31 May 2024
Thor
Energy plc
("Thor"
or the "Company")
2024 Mineral Resource Estimate
Update Molyhil Project, Northern Territory
Further to the announcement dated
28 May 2024, the Directors of Thor Energy Plc ("Thor") (AIM, ASX:
THR, OTCQB: THORF) are pleased to provide further details on the
updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Molyhil
Tungsten-Molybdenum-Copper Deposit, located in the Northern
Territory (Figure
1).
Highlights:
§ ASX-listed Investigator Resources Limited ("IVR") farming-in
to the Molyhil Project, completed an updated Mineral Resource
Estimate for the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum-Copper
Deposit
§ The
Molyhil Mineral Resource Estimate now comprises 4.65Mt @ 0.26%
WO3 (tungsten trioxide),
and 0.09% Mo (molybdenum) for 12.1kt WO3 and 4.4kt Mo (JORC 2012) (Table A).
§ Verification diamond drilling program has resulted in a
significant improvement in resource
confidence, lifting significant tonnage into the higher Measured
Resource Category.
§ The
Measured Resource Category of the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum
Project improved with a 150% increase in tonnes
and 20% increase in WO3 grade when
compared to the previous Thor 2021 MRE (Table B) (ASX/RNS:
THR 8 April 2021). Contained tungsten metal in the Measured
Resource Category increased by 200% to 3,945 tonnes.
§ The
recent renewal of Northern Territory Major Project status to
Molyhil provides valuable pathways to advance the project towards
production.
§ Thor
currently hold 100% interest in the Molyhil deposit and
tenure.
§ Under
the Heads of Agreement ("HoA") (ASX/RNS 22 November 2022), Stage 1
completion has given IVR the right to a 25% interest in the Molyhil
Project and surrounding exploration tenure, and also a 40% interest
in the adjacent Bonya tenement. IVR can now elect to the transfer
of a 25% interest in the Tenements, and a Joint Venture ("JV") with
Thor will become effective, upon which IVR will issue Thor
$A250,000 in IVR shares, as per the HoA.
Nicole Galloway Warland,
Managing Director of Thor Energy, commented:
"The targeted 12-hole diamond drilling program completed by
IVR in December 2023, along with QAQC validation of historic data,
has provided a strong level of increased resource confidence,
lifting tonnage and increased tungsten grade to the higher Measured
Resource category. This is a positive result for the Project, and
along with strong tungsten and molybdenum prices, it will be
valuable for the scoping study assessment to be undertaken by IVR
early in the second half of 2024.
Based on the HoA, IVR is now entitled to a 25% interest in
the Project and surrounding tenure, as such Thor is looking forward
to working with IVR to complete all documentation to effect the
transfer and form a JV."
The updated Mineral Resource
Estimate (MRE) for the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum Project is shown
in Table A below. A cut-off
grade of 0.05% WO3 was selected, which is considered appropriate
when taking into account current commodity price strength and peer
reporting comparisons. The MRE is reported to a 150mRL and based on
an open pit mining scenario.
Table A: Updated Molyhil
Resource Estimate, reported at cut-off grade of 0.05%
WO3 Tungsten as of 28
May 2024.
Notes:
1. 0.05% Cut-off
2. MRE reported to 150m
RL
3. Based on Open Pit mining
scenario
4. MRE was completed by Luke
Burlet, Director H&S Consultants Pty Ltd
5. Variability of summation
may occur due to rounding to appropriate level of significant
figures.
Figure 1:
Tenement & Prospect Location Plan
2024 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE
AND REPORTING CRITERIA
Introduction
The Molyhil
tungsten-molybdenum-copper deposit is 100% owned by Thor and is
located 220km north-east of Alice Springs (320km by road) within
the prospective polymetallic province of the Proterozoic Eastern
Arunta Block in the Northern Territory (Figure 1).
