14th Jun 2011 07:00
Sable Mining Africa Ltd/ Index: AIM / Epic: SBLM / Sector: Natural Resources
14 June 2011
Sable Mining Africa Limited ('Sable Mining' or 'the Company')
Acquires interest in Mount Kakoulima Exploration Permit
Sable Mining Africa Limited, the AIM listed resource company, has, through its 80% owned subsidiary Guinea Mataux de Bases SA, acquired a new 298 sq km exploration permit on the Mount Kakoulima mafic-ultramafic igneous intrusive, approximately 50km north-east of Conakry, Guinea ('the Permit'), which is prospective for nickel ('Ni'), copper ('Cu'), cobalt ('Co'), chromium ('Cr') and platinum group elements ('PGE').
World class Ni-PGE orebodies typically occur at the base of mafic-ultramafic igneous complexes and Mount Kakoulima is one of the world's few remaining large scale areas that have yet to be exploited in this context. The Mount Kakoulima permit was explored by TSX listed SEMAFO Inc. ('SEMAFO'), from 1996 to 98 and by Rio Tinto between 1999 and 2001, with both focussing on a narrow high grade Ni-Cu-Co-PGE intersection in an upper gabbro/pyroxenite horizon. This resulted in the delineation of an approximately 0.8m thick massive sulphide horizon of axial dimensions 100m x 100m with weighted average grades of 2.78% Ni and 0.86% Cu.
The nickel laterite potential of the Permit was also explored by SEMAFO which demonstrated Ni grades of approximately 0.5%. The Cr content was also analysed which highlighted supergene/hypergene enrichment of Cr in the laterites overlying the pyroxenitic rocks with enriched horizons of 10-20m thick containing average grades of 1.5% Cr up to 4.0% Cr. Early analysis by the Centre de Recherche Minerale de Quebec, on behalf of SEMAFO, suggested that the chromite mineralisation is of good quality in the form of well-developed crystals greater than 100 microns and that the Cr/Fe ratio is greater than 1.
Sable Mining CEO Andrew Groves said, "Mount Kakoulima represents a significant underexplored mafic-ultramafic igneous complex, which has demonstrated prospectivity for nickel, copper and chromite. Importantly, the site is strategically located in close proximity to established road and rail infrastructure and is only some 50km from the port of Conakry.
"In order to better define the scope and style of mineralisation at Mount Kakoulima, we intend to commence a soil sampling programme in addition to a geophysical survey, including an airborne electromagnetic survey, to generate targets ahead of a follow-up drill programme."
** ENDS **
For further information please visit www.sablemining.com or contact:
Andrew Groves | Sable Mining Africa Ltd | Tel: 020 7408 9200 |
Jonathan Wright | Seymour Pierce Ltd | Tel: 020 7107 8000 |
David Foreman | Seymour Pierce Ltd | Tel: 020 7107 8000 |
Robin Henshall | Matrix Corporate Capital | Tel: 020 3206 7000 |
Nick Stone | Matrix Corporate Capital | Tel: 020 3206 7000 |
Richard Greenfield | GMP Securities | Tel: 020 7647 2836 |
Hugo de Salis | St Brides Media & Finance Ltd | Tel: 020 7236 1177 |
Susie Geliher | St Brides Media & Finance Ltd | Tel: 020 7236 1177 |
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