HIGHLIGHTS:
· A gravity survey has been completed over VTEM 13 (Zuha prospect, Block 4), Ghayth (Block 4 ) and Sarami West (Block 5) prospects
· These three high priority exploration areas cover a total of 12 Electromagnetic (EM) conductors identified by Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (‘VTEM’) (airborne EM) and ground EM surveys
· All three areas were drill tested during 2015 and contained encouraging alteration systems suggesting proximity to volcanogenic massive sulphide (‘VMS’) mineralisation
· Gravity surveying is a proven tool in VMS exploration, responsible for many discoveries and; results of these gravity surveys, expected in June, will further refine drill targets
· The two stage 2,080m drill programme1, targeting a resource upgrade, is continuing as planned at the Maqail South and Mahab 4 prospects in Block 5 and the Dog’s Bone (part of the Aarja Mine) and Bayda Prospects in Block 4
David Archer, Savannah’s Chief Executive Officer said “We are continuing to accelerate activity in Oman; with our two stage drill programme now well underway at the Aarja Mine in Block 4 and the completion of a gravity survey over three VMS targets on Blocks 4 and 5. We continue to target commercial production in late 2017.
“The gravity surveys provide another layer of information to assist in the discovery of VMS orebodies in this highly prospective region. The three areas surveyed exhibit excellent geological and geophysical characteristics that make them prospective targets for further refinement using gravity surveys. We look forward to keeping shareholders updated with the results not only from this survey, but also our current drilling activity.”
Figure 1. Location Map showing Position of Gravity Surveys
Figure 2. The Gravity Survey being conducted
GRAVITY PROGRAMME
The gravity survey was designed to cover three high priority exploration areas; VTEM 13 (Zuha), Ghayth and Sarami West, which cover a total of 12 Electromagnetic (EM) conductors highlighted in the VTEM (airborne EM) and ground EM surveys. All three of these areas were drill tested during 2015 and showed encouraging alteration systems suggesting close proximity to VMS mineralisation, but to date no massive sulphide mineralisation has been defined. The Company believes that through the application of a gravity survey areas of denser material associated with the EM conductors can be defined that might point to the position of potential VMS mineralisation, which will then be targeted by follow up drilling.
VTEM 13 (Zuha)
The airborne VTEM survey, completed in February 2015, identified a strong conductor at the Zuha prospect called VTEM 13 (Figure 3). Follow up drilling to test the anomaly identified pyrite and epidote alteration on the margins of basaltic pillow lavas around the interpreted target position in hole 15B4DD002, indicating hydrothermal alteration has occurred in the area. The favourable geological setting and the alteration in the area warrant further investigation to explain the presence of the strong VTEM anomaly.
As a result of the strong unexplained EM conductor, VTEM 13 was covered with a 244 station gravity survey with a detailed 20m by 10m grid (111 stations) directly over the anomaly and a broader 80m by 20m grid (133 stations) over the wider project area (Figure 4).
Figure 3. Aerial photograph showing the modelled EM conductor plates for VTEM 13 and the area of gravity survey
Figure 4. Schematic picture showing the gravity survey for VTEM 13 area
Ghayth
Historical exploration and exploration completed during the 2015 work programme including geology, geophysics and drilling identified a series of prospective anomalies that to date have not been explained (Figure 5). As a result of the strong unexplained EM conductor at Ghayth, the area was covered with a 524 station gravity survey with a detailed 20m by 10m grid (150 stations) directly over the anomaly and a broader 80m by 20m grid (374 stations) over the wider project area (Figure 6).
Figure 5. Aerial photograph showing the modelled EM conductor plates for Ghayth and the area of gravity survey
Figure 6. Schematic picture showing the gravity survey for the Ghayth area
Sarami West
Exploration during the 2015 work programme highlighted a series of high priority EM conductors that were drilled and Savannah identified a strong zone of epidote alteration potentially indicative of VMS mineralisation (Figure 7). As a result of the strong unexplained EM conductor and strong alteration system, Sarami West was covered with a 695 station gravity survey with a detailed 20m by 10m grid (304 stations) directly over the anomaly and a broader 80m by 20m grid (391 stations) over the wider project area (Figure 8).
Figure 7. Aerial photograph showing the modelled EM conductor plates for Sarami West and the area of the gravity survey
Figure 8. Schematic picture showing the gravity survey for Sarami West area
Timeline
See Savannah’s last update “Savannah Resources Plc CEO gives an update about our Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey”
Read the press release PDF “Targeted Gravity Surveys Completed over a Series of High Priority Copper Prospects” here.