HIGHLIGHTS
AuKing’s Managing Director, Mr Paul Williams, said that with the strong levels of market interest in the exploration and development of niobium/rare earth elements (REE) the Company was excited to have been able to secure the Myoff Creek project. With the global search for sources of critical minerals in full steam he welcomed the opportunity to immediately commence exploration activities after the completion of the acquisition.
“Myoff Creek is situated in south-eastern British Columbia and has been the subject of exploration activities for 40 years. Previous exploration activities (including drilling programs) have identified a 1.4km by 0.4km area of near-surface Nb-REE bearing carbonatite hosted mineralization. Upon completion of the proposed acquisition of Myoff Creek, AuKing plans to immediately carry out a detailed soil sampling and initial drilling program, based on the historical workings,” Mr Williams said.
Background
Niobium is a vital element used to create nanocrystalline materials, which are a new generation of advanced soft magnetic alloys that are used to control and convert electricity. By adding niobium to the alloys, the materials can have a crystal size of <10 nanometers.
That means high permeability and a high heat tolerance – perfect for making miniature and lightweight materials that advanced technology is increasingly seeking.
Most of the world’s niobium (Nb) production (around 82%) derives from the largely Chinese- owned CBMM mine in Brazil. Just 8% of production comes from outside South America at IAMGOLD Corp’s Niobec mine in Quebec, Canada.
The West Arunta region of eastern Western Australian has also become the focus of a substantial amount of activity largely off the back of WA1’s major 200Mt Luni discovery which has seen that company achieve a share market capitalization of more than $1Bn.
Myoff Creek Project
Strategically located in south-eastern British Columbia, Canada, the Myoff Creek project is situated in South Central Mining Region, well known for mineral extraction and processing. This region is host to some major mining operations including; Teck Resources Limited’s Highland Valley Copper Mine, and Hudbay Minerals Inc’s Copper Mountain Mine.
The nearest township of Seymour Arm, which is accessible by road from the claims, has accommodation and logistical support. Kamloops (pop. 108,000), the major commercial centre for the region, has numerous resources such as equipment and professional services for mining and exploration activities.
British Columbia hosts several significant Niobium / Rare Earth projects including but not limited to, Wicheeda (Defense Metals Corp) with 34.2Mt @ 2% TREO, Blue River (Commerce Resources Corp) with 53Mt @ 1,680 ppm Nb.
Geological Setting
Myoff Creek lies within the Proterozoic (Aphebian) age metamorphic carbonatite belt of the Shuswap Metamorphic Complex, a belt of high-grade and intensely deformed metamorphic and intrusive rocks in the core of the Columbian Orogen in south-eastern British Columbia. This is a known area for Nb-REE-P-Ti bearing carbonatites. The Shuswap Complex, along its eastern margin, is characterized by a series of fault-bounded domal culminations that expose mixed paragneiss, granitic gneiss and migmatite of Paleoproterozoic age.
There are two types of carbonatite recognized in the area. Type I, the intrusive phase (the REN carbonatite) and Type II, the extrusive phase (the Mount Grace carbonatite – MGC).
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