Tasman drilling update from Norra Karr REE project, Sweden
Tasman Metals Ltd. Mr Mark Saxon, President and CEO, provides an update on developments regarding the Company’s 100% owned Norra Karr Rare Earth Element (REE) project. The drill program currently underway is nearing its conclusion with approximately 80 per cent of the program completed. In addition, a collaborative research project has been initiated, under the guidance of renowned REE expert Dr Tony Mariano.
The Norra Karr project is located in southern Sweden, 300km SW of the capital Stockholm in mixed farming and forestry land. The site is well serviced by power, water and roads that allow all year round access, plus a local skilled community. Norra Karr is a peralkaline nepheline syenite intrusion that shows geological similarity to REE/Zirconium (Zr)/Niobium (Nb) mines of the Lovozero province (Russia) and advanced projects at Kipawa Lake (Ontario), Strange Lake (Quebec) and Dubbo (Australia).
The program underway comprises approximately 2,000m of drilling to test the three-dimensional REE grade distribution throughout Norra Karr, provide data for resource calculations and suitable core sample for metallurgical test work. Thirteen drill holes for a total of 1,730 metres have now been completed, with holes drilled at 80m spacing along three sections to determine the lateral extent of the nepheline syenite. Two infill holes at 40m spacing are planned to complete the program. Drilling has slowed due to unseasonably cold weather and is anticipated to conclude in early March 2010.
All 13 holes intersected the REE-bearing nepheline syenite intrusion, typically to the 100m vertical drill depth being tested by this program. The local rock type “grennaite” is the dominant unit intersected, a fine grained rock consisting of alkali feldspar, nepheline, aegirine, eudialyte and catapleite. Regular intervals of coarser grained pegmatite with eudialyte have also been located. Most of the drill core has now been split and has been submitted to an analytical laboratory for assay. Assay results from the first drill holes are expected to be available during early March.
In order to gain greater insight into the geology and REE/Zr potential of Norra Karr, Tasman has initiated a collaborative research project with the Ore Geology Division of the Lulea University of Technology, Sweden. This project will study the distribution of REE’s within minerals and the distribution of these minerals throughout the Norra Karr intrusion to aid future metallurgical research. This project will be assisted by Dr Tony Mariano, whose broad experience in similar REE-bearing geological environments will enable relevant mineralogical data to be recorded and interpreted quickly and effectively. Dr Mariano has nearly 50 years experience in the study and discovery of REE’s across more than 50 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe and is a widely published and renowned expert in the REE field. Dr Mariano is currently actively contributing to the research and exploration of numerous advanced REE projects, including Bear Lodge, Bokan Mountain and Kipwa Lake.
Mr Saxon states, “With the wealth of new data being generated from the Norra Karr drilling program, we feel it is an appropriate time to partner with a technical institution to learn more about the REE and Zr distribution. By drawing on the expertise of Dr Tony Mariano, Tasman will be well placed to move the Norra Kärr project to the next stage.”
Sweden is the home of REE’s, many of which were first discovered in a quarry in the village of Ytterby, near Stockholm. REE consumption is growing, being essential in the production of hybrid/electric cars, solar panels, wind turbines, compact fluorescent lighting, high-energy magnets, mobile phones and computers. Tasman is well placed as the European Union is actively supporting policies to promote the domestic supply of REE’s to secure high-tech industry.
Tasman Metals Ltd will be represented at the annual PDAC conference held in Toronto from the 7th – 10th of March. Feel free to visit the Company at booth 2937.
