Red Rock Resources plc has encountered cobalt-copper oxides in its reverse circulation (RC) drill programme at the Luanshimba copper-cobalt project in Haut-Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
LICENCE
The 420 hectare prospecting licence (PR13513) lies in the Congolese copper belt, 65km southeast of the provincial capital of Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga.
The site covers the Musonoi licence – PE4962; Kamukongo licence – PE663; Kasombo South licence – PE2360
The Luanshimba project is operated by Red Rock’s 80% owned Congolese subsidiary Red Rock Galaxy SA.
SIGNIFICANT
Phase 1 of the programme comprises 2,000m of RC drilling in holes of 60m to 100m with operations currently on hole 11 which might be extended.
Cobalt-copper oxides including heterogenite were encountered in 10 holes in zones starting at depths between 19m and 70m.
Red Rock said that handheld XRF analysis indicated significant cobalt grades in mylonitic units but needed to be confirmed by laboratory analysis.
Additionally, pyrite encountered at bottom of some holes, indicating possible sulphide mineralisation at depth.
The first 850km of samples are being prepared for laboratory assay in South Africa.
EXTENSION
“Initial progress was slow but the drillers were able to replace the initial rig with a more powerful model, and drilling is now proceeding satisfactorily,” said Red Rock chairman Andrew Bell.
“Black oxide ores within the dolomites appear to host some copper and significant cobalt mineralisation, possibly related to a brecciated zone on the slopes of the west-dipping anticlinal structure.
“We look forward to receiving lab results, and are considering utilising the more powerful rig now on site to extend some holes to a 120-200m depth to test for copper sulphide mineralisation.”
Drilling is being conducted by Rubaco SARL with geological support from Minerals Exploration Associates SARL.
LUANSHIMBA
Red Rock previously identified in the southern part of the licence a 2km long anomaly up to 500m wide striking ENE, with anomalous metal assays with peak values of 519ppm Cu and 425ppm Co.
In the North, the company also considered significant a southeast-striking copper-cobalt anomaly some 1,400m by 300m wide, although more “subdued”.
Red Rock was established in September 2004 and had initial interests in iron, manganese and uranium in Australia.
The company’s interests, either alone or in joint ventures, are now in gold (Kenya, Colombia and Australia), manganese (indirect holding in South Africa); copper and cobalt (DRC); and gold (Australia).