April 10, 2012 (Source: Marketwire) — Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (“GWMG” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE:GWG) (OTCQX:GWMGF) today announced assay results for the first batch of samples taken at the Company’s Steenkampskraal rare earth operation in South Africa for confirmation of historic work and for metallurgical purposes. 198 of 841 samples submitted to SGS Canada Inc., including QA/QC blanks, duplicates and standards, are reported at this time.
Assay highlights include:
- Underground Channel Sampling: Assays ranging from 15.90% Total Rare Earth Oxide (“TREO”) to 40.12% TREO with an average of 23.75% TREO.
- Drill Core: Assays ranging from 0.18% TREO to 31.07% TREO with an average of 13.83% TREO.
- Surface Tailings: Assays ranging from 3.85% TREO to 12.01% TREO with an average of 7.27% TREO.
- Comparison to Historical Data: Higher distribution of Neodymium, Dysprosium and Terbium.
GWMG President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Engdahl said, “These preliminary results are extremely encouraging for two reasons. First, the assays reported have either matched or exceeded the historical data. Second, the comparison of precious metals dealers indicates that Neodymium, the primary REE consumed by our wholly owned subsidiary Less Common Metals, is at a higher distribution level than the historical data indicated. While these assay results are preliminary, we are confident that we will be able to confirm and enhance the historic information as we move toward the preparation of a National Instrument 43-101 technical report.”
Underground Channel Sampling: The initial batch of 46 samples, representing 16 underground locations, taken on the 2.5 level along the main zone, over a strike length of 250 meters, returned assays ranging from 15.90% TREO to 40.12% TREO across the mineralized zone with a weighted average of 23.75% TREO:
Drill Core: The
diamond drill program had two primary goals: firstly, to provide
information in support of a fully compliant National Instrument 43-101
resource estimate for the area within the main mine site; and secondly,
to collect a representative mini-bulk sample for metallurgical testing.
The program comprised 39 diamond drill holes totaling 3,780 meters. This
included 17 holes for resource confirmation (1,932 meters) and 22 holes
dedicated to metallurgical sampling (1,848 meters). The initial assay
batch of 47 samples, representing 8 drill holes, returned grades ranging
from 0.18% TREO to 31.07% TREO with a weighted average of 13.83% TREO
in the mineralized zone:
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What are the initial rare earth assays reported by Great Western Minerals Group at Steenkampskraal?
Great Western Minerals Group recently reported initial rare earth assays at the Steenkampskraal resource. The results revealed high concentrations of critical rare earth elements. This discovery solidifies Steenkampskraal as a significant asset in the global rare earth market.