The deposit consists of two
adjacent outcropping magnetite skarn bodies, the northern 'Yacht
Club' lode and the 'Southern' lode (Figure 2). Both lodes are marginal to a
granite intrusion (Marshall Granite) and Paleoproterozoic
meta-carbonate rocks (Deep Bore Metamorphics).
Mineralisation occurs as massive
and disseminated scheelite (CaWO4) powellite (CaMoO4), molybdenite (MoS2) and
chalcopyrite (CuS2) within the skarn unit.
Both the outlines of the lodes and the banding within the
lodes strike approximately north, plunging steeply to the
south and dip steeply to the east. Mineralisation remains open at
depth.
Thor executed an A$8m Farm-in and
Funding Agreement through a HoA with Investigator Resources Limited
operating as Fram Ltd (Fram) (ASX: IVR) to accelerate exploration
at the Molyhil Project on 24 November 2022 and the sale of Thor's
interest in the Bonya tenement (EL29701) (ASX/AIM: 24 November
2022). Under the HoA (ASX/RNS 22 November 2022), Stage 1
expenditure of $1M completion has given IVR the right to a 25%
interest in the Molyhil Project and surrounding exploration tenure,
and also a 40% interest in the adjacent Bonya tenement. IVR can now
elect to the transfer of a 25% interest in the Tenements, and a
Joint Venture ("JV") with Thor will become effective upon which IVR
will issue Thor $A250,000 in IVR shares, as per the HoA.
On entering the Heads of Agreement
with Thor in 2022, Investigator engaged independent resource
consulting group H&S Consultants Pty Ltd ("HSC") to assist with
a gap analysis of the Molyhil Mineral Resource Estimate reported by
Thor in 2021. This identified both opportunities to improve
confidence in the MRE classification and exploit some areas of the
resource with targeted drilling.
Investigator, in conjunction with
HSC, devised a program of drilling aimed at Quality
Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) verification of the pre-existing
data, via selective twinning of historic Reverse Circulation (RC)
and Diamond Drill (DD) holes and confirmatory drilling in areas of
lower drill density. This drill program of 12 diamond holes
(totalling 1,501 metres) was completed in December 2023.
Significant intersections from this drill program are included in
Appendix 4
Data from historic drilling, in
addition to Investigator's newly acquired data, was provided to HSC
to be utilised by HSC to independently prepare the updated Molyhil
MRE (Appendix
2).
Mineral Resource Estimate
HSC, following their due diligence
review, recommended the use of Multiple Indicator Kriging (MIK) as
a more appropriate method of estimation for modelling the
heterogeneous style of the Molyhil tungsten and molybdenum
mineralisation.
The tungsten and molybdenum
resources were estimated by MIK method and are reported using
E-type panel estimates above tungsten cut-off grades. The copper
resource estimate has been reported utilising Ordinary Kriging (OK)
methodology.
Estimates of resources are
reported at a range of tungsten cut-off grades for open pit mining
selectivity at practical block dimensions of 10m x 5m x 10m (length
x width x depth).
Given the near surface nature and
geometry of the Molyhil mineralisation, the MRE has been undertaken
on the assumption that the deposit would be mined using open pit
methods and HSC has modelled and classified the resource
accordingly.
Acknowledging the improved
tungsten and molybdenum prices and the cut-off grades adopted in
peer open- cut projects, coupled with the potential recovery
improvements identified in the ore sorting study completed
by Thor in 2021, this updated MRE is reported at
a 0.05% WO3 cut-off grade to the 150mRL
level (a depth of 260m below surface. 50m deeper than Thors
2021 MRE -Table B).
Investigator considers that these parameters support a resource of
which there is reasonable prospect of eventual economic
extraction.
In comparison, Thor's Mineral
Resource Estimate in 2021 (Table
B), utilising Mixed Support Kriging used a 0.07%
WO3 cut-off grade to the
200mRL level (a depth of 210m) (as reported to the ASX on 8 April
2021).
