BWA Group PLC Results of Granulometric Testwork Nkoteng Project,
07 September 2022 - 4:00PM
UK Regulatory
TIDMBWAP
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF REGULATION 11
OF THE MARKET ABUSE (AMMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS 2019/310.
7 September 2022
BWA Group PLC
("BWA", or the "Company") (AQSE: BWAP)
Results of Granulometric Testwork at the Nkoteng Heavy Mineral Sands Project,
Cameroon
BWA Group plc [AQSE: BWAP], which has mineral exploration licences in both
Cameroon and Canada and is quoted on London's AQSE Growth Market, provides an
update on its recently completed in house granulometric studies, carried out on
20 samples from the recently completed mechanised auger programmed, from within
the Nkoteng 1 Licence, Central Cameroon ("Nkoteng 1" or the "Nkoteng Project").
BWA currently has four heavy mineral sands ("HMS") licences across two project
areas in Cameroon, all of which are at an early stage of exploration. The
Nkoteng 1 Licence covers an area of 497 km2 and the contiguous Nkoteng 2
Licence covers an area of 500 km2, located 60 km to the northeast of Yaoundé
with easy transport links to the port of Douala. The Nkoteng Licences cover
significant part of the HMS prospective Sanaga river system (See Figure 1). The
Dehane 1 and Dehane 2 Licences ("Dehane" or the "Dehane Project") cover an area
of 186 km2 comprising part of the prospective Nyong river system, estuary, and
coastal zone, located approximately 166 km to the west of the capital, Yaoundé
and 70 km from the deep seaport and industrial zone of Kribi.
BWA is pleased to announce the findings of in house granulometric and size
fractioning studies from 20 samples taken from the recently completed closed
barrel mechanised auger sampling programme on the Nkoteng 1 Project, reported
in accordance with JORC (2012). The short shallow auger sampling programme
completed in June 2022 drilled 107 holes for 193.30 metres and 171 primary
samples (RNS dated 29th of June 2022). The programme targeted the central
sector of the licence where pitting and hand auger sampling (BWA, 2021)
identified an area of anomalous Ilmenite, Rutile, Zircon and Kyanite alluvial
HMS (See Figure 2).
A selection of 20 samples from the mechanised auger programme underwent
granulometric and size fractioning studies, completed by BWA using the
facilities at Afrigeolabs, Yaoundé (See Figure 2 and 3). These are duplicate
portions of the samples which have been selected for submission to specialist
laboratory in Germany for heavy mineral separation and mineral composition
testwork, currently awaiting shipment, with results expected Q4 2022.
A version of this announcement containing the maps, figures and appendices can
be viewed on the Company's website, http://www.bwagroupplc.com/.
Highlights:
* Rutile is most abundant mineral, especially concentrated within the sand
size fraction -600 to +180 µm (see Figure 3). Major ilmenite was also
observed.
* Minor HMS also observed in -150 µm size fraction.
* Minor kyanite observed in weathered clays.
* Plastic clays contain elevated ilmenite in select areas.
* Implications of the granulometric studies are as yet not fully recognised,
although suggest distinctive mineralised size fractions and preferred host
strata.
Outlook
The Company are currently processing the new granulometric and size fractioning
results to understand the implications. This new work will be combined with the
heavy mineral separation and mineral identification testwork due in late Q3, to
understand the relationships and add more information to improve the
understanding of the heavy mineral deposits.
BWA are very encouraged by the presence of observed intervals of Ilmenite,
Rutile, Zircon and Kyanite within the programme area, especially within the
-600 to +180 µm fraction (see Figure 3).
James Butterfield, interim Non-executive Chairman of BWA, commented:
"We are encouraged by this latest round of granulometric and size fractioning
results from the Nkoteng licence area, again showing the occurrence of target
mineralisation from all horizons within the prospective area and supporting
earlier observations.
We look forward to the receipt and interpretation of results on completion of
planned laboratory sample testwork from Germany and comparison with the
granulometric results for use in geological modelling and potential mineral
resource estimates".
Summary of Exploration Works
In accordance with JORC (2012) reporting guidelines, a summary of the material
information used is set out below. For further details, please refer to the
JORC (2012) Table 1, located in the Appendix to this announcement.
