Australian junior Metals of Africa (MTA) has reported encouraging results at both its Mozambique projects. These are the Montepuez Graphite project, in Cabo Delgado province, and the Rio Mazoe (including Changara) base metals project, in Tete province. The company also has projects in Tanzania.

Regarding Montepuez, MTA announced that reconnaissance exploration had resulted in the discovery of outcropping graphite mineralisation. It stated that “numerous surface occurrences of graphite mineralisation” had been identified during its first-phase exploration programme. This initial phase included geological mapping and reconnaissance traverses to provide confirmation of interpretations of the regional geology.

“The company is highly encouraged by these results, and has identified a large area (>10 km strike length) believed to be prospective for graphite-bearing lithologies,” stated MTA in a report released on July 18. “These initial exploration results have provided the company with sufficient optimism to proceed with the next phase of graphite exploration at the project.”

Sixteen graphite-bearing rock samples have been sent for laboratory analysis and the results are expected to become available by the middle or later part of next month. They will be released as soon as they are available. A large target area has been defined, most of it under only thin sand cover. The next stage will be an electromagnetic (EM) survey, set to begin next month. This will define drill targets in the project area.

“The Cabo Delgado district is shaping up to be the world’s richest province of graphite and vanadium,” noted MTA executive director Cherie Leeden in the report. “The fact that we have outcropping graphitic geology within our tenure is extremely encouraging. “We will now move to rapidly advance this project via conducting an EM survey which will be followed by drilling, providing the EM [survey] proves extensive continuation of the graphitic units under the thin sand veneer that’s present at the surface.”

This news followed hot on the heels of MTA’s announcement of the identification of three new-high priority targets in the Changara zinc/copper/lead project. Falling within the larger Rio Mazoe zinc/copper/lead project area, Changara is a joint venture with Baobab Resources, whereas Montepuez is a 100% MTA project. The new targets were identified as a result of combining detailed geological mapping with interpretations of sets of geological, geophysical and geochemical data.

In the entire Rio Mazoe project area, 39 prospects have been identified. The three new ones –designated Cassidy Shea (previously known as T2), Rhodonite Hill and Downeaster – are among the highest ranked of these targets.

Cassidy Shea is a “very large” zinc/copper prospect which has delivered spot grades of up to 11.9% copper and 5.1% zinc, which, the company said in its report, “demonstrates its strong mineralised potential”. A work programme for Cassidy Shea has been drawn up to advance its exploration. This programme includes mapping, ground geophysics and infill soil sampling and is intended to identify shallow drill targets for exploitation later this year.

Rhodonite Hill is a “large” lead and zinc anomaly. It is composed of Broken Hill-type alteration outcrops with grades reaching 14.4% lead at the surface, with a strike length of more than 2 km. “Ground geophysics and mapping have been proposed over the anomaly to define drill targets,” stated MTA.

Downeaster has a length of 1.4 km and is a copper anomaly with associated lead and zinc. In-soil maximum values recorded so far are – copper: 2 018 parts per million (ppm – 1 ppm equals 1 g per metric ton); lead: 437 ppm; and zinc: 1 753 ppm. The company also gives the spot high grade for zinc as 28.7%. The company will carry out additional infill soil sampling to further define Downeaster’s potential and possibly identify drill targets.

“The results of this work provide the company with what it views as compelling optimism for the discovery of a major zinc/copper/lead deposit in the extensive tenement holding,” affirmed MTA. As for the remaining 36 targets in the Rio Mazoe project, reconnaissance exploration continues on them.