Table A: Updated Molyhil
Resource Estimate by Investigator, as of 28 May 2024reported at cut-off grade of
0.05% WO3 Tungsten to
150mRL.
Notes:
1. Cut-off of 0.05% WO3
2. 100% owned by Thor Energy
Plc
3. Variability of summation may occur
due to rounding to appropriate level of significant figures.
4. To satisfy the criteria of
reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, the Mineral
Resources have been reported down to 150m RL which defines material
that could be potentially extracted using open pit mining
methods.
Table B: Molyhil Mineral
Resource Estimate by Thor as of March 31 2021, reported at a cutoff
grade of 0.07% WO3 Tungsten to 200m RL.
Note:
1. 0.07% WO3 Cut-off
2. Figures are rounded to reflect appropriate
level of confidence.
3. Apparent differences may occur due to
rounding.
4. 100% owned by Thor Energy Plc
5. To satisfy the criteria of reasonable
prospects for eventual economic extraction, the Mineral Resources
have been reported down to 200m RL which defines material that
could be potentially extracted using open pit mining
methods.
Classification
The updated Molyhil MRE for
tungsten, molybdenum and copper has been classified as Measured,
Indicated and Inferred by HSC (Figure 3). The main mineralised domains
have demonstrated sufficient continuity in both geology and grade
continuity to support the definition of a Mineral Resource, and the
classifications applied under the 2012 JORC Code.
Estimates for mineralisation
within the main mineralised Lodes are tested by drilling spaced
nominally at 25m x 25m in the more well-defined areas of the
deposit, reducing to 5m to 15m spacing within selected parts of the
skarn where recent drilling by Investigator twinned older RC and DD
holes to validate historic grades.
Confidence categories assigned to
the estimates reflect qualitative panel criteria established by the
resource consultant, including but not limited to, number of
drillholes, number of samples, QA/QC (surveys, standards,
duplicates etc.) within each individual panel of the block
model.
HSC was supplied sufficient
information to support the utilisation of the reported cut-off
grade (0.05% WO3), and lower depth of the MRE (150mRL), and HSC is
satisfied with the assumptions and supportive information provided,
including metal price improvements, improvements in potential
processing options and taking into consideration improved
confidence in the resource classification.
Domains
The deposit in hosted
predominantly within two adjacent magnetite skarn bodies that
overprint meta-carbonate units of the Deep Bore Metamorphics (1805
± 7 million years ago, Ma), the skarn is proximal to Marshall
Granite intrusions (1780-1710 Ma) and outcrops at surface. Main
logged units at the deposit are magnetite skarn, calc- silicate and
granite, additional minor lithologies include aplite dykes, quartz
veins and fluorite/barite veins.
A nominal cut-off grade of 10-15%
Fe2O3
was used to define the MREs constraining
wireframe of the two main skarn zones, the Yacht Club Lode
and Southern Lode (Figure
2).
Data
The compiled drill hole database
supplied to HSC by Investigator, supported by QA/QC reporting
documentation, comprises information from 121 drill holes (89
reverse circulation and 32 diamond drill holes) for an aggregate
total of 17,396m of drilling. Rotary Air Blast holes and other
drilling prior to 2004 were used to inform the geological modelling
however assays from these sources were excluded from the up-dated
MRE due to insufficient QA/QC support.
Additionally, 3 shafts and 3
underground crosscuts for a total development length of 198m were
completed in 2005 and verified geological and assay data from this
source was utilised as part of this current MRE. These underground
workings had been developed to resolve differences between costean
bulk sampling, which supported historical mined grades, and
historic RC drill hole grades.
One (1) newly drilled DD hole was
designed to pass in close proximity to the northern cross-cut drive
to assess grade continuity. The results verified the previously
sampled and reported grades observed in the cross-cut, and in
addition to the thorough assessment of methodology and QA/QC
undertaken for the underground workings, HSC and Investigator
considered this data to be of sufficient quality for inclusion into
the updated MRE.
