Strategic Minerals finds new areas of tin and tungsten mineralisation at DDC
( ) updated markets today on its Deep Digital Cornwall (DDC) project. The company's wholly-owned Cornwall Resources Limited (CRL) released its first datasets from the site, located within the license area to the west of Redmoor. DDC is led by the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines (CSM), in which CRL and Cornish Lithium are delivery partners.
Highlights
Cornwall Resources found new areas of mineral prospectivity for tin and tungsten, identified in DDC soil sampling results. In particular, tin, including 1% Sn (10,000 ppm) or 1.06% Sn(Eq) in soil sample DDC001275, includes potentially significant results for further follow-up.
Figure 1: Minerals Prospectivity Map of the Redmoor license area covered by DDC soil samples. (A) Elevated Sn-W-Cu anomalies, (B) Elevated SN-W anomalies and (C) Elevated SN-W-CU anomalies. A and B represent trends consistent with the lode and SVS mineralisation at Redmoor, and C represents higher values associated with two modelled granite upwellings (MGU).
Cornwall Resources also reported the likely presence of two sub-surface granite upwellings, identified in Reid Geophysics' 3D model interpretation of the granite body and accompanying reports. This new model is a significant improvement on the knowledge of the potential size, shape, and nature of the granite body, CRL said.
The modelled presence of the two subsurface granite upwellings, combined with the DDC soil sampling results, highlights the potential for new mineralised systems to the west of Redmoor, CRL explained.
Figure 2: shows the location of the soil samples in relation to the Redmoor JORC (2012) compliant Resource (11.7mt @ 1.17% Sn (Eq)) and other examples of historical mining. The newly modelled granite upwellings between Redmoor and the soil samples suggest further potential for mineralising systems to the west with the soil sampling results and MPM highlighting this potential.
As the DDC project is now entering its second and final phase, all of Cornwall Resources's datasets have been provided to the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines for storage and use by SMEs and researchers.
View from Vox
Phase 1 of the Deep Digital Cornwall project saw a total of 1,702 soil samples collected alongside 910 gravity survey points. Cornwall Resources is now busy with Phase 2, maximising its grant from the European Regional Development Fund, to develop further high-quality datasets and increase confidence at Redmoor.
Phase 2 began in June 2022, and will consist of 798 soil samples, targeting infill around soil and gravity anomalies, and likely new aerial and drone surveys. Sampling should conclude shortly and data is expected to be analysed before the end of 2022. Results from Phase 2 will be used to update the company's prospectivity map model and target future investigations.
Cornwall Resources continues preparation for a drill programme to test at depth previously reported results. Its application to do so has been approved by the Cornwall Council, and drilling of four boreholes is expected to commence in 2023. The programme will test the reported tin target and potential westward continuation of the Redmoor Sheeted Vein System orebody.
Overall, these DDC datasets confirm that mineralisation likely continues west of Redmoor, an historically underexplored area. The company said its experience at Redmoor has often indicated that grades increased significantly at depth. The new granite model is therefore encouraging with potential to expand on the existing resource.
The UK now defines tin and tungsten as "critical minerals", further underlining the potential value of Deep Digital Cornwall.
Follow News & Updates from Strategic Minerals:
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest
The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.