The exploration programme from which the 20 samples have been selected
consisted of 107 holes for 193.30 metres and 171 primary samples, collected
within the current and paleo Sanaga river floodplain (see Figure 2). The holes
were mechanically drilled using a Van Walt windowless percussion sampling
system with half core samples split for analysis, with the remaining half core
stored in bags for reference and duplicate samples as necessary. The duplicate
portion of the sample was used for the granulometric works.
The 20 samples were dried in an oven for 24 hours and then six sieves with the
following mesh size were used to separate the fractions for each sample: +1 mm
(F1), +600 µm (F2), +180 µm (F3), +150 µm (F4), +75 µm (F5) and -75 µm (F6).
The separated fractions F1 to F5 were oven dried again for weighing (F6 did not
require re-drying).
Each separate size fraction was mixed with water and panned to separate out the
lighter materials such as muscovite, quartz and organic matter. The remaining
heavy minerals are observed at the base of the pan for each size fraction, this
was then dried.
The pink / reddish colour of the rutile makes it easy to identify in the +600 µ
m to +180 µm fractions within the pan and they regularly form a peripheral ring
around the black ilmenite minerals (see Figure 3). In F1 and F2 fractions, the
bluish kyanite is easily distinguished. Additionally, within the silty-clay
fraction, minor ilmenite is observed.
The table below shows the lithology, minerals and the weight of any from the
various size fractions of the granulometric testwork. The work shows that the
majority of the target minerals are situated within the +600 to +180 µm
fraction and is encouraging in terms of potential for heavy liquid separation
of the minerals of interest, as demonstrated by earlier limited mineral
separation and XRD mineralogy work completed by BWA as announced in RNS dated
1st February 2022.
Additional work is required to understand the implications for continuing
exploration, as well comparing this granulometric work to the mineral
separation work, expected to be completed in late Q3.
FIELD GEOLOGY (+) 1mm (+)600 µm (+)180 µm (+)150 µm (+)75 µm (-)75 µm
Pit ID From To Lith Min Wgt Min Wgt Min Wgt Min Wgt Min Wgt Min Wgt
(g) (g) (g) (g) (g) (g)
NKA_163 0.10 1.60 Plastic Clay R 239 R 150 R 257 I 8
NKA_163 1.60 2.60 Sand I 14 I+R 281 I 75 I 94 I 16
NKA_078 0.00 1.90 Plastic Clay R 7 R 15 R 210 I+R 27
NKA_078 1.90 4.00 Sand R 106 R 172 R 363 R 186 I+R 200 I+R 22
NKA_124 0.10 1.90 Plastic Clay R 276 R 63 R 130 I+R 26
NKA_124 1.90 3.55 Sand R 67 R 90 R 400 R 65 I+R 91 I+R 8
NKA_148 0.10 2.30 Plastic Clay R 25 R 62 R 219 I+R 36
NKA_148 2.30 3.30 Sand 11 3 R 58 R 294 R 185 R 35
NKA_119 0.00 0.65 Sand R 89 R 114 R 253 R 40 R 113 I+R 12
(Secondary
alluvial
deposits)
NKA_119 0.65 1.35 Plastic Clay R 154 R 90 R 63 I 11 I 20 I 59
+ Saprolite
NKA_166 0.10 1.20 Sand R 38 R 133 R 368 R 78 R 108 I 99
(Weathering
Sand)
NKA_166 1.20 2.00 Weathering R 78 R 168 R 253 R 31 R 99 I 27
Clay + Sand
+ Gravel +
Saprolite
NKA_146 0.20 1.00 Sand R 16 R 31 R 355 R 84 R 163 I 16
(Secondary
alluvial
deposits)
NKA_140 0.05 0.90 Weathering R R 55 R 294 R 43 R 68 I+R 16
Clay
NKA_140 0.90 1.40 Weathering G 123 R 42 R 158 R 16 I 46 I 8
Clay +
Saprolite
NKA_121 0.10 0.70 Weathering R 16 R 38 R 137 R 29 R 84 I 13
Clay
NKA_121 0.70 1.20 Weathering R 100 R 28 R 86 R 14 I+R 114 I+R 10
Clay
+Ferruginous
concretion
NKA_085 0.00 0.90 Weathering R+K 16 R+K 36 R 215 R 28 R 68 I 23
Clay
NKA_085 0.90 1.40 Weathering G 424 R 19 R 85 R 21 R 42 I 12
Clay
+Ferruginous
concretion
+Saprolite
NKA_159 0.10 1.80 Weathering R 23 R 36 R 146 R 84 R 211 I 69
Clay
R-rutile, I - ilmenite, K - kyanite and G - goethite.
