Keng
Nickel - Ni
Copper - Cu
PGM Project
1,345 km2
Active
2 licences
Eastport’s Keng project is comprised of two licences that cover 1,345 km2, and which are prospective for copper, nickel, and platinum group metals (PGMs). Keng is situated on an important section of the northern edge of a mafic-ultramafic intrusive, known as the Molopo Farms Complex, and where the licences overlie the contact with “reactive” carbonate rocks. Narrow intervals of veined mineralisation, indicative of metal movements within the system, are reported in the historic drilling data.
The large, multi-lobed Molopo Farms mafic-ultramafic Complex is observed in drill core, and the complex is often cited as being analogous to the Bushveld in South Africa; a significant producer of platinum group elements that attract exploration interest from a wide-range of exploration entities.
Within the Keng licences, the Molopo Farms Complex is uncommonly near vertical dips, with structural features that suggest stacking and folding of thrust sheets, which offer open space opportunities for mineralisation. Significant nickel-in-soil anomalies are found in close proximity to these thrust sheets, providing a target for focused mineralisation. The geologic opportunity is further enhanced through the presence of broad areas of reactive carbonate-rich rocks known to destabilise mineral-rich fluids.
A work programme has been agreed to with the Department of Mines, which will target fault-related Norilsk-Talnakh style massive sulphide feeder systems.
Airborne Spectrem EM Survey
Eastport has completed a comprehensive assessment of historical work that has been undertaken on the Keng licences. The review has shown that previous exploration work focussed on layered metal-rich intrusives unlike Eastport’s target of massive sulphide feeder systems. An initial reprocessing of a smaller focussed airborne survey showed the delineation of the northern edge of the Molopo Farms Complex as steep dipping, with many fault/fold structures that offer opportunities for hosting metal deposits. Detailed geochemical surveys using a handheld XRF device have been undertaken on two historic drillholes. Such data will help to “locate” intersections of the Molopo Farms Complex when logging drill core.
Ultramafic Molopo Farms Complex in reds appear near vertical.
Select historic drill intersections:
0.3m @ 1.25% Ni, 0.97% Cu
0.3m @ 14.6% Ni, 610g/t Ag
Historic Drilling
To date, Eastport has completed reprocessing work on the historic airborne data layers covering the Molopo Farms Complex, which has generated several target areas. Additional processing work is planned for the full project, which will cover further areas of geologic interest. It is anticipated that groundwork will commence in the fourth quarter of 2022. Community work is underway, as are the initial stages of the environmental requirements for exploration and drilling.
Work Programme
Meetings with local authorities and interested parties have been held regarding planned exploration work, and a series of access agreements are in place to ensure uninterrupted work.
The reprocessing of historic work and data is complete, which includes an historic airborne magnetic survey, geochemistry, and drilling and gravity surveys. A large area of interest has been identified.
The first phase of ground geophysical surveys, magnetic, and electromagnetics is planned to be carried out in 2022. The historic drill cores are being acquired from one or more of the high-quality core storage facilities operated by the Botswana Geological Institute (BGI), and will be investigated and resampled as part of the initial work programme.