The NT Independent is providing an update of resource news from across the Northern Territory. Highlights this week include Tamboran Resources increasing its estimate of contingent gas resources at its projects in the Beetaloo Sub-basin after a review of extended production test data, Askari Metals starting field mapping and sampling exploration at Barrow Creek, Mandrake Resources entering a new round of drilling at its Berinka gold-copper project, and more.

Mandrake starts a new drilling round at Berinka

Mandrake Resources (MAN) announced a new round of drilling at its Berinka gold-copper project in the Territory. MAN said around 1,410 metres of reverse circulation drilling is planned to follow up on drilling completed in 2020 that was shortened by difficult ground conditions and rig breakdown.

Frontier drilling at the Vegetation Anomaly and Terry’s Gap prospects returned a three-metre intersection grading 1.8 grams of gold per tonne (g/t), 32 g/t silver and 2.1 per cent copper from 124 metres downhole, which included one metre grading 3.7 g/t gold, 69 g/t silver and 3.1 per cent copper.

The company noted that gold appeared to be hosted in a series of veins near a faulted contact between a gabbro and granite.

Now, 10 drill holes will target the original two prospects plus three new targets defined by soil and rock chip sampling completed as a precursor to drilling. In anticipation of tough ground conditions, the company has engaged a drill rig that can convert to diamond drilling, if needed.

Sabre Resources jump-starts uranium exploration

Sabre Resources (SBR) will be exploring uranium at its Dingo and Lake Lewis projects in the Territory. Both explorations are within its uranium-vanadium exploration licences in the Ngalia Basin near existing high-grade uranium and vanadium resources.

SBR will initially conduct induced polarisation surveys and magnetics work in the areas to define targets for follow-up rotary air blasts and air core drilling. This will pave the way for the company to define more exploration targets for future reverse circulation drilling at the projects, the company said.

The company said these two projects provide access to key uranium-vanadium targets near existing high-grade resources.

“Our exploration programs are now set to commence with geophysical and rotary air blast (RAB)/air core drilling programs to test for extensions and repeats of uranium-vanadium mineralisation at both the Dingo project and Lake Lewis,” said SBR CEO Jon Dugdale. “This continues the company’s focus on high-grade brownfields targets where we can utilise geophysics to target drilling in areas of shallow cover then rapidly advance projects towards resource delineation.”

Askari Metals begins mapping and sampling at Barrow Creek

Askari Metals (AS2) has started a field mapping and sampling exploration program at its Barrow Creek lithium project in the Territory. AS2 will be doing the field program over the previously under-explored south-central portion of the project and aims to test pegmatites that have never been explored for lithium mineralisation.

The company said fieldwork will take in the collection of rock samples on all visible outcrops to help further its understanding of the area to define future exploration targets. The company has earlier submitted the relevant permits to undertake a soil auger, air core, and reverse circulation (RC) drill campaign in the area.

AS2 vice president of Exploration and Geology Johan Lambrechts said the south-central area had the same depositional environment as other areas of recent exploration success.

“The company is encouraged by our discovery of fertile and very anomalous pegmatites in the northeast and southwest of the project area and we are excited to complete our reconnaissance phase on the south-central part of the Barrow Creek project with this current work program,” he said.

Tamboran Resources ups EP161 2C contingent gas resource estimates by 164 per cent

Tamboran Resources Limited (TBN) has increased its estimate of EP 161 contingent gas resources after a review of extended production test data from Tanumbirini 2H (T2H) and 3H (T3H). EP 161 is operated by Santos with a 75 per cent share with Tamboran holding 25 per cent of the project. The upgrade has been evaluated and certified by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.

“These extended production tests, an updated development strategy, which includes drilling 3,000-metre horizontal wells, and additional data supporting the reservoir continuity of the Mid-Velkerri ‘C Shale’ have led to a 73 per cent increase in Tamboran’s estimate of unrisked 1C contingent gas resources to 83 BCF (net to Tamboran) and a 164 per cent increase in unrisked 2C contingent gas resources to 404 BCF (net to Tamboran),” TBN managing director and CEO Joel Riddle said.

Natural gas company TBN develops unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Territory. The company’s key assets are a 25 per cent interest in EP 161 and 100 per cent holdings in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.