp up exploration in 2011 to include resource drilling with a helicopter supported vibracore drill rig. The Joint Venture will also commence process route testing and potassium sulphate and schoenite bench scale production trials. Baseline environmental surveys and hydrological assessment will also commence. A number of sites will also be selected for trenching and pumping to trial production ponds.
In-house resource calculations are currently being made for potassium sulphate and schoenite using known lake dimensions, 2m brine thickness and assumed brine content based on geochemical results from brine samples.
Based on exploration results from 2010 five proposed potassium salt production sites have been selected with varying numbers of salt lakes at each site. Production trenches will be dug into the salt lakes with brine then pumped to solar evaporation ponds at each site.
For the complete Rum Jungle Resources announcement including figures and tables, please refer to the following link:
http://www.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/64854-ASX-RUM-347763.pdf
About Verdant Minerals Ltd
Verdant Minerals Ltd's (ASX:VRM) strategic intent is to create shareholder value through the discovery, development and operation of fertiliser and industrial mineral projects, located in close proximity to existing transport infrastructure, with a primary focus on the Northern Territory of Australia.
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