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Writer's pictureCraig Nolan

Venus Metals uses geophysics to ramp up WA multi-mineral search


Venus Metals is using geophysical surveys to identify targets at its Marvel Loch East project south-west of Kalgoorlie in WA. Credit: File

Venus Metals Corporation (ASX: VMC) has used geophysical methods to confirm gravity anomalies and identify new prospects semi-coincident with magnetic and gravity high-tech surveys at its Marvel Loch East project in Western Australia.


Management says results from a recent ground gravity survey conducted across 500m-to-800m spaced lines with 200m station spacing, were compared with available WA Government wide-spaced (2km) gravity datasets. The results from the site that sits about 140km south-west of the historic gold-mining town of Kalgoorlie confirmed the gravity response in the northern section of its ground, defining three anomalies (N1 to N3) extending from 600m to 1km.


Before the ground gravity survey, Venus arranged a soil sampling program comprising 200 samples across the three identified gravity anomalies on the government dataset.


Management says the results of its assays indicate that the northern soil samples are not considered anomalous in base metals. However, it points out that the N1 gravity anomaly was not tested during the program.


A new round of geochemical sampling is now planned to test the anomaly and the surrounding area. N1 is a circular anomaly about 1km in size and appears to be closely associated with an east-west magnetic dyke, with similarities to the Jimberlana Dyke that is known to be prospective for base metals mineralisation.


The company completed 3D inversion-modelling that suggested the anomalies start at a shallow depth within 50m of surface. However, the gravity survey at the southern section of the site did not confirm the data evidenced by the historic government survey.


Encouragingly though, management commissioned a high-resolution aeromagnetic survey across the northern and southern sections of the project last year. In the southern section, it defined two anomalous responses (S1 and S2) associated with a magnetic halo surrounding a granite intrusion.


A 200m-by-200m geochemical soil sampling program at the S1 anomaly, completed as an infill program following up anomalies identified during an ultra-fine 2022 soil sampling campaign, returned anomalous rare earths values of up to 529 parts per million total rare earth oxides (TREO).


Venus’ priority is to explore the gold and base metals potential of its ground. It notes further infill gravity surveys will be considered to refine the extent of the anomalies, in addition to conducting extra geochemical sampling.


Electromagnetic surveys may also be used to confirm the presence of anomalous sulphides resulting from future geochemistry programs.


The Marvel Loch East project sits across two granted exploration licenses and covers 307 square kilometres of ground within the Southern Cross domain of the Archean Yilgarn Craton. Its site consists of extensive areas with poorly outcropping granitic rocks, intruded by laterally-extensive mafic dykes.


Previous exploration shows the project’s ground to be prospective for rare earths, with additional potential for gold and base metal mineralisation.


The company also has a range of other projects, including its Youanmi project in WA’s Murchison region that includes the promising Deep South prospect. Assays revealed in March showed lithium hits of 24m going 1.71 per cent from surface including a solid 14m section grading an impressive 2.54 per cent, also from surface.


It also has its Bridgetown Greenbushes lithium-nickel-copper and platinum group elements (PGE) play. Giant critical minerals producer IGO has a farm-in and joint venture (JV) agreement with Venus to acquire up to a 70 per cent interest in the project by spending $6 million and sole-funding all expenditure until the completion of a prefeasibility study (PFS).


Venus will be keen to test its many anomalies at Marvel Loch East for rare earths and other metals to ascertain if it can be considered truly prospective along similar lines to its Youanmi and Bridgetown projects.


Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: office@bullsnbears.com.au

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