Drill holes within the main
mineralised lodes are predominantly inclined RC and DD holes,
drilled in a westerly orientation to intersect the north-south
striking mineralised lodes. A small number of holes (4 in 2004, 1
in 2021 and 2 in 2019) were drilled in alternate orientations to
assess the mineralisation distribution.
A plan view showing the
distribution of drilling over the Molyhil deposit (including the
IVR 2023 drilling), in relation to mineralisation constraining
wireframes (Southern and Yacht Club Lodes) is shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Collar plan showing
location of the 12 new diamond drill holes (yellow dots) informing
the updated MRE, with historic holes coloured by drill type. The
two transparent wireframes display the plan view footprint of
mineralised Lodes.
Figure 3 illustrates the
updated Molyhil MRE block model for the two mineralised Lodes
(Southern and Yacht Club), with panels coloured by resource
classification.
Figure 3: Updated MRE
classification block model, (orange = Measured, yellow = Indicated,
& blues = Inferred). Blocks below the 150m plane on this figure
are not reported as part of the updated MRE.
Twin hole comparison from the 2023
(Investigator) drill program to Thors earlier drilling
(Table C), showed broad
lithological and grade continuity in all elements, however
mineralisation was seen to extend beyond the historical skarn
wireframe, likely due to the expanded sampling regime adopted by
Investigator sampling 10m into the granite, compared with the
historic sampling which was restricted to the mineralised skarn.
Despite the good correlation with copper and molybdenum, tungsten
displays greater variability, and was generally higher grade in
Investigator's recently drilled diamond holes.
Table C: List of Downhole
Twin Comparison study -comparing mineralisation from 2023 drilling
(IVR) to earlier Thor drilling.
2023 Drilling (IVR)
|
Historic Drilling
(THOR)
|
IVRMHDD001
|
MHDD068
|
IVRMHDD007
|
MHDD073
|
IVRMHDD006
|
TMRC010
|
IVRMHDD005
|
07MHRC004
|
IVRMHDD011
|
TMRC015
|
Densities
Rock density was highlighted as an
opportunity to improve on previous resource estimations. Dry bulk
density measurements for prior MREs were estimated utilising a
linear (Y on X) iron (Fe) regression calculation to assign density
to each sample using specific gravity from a total of 69 RC
Pycnometer samples analysed from 2 holes only (1 each from Yacht
Club and Southern Lodes, spaced 90m apart).
For the updated MRE, dry bulk
densities were assigned to each sample within the mineralised lode
wireframes, allowing both the metals
(WO3/Mo/Cu/Fe) and density to be modelled
at the same search criteria. HSC recommended the use of an
alternate regression method - Reduced Major Axis, which takes into
account the 'error' in both variables (Fe and density) and is
considered better suited for this type of deposit. The iron
regression was used to populate density for each sample within the
model but honoured actual field measurements where
present.
A sensitivity analysis was
undertaken, whereby the density model was run an additional four
times using three alternate regression methods and using raw data
alone. The results of all methods were similar, providing
confidence in the model, which supported the uplift in tonnes in
the Measured classification, where the majority of drilling and
density data was available.
A section view showing the
resource estimate classification block model defining the two
mineralised lodes, downhole geology for some of the 2023 drilling,
and simplified geology in the background of image is shown in
Figure 4.
Figure 4: Cross-section
within Molyhil deposit showing summarised geology, 2023 drillholes
and updated resource classification block model. (Hole IVRMHDD007)
is drilled oblique and does not terminate on section) (sourced from IVR ASX 28 May
2024).
Appendix 1 contains "Table 1:
Assessment and Reporting Criteria Table Mineral Resource - JORC
2012", which provides additional detail on the exploration data and
updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Molyhil Tungsten
Project
Appendix 2 -
Appendix 4
contains Drill hole
Collar information for MRE including
IVR 2023 Diamond
Drill Collars.
