Skip to main content

AI assistant

Sign in to chat with this filing

The assistant answers questions, extracts KPIs, and summarises risk factors directly from the filing text.

IMAGE RESOURCES NL Interim / Quarterly Report 2008

Apr 29, 2008

65117_rns_2008-04-29_d7764245-aaa9-48c5-8fff-0fc547afd544.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

Open in viewer

Opens in your device viewer

QUARTERLY REPORT For the Quarter Ended 31 March 2008

==> picture [91 x 102] intentionally omitted <==

___________

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Multiple heavy mineral (HM) strands identified at Helene (previously named Target 2) at Cooljarloo North with 4 main strandlines and 3 minor strands over the 4.5km strike of the project.

  • Completion of acquisition of the Bidaminna heavy mineral resource (44Mt @ 3%HM) in the North Perth Basin

  • Large (18km-long) new HM target identified on recently granted tenement at Bidaminna, increasing the cumulative target length to 62km.

  • A comprehensive review of the magnetic database for the North Perth Basin has identified 108 targets over a total strike length of 247km that remain to be drilled, significantly increasing the scope of this major mineral sands project.

  • Image’s North Perth Basin tenement holdings increased to 2090 square kilometres.

  • Significant phosphate potential identified in the Dandaragan Trough north of Perth with 3 of 9 recorded outcropping phosphate occurrences situated on Image tenements.

  • Emu Nickel spin-off successfully launched, raising $10million.

NORTH PERTH BASIN MINERAL SANDS

Work within the basin for the period consisted of a review of magnetic data, drilling at Cooljarloo North, magnetometer surveying and continuation of resource estimation.

MAGNETIC DATA REVIEW

A comprehensive reinterpretation of Image’s existing ground magnetic data and of recently completed ground magnetic surveys in the North Perth Basin has highlighted a major increase in cumulative target length from 120km to 247km. These magnetic anomalies comprise a combination of both strand and channel style targets. Significantly, ground magnetic surveys using Image’s magnetic mapping technique have been completed on only 659sq km (32%) of Image’s 2,090sq km of tenements as shown in Figure 1. The magnetometer surveying progress is summarised in Table 1, which also summarises the tenement status.

==> picture [301 x 427] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 1 Ground Magnetic Target Summary

2

Table 1 Progress of Ground Magnetometer Surveys

Tenement Status Image
Interest
%
Tenement Name Project Area (ha) Magnetics
Completed
%
Area
Surveyed
(ha)
Area
Remaining
to be
Surveyed
(ha)
E70/2844 Live 100% Bidaminna Nth Bidaminna 10,594 74% 7,808 2,786
E70/2845 Pending 100% Bidaminna Nth Bidaminna 6,170 7% 435 5,735
E70/3086 Pending 100% Blackboy Downs Bidaminna 2,356 39% 920 1,436
E70/3298 Pending 100% Bidaminna Bidaminna 1,176 0% - 1,176
E70/3359 Pending 100% Nabaroo Bidaminna 1,176 50% 588 588
E70/3362 Pending 100% Regan’s Ford Regan’s Ford 6,182 15% 949 5,233
E70/2825 Live 100% Lake Spade Bidaminna Sth 5,467 58% 3,144 2,323
P70/1490 Live 100% Bidaminna Sth Bidaminna Sth 194 - 194
E70/3192 Pending 100% Bootine Bootine 19,971 42% 8,388 11,583
E70/3068 Pending 100% Cataby West Cataby West 4,173 80% 3,338 835
E70/2636 Live 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 5,120 86% 4,385 735
E70/2898 Live 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 2,422 100% 2,422 -
P70/1502 Live 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 153 100% 153 -
P70/1516 Live 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 41 0% - 41
P70/1520 Pending 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 134 100% 134 -
P70/1521 Pending 70% Cooljarloo Cooljarloo JV 141 50% 70 70
E70/2892 Live 100% Cadda Spring Cooljarloo Nth 2,665 100% 2,665 -
E70/3328 Pending 100% Verne Hill Cooljarloo Nth 296 100% 296 -
P70/1540 Pending 100% Cadda Springs Cooljarloo Nth 20 0% - 20
P70/1541 Pending 100% Cadda Springs Cooljarloo Nth 20 100% 20 -
E70/3032 Pending 100% Lake Muckenburra Gingin 12,018 4% 92 11,526
E70/3339 Pending 100% Jurien North Jurien 2,373 0% - 2,373
E70/3033 Pending 100% McKinley McKinley 9,365 45% 4,209 5,156
E70/3421 Pending 100% Wayloo Hill Quinns Hill 1,882 0% - 1,882
E70/3092
E70/3100
Pending 100% Cowalla Cowalla 46,279 11% 5,189 41,090
Pending 100% Quinns Hill Quinns Hill 48,974 33% 16,161 32,812
E70/3093 Pending 100% Wannamal Wannamal 19,993 21% 4,198 15,794
Total 209,356 65,966 143,390

