The NT Independent is providing an update of resource news from across the Northern Territory. Highlights this week include Avenira signing a mining agreement with an Aboriginal corporation for its proposed phosphate mine, Core Lithium appoints new executive general managers, Investigator obtains NT funding for its Molyhil project, Tanami partners announce a $15 million budget for their NT gold project, and more.
Phosphate miner Avenira signs mining deal with Aboriginal corporation in the Barkly
Avenira Limited has signed a mining agreement with the Arrururra Aborigianl Corporation to continue to develop its Wonarah Phosphate Project after the company had been granted two mineral leases, enabling it to extract a bulk sample of phosphate for testing.
The NT Government put out a statement about Avenira, stating that if the testing is successful the company will commence a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operation. It’s expected to initially export phosphate rock and later supply to a proposed Avenira lithium iron phosphate project at the proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct.
Phosphate is typically used in agricultural fertiliser with increasing demand for use within electric vehicle and energy storage batteries, the government said in a statement, suggesting that if Avenira moves ahead, it would create 25-50 jobs in the Barkly region.
Investigator obtains NT Govt funding for Molyhil project
The NT Government will be refunding Investigator Resources (IVR) $70,000 of the budgeted $160,000 cost of the geophysical program of its Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project in the Northern Territory, as previously agreed, the company said. IVR sees its ongoing 3,400-gravity station program to be finished this coming November, with drilling to follow.
The upcoming drilling program will permit the company to develop a view of Molyhil’s future before the end of Stage 1 earn-in commitment in May next year. The Molyhil ground, which has been awarded major project status by the NT Government, has an estimated existing mineral resource of 4.38 tonnes of tungsten and 4,400 tonnes of molybdenum.
“Our view of Molyhil is that there are opportunities, both in re-estimation of the resource, as well as in regional prospectivity,” IVR managing director Andrew McIlwain said.
Core appoints new executive general managers
Core Lithium has appointed Pierre Malan as its new executive general manager for development and exploration, and Paul Benjamin as its executive general manager for commercial and marketing. Core said the new positions involved a 10-month recruitment process as the company advances from an explorer to a miner.
Mr Malan brings more than 30 years of experience developing complex mining projects in Australia and abroad. He will be focusing on Core’s exploration portfolio as the company enlarges the potential of its Finniss lithium project in the Northern Territory. Mr Benjamin, meanwhile, has more than 25 years of global experience in his role, which includes developing and managing commercial partnerships in the battery materials industry.
“The transition from developer to miner requires us to strategically assess and reset our outlook for the business,” Core chief executive officer Gareth Manderson said.
Kingsland raises $3.6m to advance Leliyn graphite project
Kingsland Minerals (KNG) has tapped investors for $3.6 million through a placement to advance its Leliyn graphite project in the Northern Territory. Approximately 11.3 million new shares will be issued at 32 cents each to new and existing shareholders. KNG will have a cash balance of $5.5 million after the placement’s completion. Bacchus Resources has also provided cornerstone support to maintain its 11.2 per cent stake in KNG.
“The new funds will be used for exploration and development programs at its Leliyn project. We look forward to providing continuous news flow over the coming months with RC drilling ongoing and several assays pending,” KNG managing director Richard Maddocks said.
Tanami partners set $15m budget for NT gold project
Northern Star Resources and Tanami Gold have approved a $15-million exploration budget for 2023/24 for its joint-venture Central Tanami Gold project (CTP) in the Northern Territory. The budget includes provision for diamond core, reverse circulation (RC) and air core drilling directed at a series of targets throughout CTP.
The funds are earmarked for down plunge extension drilling at the Groundrush gold deposit, along with strike extension and infill drilling at the Ripcord gold deposit and Jims gold deposit, near mine exploration between and surrounding Groundrush and Ripcord, brownfield exploration on other nearby gold deposits and Greenfield exploration in the surrounding tenements.
“RC and diamond core drilling on the CTP resumed in May, following a six-month hiatus over the northern wet season. Initial programmes have focused on finalising programmes at Groundrush and Ripcord from the 2022/23 budget period,” the company said.
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