MINING AND METALLURGICAL WORK AND
OTHER MATERIAL FACTORS
The Molyhil Deposit occurs in two
adjacent skarn bodies that contain outcropping molybdenite and
scheelite mineralisation. Since mid-2004 it has been the subject of
systematic test work comprising geophysical exploration, diamond
and RC drilling programmes, surface and underground bulk sampling,
metallurgical test work and a geotechnical study.
With the improved tungsten and
molybdenum prices and the cut-off grades adopted in peer open-cut
projects, coupled with the potential recovery improvements
identified in the Tomra ore sorting study completed by Thor
in 2021, this updated MRE is reported at a 0.05%
WO3 cut-off grade to the 150mRL level (a
depth of 260m below surface).
It is considered that these
parameters, along with the near surface nature and geometry of the
Molyhil mineralisation, that the MRE has been undertaken on the
assumption that the deposit would be mined using open pit methods
and HSC has modelled and classified the resource
accordingly.
MARKET OUTLOOK
Tungsten
The majority of tungsten resources
are located in China, Canada, Russia and the United States, with
the main consumer of tungsten China (about 50% of global tungsten
demand), followed by the USA and Europe.
The outstanding and unique
physical properties of tungsten (melting point/hardness/tensile
strength) and lack of substitutes makes tungsten critical in
industrial, oil & gas, mining and agricultural applications and
as such is considered a strategic commodity in the USA, China &
the European Union.
The global tungsten market is
anticipated to rise steadily with surging demand for alloy in
various end user industries, including defence, electronics,
automotive, mining, and petrochemical industries. With China
dominating production (approximately 83% of the world's primary
production) supply risk and domestic security is adding to demand
from the United States and allied countries.
On 27 May 2024, Argus Media
indicate that the Tungsten APT Price CIF Rotterdam has increased to
US$365-$370/mtu (metric tonne
unit). See Figure 5 for 5 year price trend
Figure 5:
5 Year
Price Chart
for Tungsten
($/MTU WO3
- EU LOW). Data sourced
from Fastmarkets
Metal Bulletin
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a key component of
many of the higher quality stainless steels essential for
construction, transportation and energy sector, along with nickel,
and can be substituted for a portion of the nickel component when
nickel prices are elevated. In consequence, when nickel prices
climb, often molybdenum pricing will follow.
The rising demand for steel alloy
and molybdenum growth is associated with developing countries as a
result of increasing residential and commercial
construction.
Much of global molybdenum supply
is as co-product from several large porphyry copper mining
operations. Supply, therefore, can be somewhat non-elastic with
over-supply in times where demand is weak, and conversely
under-supply when demand is high. See Figure 6 for 5year price
trend.
Figure 6: 5 Year Price Chart
for Molybdenum (USD/Metric ton). Data sourced from
ycharts.com
The Board of Thor Energy PLC has
approved this announcement and authorised its release.
For further information, please
contact:
Thor Energy PLC
Nicole Galloway Warland, Managing
Director
Ray Ridge, CFO / Company
Secretary
|
Tel: +61 (8) 7324
1935
Tel: +61 (8) 7324 1935
|
WH Ireland Limited
(Nominated Adviser and Joint
Broker)
Antonio Bossi / Darshan Patel /
Isaac Hooper
|
Tel: +44 (0) 207 220
1666
|
SI Capital Limited
(Joint Broker)
Nick Emerson
|
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413
500
|
Yellow Jersey
(Financial PR)
Sarah Hollins / Shivantha
Thambirajah / Bessie Elliot
|
thor@yellowjerseypr.com
|
Competent Person's
Report
The information in this announcement relating to exploration
results, information informing Mineral Resources and the reasonable
prospects of eventual economic extraction of Mineral Resources is
based on information compiled by Mr. Andrew Alesci who is a
full-time employee of the Investigator Resources Limited. Mr.