3

The number of targets within each project area is summarised in Table 2. It should be noted that a target zone may comprise more than one magnetic anomaly. In these cases, the multiple anomalies are in close enough proximity to be considered a single target.

Table 2 Ground Magnetic Targets by Project Area

Project Number of
Tenements
Number
of
Magnetic
targets
Magnetic
target
length
km
Number
of
targets
drilled
Remaining
Magnetic
targets to
be drilled
Magnetic
target
length
drilled
km
Remaining
Magnetic
target
length
km
Bidaminna 5 19 62.2 1 18 6 56.2
Bidaminna Sth 2 7 19 2 5 3 16
Bootine 1 19 38.7 0 19 0 38.7
Cataby West 1 12 20.9 0 12 0 20.9
Cooljarloo 6 21 57 6 15 13 44
Cooljarloo Nth 4 8 21 4 4 12 9
Cowalla 1 0 0 0
Gingin 1 6 8.6 0 6 8.6
Jurien 1 0 0 0
McKinley 1 23 38 0 23 38
Quinns Hill 1 0 0 0
Wannamal 1 2 7.5 0 2 0 7.5
Regan’s Ford 1 4 8.2 4 8.2
Total 26 121 281 13 108 34 247

It is relevant to point out that to date Image has delineated an aggregate strike length of some 34km of mineralised strands, largely focussed on drilling of ground magnetic targets. Based on these results it is anticipated that a significant proportion of the 247km of targets identified in the review are likely to convert to resources when they are drilled. The new targets are planned to be drilled after grant of tenements, completion of land access agreements and, in some cases, completion of heritage surveys and environmental permitting. Initially scout drilling will be carried out to verify the validity of each of the targets prior to infill drilling to define resources.

RESOURCE ESTIMATION AND SCOPING STUDY

A preliminary estimate of the resources defined by Image’s drilling to date is currently being finalised and expected to be released in early May. The estimate will cover parts of the Cooljarloo and Cooljarloo North project areas but will not be comprehensive as access agreements to some areas still remain to be finalised. The resource areas only comprise a very small part of Image’s North Perth Basin project (approximately 11% of the targets identified to date) indicating the extensive potential of this project.

4

In addition, Image is preparing to undertake a scoping study to analyse the feasibility and potential mining options for its defined heavy mineral resources. The study will be aimed at undertaking a broad study of the likely feasibility of the Cooljarloo JV and Cooljarloo North projects considering each sub project area within them separately and together as a whole. The study will provide preliminary estimates of NPV, and consider internal and external factors.

COOLJARLOO NORTH (Image 100%)

During the quarter 456 holes were drilled for a total of 11,308 metres. Table 3 summarises the drilling by target. Target 2 has been re-named Helene to reflect its resource status. Most of the drilling is infill of mineralisation at Helene and Hyperion. The balance of the drilling was testing of magnetic targets. Targets 3 and 7 show the most promise, but continuity of mineralisation is not yet firm enough to warrant resource estimation. Further work is planned on these targets to follow up the mineralisation discovered to date.

Table 3 Cooljarloo North Drilling Summary

Target Holes Metres
Helene 337 8,784
Hyperion 43 1,021
Target 3 32 749
Target 5 3 64
Target 6 9 152
Target 7 27 456
Target 8 5 82
TOTAL 456 11,308

Helene is now recognised to consist of multiple strands over a 4.5km distance with the four main strands averaging between 50m and 200m in width. Three subsidiary parallel strands have also been outlined (see Figure 2) making the zone of interest over 900m in width on the edge of the Gingin scarp. Image Resources’ magnetic mapping technique was instrumental in locating the seven strands identified to date. Helene’s northern extension on new tenement E70/3328 has been followed up with a magnetic survey and drilling is planned upon completion of permitting.

Laboratory results for 221 samples from Helene, 45 from Hyperion, and 33 from Target 3 were received and are summarised in Tables 4, 5 and 6 respectively. Over 1,000 samples remain to be processed, mostly from recent drilling at Helene.