Geology and Geological Interpretation
The prospective Sanaga river is the main river which runs through the BWA
Nkoteng 1 and 2 licence area and accommodates approximately 100 km of the river
floodplain system and associated tributaries, and an even larger
paleo-floodplain area, observed in satellite imagery, although this has yet to
be fully ground-truthed through fieldwork.
The geological sequence generally consists of a cover of clays, overlying the
target deposit layer consisting of sands and gravels, generally laying directly
on the bedrock.
Surficial geology encountered during the auger programme comprised of 0.2 m of
surface organic rich soil, alluvial clays and sandy clays ranging from 0 m to 4
m with an average thickness of approximately 1.3 m thick, and basal sand and
gravels ranging from 0 m to 3 m thick in places.
The Nkoteng deposit is likely to be a trap placer (native) deposit. The entire
stratigraphic column of the Sanaga alluvial deposits is considered potentially
mineralised.
Nkoteng is located within the Yaoundé Domain of the Pan African Belt, a large
nappe unit that has been thrusted southward onto the Congo Craton and is
characterised by low-grade to high-grade garnet bearing metamorphosed schists,
gneiss and orthogneisses.
Implications for Exploration
The positive results for rutile and ilmenite content from the sampled areas are
extremely encouraging and show positive continuation of mineralisation over 8
km.
BWA are extremely encouraged by the grade and extent of all the target minerals
and are planning follow up work, to be conducted shortly.
Competent Person's Statement
The information in this report which relates to exploration results for the
Nkoteng Project is based upon and fairly represents information collected and
compiled by Mr Emmanuel Simo, MSc., Senior Geologist and Chief Geologist for
BWA, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
The results were reviewed by Mr J.N. Hogg, MSc. MAIG, Principal Geologist for
Addison Mining Services (AMS) and Non-executive Director of BWA.
Mr Simo and Mr Hogg have sufficient experience relevant to the style of
mineralisation, the type of deposit under consideration and to the activity
undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012
edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves.
Mr Hogg has reviewed and verified the technical information that forms the
basis of and has been used in the preparation of this announcement, including
all sampling and analytical data, and analytical techniques. Mr Hogg consents
to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on the information,
in the form and context in which it appears.
Forward Looking Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements which involve a number of
risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good
faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. These statements reflect current
expectations, intentions or strategies regarding the future and assumptions
based on currently available information. Should one or more of the risks or
uncertainties materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary from the expectations, intentions and strategies
described in this announcement. No obligation is assumed to update forward
looking statements if these beliefs, opinions and estimates should change or to
reflect other future developments.
For further information on the Company, please visit http://www.bwagroupplc.com
/index.html or contact:
BWA Group PLC +44 (0) 7770 225 253
James Butterfield enquiries@bwagroupplc.com
Interim Chairman
Allenby Capital Limited +44 (0)20 3328 5656
Corporate Adviser
Nick Harriss/Freddie Wooding
Glossary of Technical Terms:
"%" percent;
Al2O3 Aluminium Oxide;
"ALS" Australian Laboratory Services;
"AMS" Addison Mining Services;
"BRGM" Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minié
(French Geological Survey);
"BWA" BWA Group PLC;
"DTM" Digital Terrain Model. Computerised topographic model;
"DUP" Décret d'Utilité Publique (Public Utility Decree);
"HMS" Heavy Mineral Sands;
"km" Kilometre;
"TiO2" Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium (IV) oxide. Generally
sourced from ilmenite, rutile, and anatase;
"Zr" Zircon or Zirconium;
"JORC (2012)" the 2012 edition of the JORC code;
"JORC" the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, as published by the Joint Ore
Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals
Council of Australia;
"m" metre;
"ME-XRF11bE" Analysis by Fusion/XRF;
"QA/QC" Quality assurance/quality control.
"µm" micrometre or micron, unit of length equalling 1×10-6 metre
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