Alesci is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
Mr. Alesci has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of
mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and
to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as
defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee
(JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr. Alesci consents to the
inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the
form and context in which it appears.
The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral
Resource estimation is based on information compiled by Mr Luke
Burlet, who is a Member of The Australian Institute of
Geoscientists. Mr Burlet is a director of H&S Consultants Pty
Limited and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the
style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and
to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for
Reporting Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves".
Mr Burlet consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters
based on his information in the form and context in which it
appears.
Updates on the Company's
activities are regularly posted on Thor's
website which includes a facility to
register
to receive these updates by email,
and on the Company's X page @thorenergyplc
About Thor Energy Plc
The Company is focused on uranium
and energy metals that are crucial in the shift to a 'green' energy
economy. Thor has a number of highly prospective projects that give
shareholders exposure to uranium, nickel, copper, lithium and gold.
Our projects are located in Australia and the USA.
Thor holds 100% interest in three
uranium and vanadium projects (Wedding Bell, Radium Mountain and
Vanadium King) in the Uravan Belt in Colorado and Utah, USA with
historical high-grade uranium and vanadium drilling and production
results.
At Alford East in South Australia,
Thor has earnt an 80% interest in oxide copper deposits considered
amenable to extraction via In Situ Recovery techniques (ISR). In
January 2021, Thor announced an Inferred Mineral Resource
Estimate¹.
Thor also holds a 26.3% interest
in Australian copper development company EnviroCopper Limited
(ECL), which in turn holds rights to earn up to a 75% interest in
the mineral rights and claims over the resource on the portion of
the historic Kapunda copper mine and the Alford West copper
project, both situated in South Australia, and both considered
amenable to recovery by way of ISR.²³ Alligator Energy recently invested
A$0.9M for a 7.8% interest in ECL with the rights to gain a 50.1%
interest by investing a further A$10.1m over four years.
Thor holds 100% of the advanced
Molyhil tungsten project, including measured, indicated and
inferred resources⁴, in the
Northern Territory of Australia, which was awarded Major Project
Status by the Northern Territory government in July 2020. Thor
executed a A$8m Farm-in and Funding Agreement with Investigator
Resources Limited (ASX: IVR) to accelerate exploration at the
Molyhil Project on 24 November 2022.6
Adjacent to Molyhil, at Bonya,
Thor holds a 40% interest in deposits of tungsten, copper, and
vanadium, including Inferred resource estimates for the Bonya
copper deposit, and the White Violet and Samarkand tungsten
deposits. ⁵ Thor's interest
in the Bonya tenement EL29701 is planned to be divested as part of
the Farm-in and Funding agreement with Investigator Resources
Limited.6
Thor owns 100% of the Ragged Range
Project, comprising 92 km2 of exploration licences with
highly encouraging early-stage gold and nickel results in the
Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Notes
1 https://thorenergyplc.com/investor-updates/maiden-copper-gold-mineral-resource-estimate-alford-east-
copper-gold-isr-project/
2
www.thorenergyplc.com/sites/thormining/media/pdf/asx-announcements/20172018/20180222-
clarification-kapunda-copper-resource-estimate.pdf
³
www.thorenergyplc.com/sites/thormining/media/aim-report/20190815-initial-copper-resource-estimate---
moonta-project---rns---london-stock-exchange.pdf
4
https://thorenergyplc.com/investor-updates/molyhil-project-mineral-resource-estimate-updated/
5
www.thorenergyplc.com/sites/thormining/media/pdf/asx-announcements/20200129-mineral-resource-
estimates---bonya-tungsten--copper.pdf
6
https://thorenergyplc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/20221124-8M-Farm-in-Funding-Agreement.pdf
The Company notes that for the
relevant market announcements noted above, that it is not aware of
any new information or data that materially affects this
information and that all material assumptions and technical
parameters underpinning any estimates continue to apply and have
not materially changed.