1,071 holes for a total of 27,338 m have now been drilled at Helene (including historical drilling). Of the 3,793 samples processed so far, 1,497 exceed a cut off of 2% HM (average grade 5.2%) and 128 exceed 10% (average grade 14.5%) with a highest grade of 36.9%.

5

==> picture [412 x 564] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 2 Helene Drilling Highlights, Cooljarloo North

6

Table 4 Helene Drill Intersections

Hole ID Collar Coordinates Collar Coordinates From
m
To
m
Interval
m
Interval
x Grade
m%
Grade
% HM
East North
CN1086 331346 6635686 8 16 8 56 7.0
including 12 14 2 26 13.0
CN1110 331464 6635285 14 18 4 25 6.2
including 14 16 2 19 9.4
CN1109 3314i3 6635291 12 18 6 32 5.3
including 14 16 2 18 9.1
CN1106 331564 6635351 12 20 8 42 5.2
including 14 18 4 32 8.1
CN1085 331367 6635699 10 16 6 30 5.0
including 12 14 2 19 9.3
CN1061 330958 6636149 10 16 6 26 4.4
CN1101 331707 6635445 16 20 4 17 4.3
CN1065 331172 6636287 12 18 6 25 4.2
CN1052 330640 6636443 10 14 4 17 4.2
CN1107 331518 6635319 12 18 6 25 4.1
CN1069 331048 6635974 6 12 6 24 4.0
CN1072 330931 6635892 12 14 2 8 3.8
CN1075 331032 6635719 8 14 6 23 3.8
CN1074 331061 6635738 6 10 4 15 3.7
CN1057 330864 6636325 16 18 2 7 3.6
CN1059 330744 6636248 12 16 4 14 3.5
CN1089 331263 6635631 6 14 8 28 3.5
CN1077 331197 6635826 8 14 6 21 3.5
CN1083 331481 6635774 8 14 6 20 3.4
CN1108 331499 6635311 12 16 4 14 3.4
CN1094 331381 6635473 10 16 6 20 3.3
CN1093 331345 6635448 12 14 2 7 3.3
CN1103 331649 6635407 14 18 4 13 3.2
CN1054 331045 6636446 10 18 8 25 3.1
CN1087 331314 6635664 10 14 4 12 3.1
CN1088 331295 6635652 6 14 8 24 3.0
CN1064 331137 6636266 10 16 6 17 2.9
CN1091 331220 6635360 10 14 4 11 2.8
CN1100 331722 6635458 16 20 4 10 2.6
CN1084 331446 6635751 8 14 6 15 2.4

1m or 2m samples, HM grade determined by TBE heavy liquid separation

7

Table 5 Hyperion Drill Intersections

Hole ID Collar Coordinates Collar Coordinates From
m
To
m
Interval
m
Interval x
Grade m%
Grade
% HM
East North
CN517 329421 6631900 3 9 6 117 19.4
CN978 328866 6634000 4 10 6 37 6.1
including 6 10 4 27 6.7
CN966 328986 6633402 2 12 10 61 6.1
including 6 10 4 36 8.9
CN979 328804 6633995 4 10 6 34 5.7
CN952 329281 6632500 8 10 2 10 5.1
CN977 328838 6633999 4 10 6 27 4.5
CN974 328838 6633801 0 8 8 33 4.2
CN970 328894 6633798 2 8 6 23 3.8
CN980 328736 6634200 6 14 8 20 2.5
CN959 328979 6633197 4 8 4 10 2.5

1m or 2m samples, HM grade determined by TBE heavy liquid separation

The samples in Table 5 are from holes drilled to reduce the drill spacing to 20 metres from 40 metres on a few drill lines.

Table 6 Target 3 Drill Intersections

Hole ID Collar Coordinates Collar Coordinates From
m
To
m
Interval
m
Interval x
Grade m%
Grade
% HM
East North
CN989 330500 6635203 10 18 8 72 9.0
Including 12 18 6 67 11.2
CN987 330163 6635198 22 28 6 36 6.1
Including 24 26 2 18 9.0
CN1004 330801 6634604 18 22 4 18 4.6
CN1010 330557 6634406 18 24 6 27 4.5
CN1007 330471 6634598 20 27 7 32 4.3
Including 22 24 2 22 10.8
CN1009 330451 6634599 22 24 2 8 3.9
CN1008 330490 6634597 24 26 2 6 3.0
CN1012 330581 6634399 20 24 4 12 2.9
CN1005 330817 6634601 18 20 2 5 2.3

1m or 2m samples, HM grade determined by TBE heavy liquid separation

Further drilling at Target 3 is necessary to produce a resource estimate, but a spring time flora survey will be required before permitting can be completed.

8

COOLJARLOO (Image 70%)

Laboratory results for 221 drill samples from the 35AHD strand and for 300 samples from other areas of Cooljarloo were received and are summarised in Tables 7 and 8 respectively.

Table 7 35AHD Drill Intersections

Hole ID Collar Coordinates Collar Coordinates From
m
To
m
Interval
m
Interval x
Grade m%
Grade
% HM
East North
1282 332030 6621800 4 8 4 51 12.9
1276 332220 6621700 6 11 5 45 9.0
including 7 10 3 40 13.5
1269 332290 6621600 2 6 4 30 8.7
including 4 6 2 22 10.9
1312 332570 6623200 6 12 6 48 8.0
including 8 12 4 41 10.3
1306 332600 6623000 6 10 4 30 7.5
1382 332230 6621800 4 10 6 43 7.2
including 4 6 2 32 15.9
1283 332012 6621801 6 7 1 6 6.1
1271 332020 6621700 4 6 2 12 6.0
1387 332211 6621885 3 10 7 36 5.2
1281 332280 6621800 4 5 1 5 5.2
1284 332053 6621802 5 7 2 9 4.7
1384 332236 6621882 2 10 8 37 4.6
1274 332080 6621700 5 6 1 4 4.5
1385 332223 6621880 2 10 8 35 4.4
1287 332260 6622000 6 9 3 12 3.9
1388 332198 6621885 3 5 2 8 3.9
1383 332035 6621885 2 8 6 22 3.7
1285 332076 6621803 6 7 1 4 3.6
1294 332220 6622300 4 10 6 20 3.3
1270 332080 6621600 6 10 4 12 3.0
1290 332300 6622000 4 6 2 6 2.9
1381 332360 6621200 10 14 4 11 2.7
1380 332380 6621300 10 14 4 11 2.6
1273 332060 6621700 6 7 1 3 2.5
1288 332270 6622000 5 8 3 7 2.5
1386 332245 6621888 3 8 5 12 2.5
1321 332400 6623600 6 10 4 10 2.4
1289 332290 6622000 5 7 2 5 2.3
1331 332260 6623400 6 8 2 4 2.0
1286 332300 6621900 5 10 5 10 1.9

1m or 2m samples, HM grade determined by TBE heavy liquid separation

9

Table 8 Other Cooljarloo Drill Intersections

Hole ID Collar Coordinates Collar Coordinates From
m

To
m

Interval
m
Interval x
Grade m%
Grade
% HM
East North
1313 332580 6623200 10 12 2 10 4.8
1350 332540 6622600 6 10 4 19 4.7
1304 332590 6623000 8 11 3 14 4.6
1298 332530 6623000 8 12 4 17 4.2
1297 332520 6623000 7 10 3 12 4.1
1299 332540 6623000 8 13 5 20 4.0
1308 332510 6623001 8 10 2 8 3.9
1311 332560 6623200 5 8 3 11 3.8
1317 332580 6623300 8 12 4 15 3.7
1319 332510 6623450 6 10 4 15 3.7
1316 332560 6623300 8 12 4 15 3.7
1320 332540 6623450 6 10 4 15 3.7
1323 332500 6623600 6 10 4 14 3.5
1318 332600 6623300 6 12 6 20 3.3
1310 332550 6623200 5 10 5 16 3.3
1356 332460 6622400 6 8 2 6 3.2
1303 332580 6623000 7 15 8 25 3.1
1309 332540 6623200 6 10 4 12 3.0
1325 332540 6623600 6 10 4 12 3.0
1353 332480 6622400 6 14 8 23 2.9
1315 332540 6623300 6 12 6 17 2.9
1343 332600 6622800 6 10 4 11 2.8
1301 332560 6623000 8 18 10 28 2.8
1307 332620 6623000 8 14 6 16 2.7
1322 332480 6623600 6 12 6 16 2.7
1302 332570 6623000 6 30 22 54 2.5
1300 332550 6623000 7 13 6 13 2.2

1m or 2m samples, HM grade determined by TBE heavy liquid separation

The 35AHD intersections in Table 7 are infill holes over known strandlines in the resource. The other intersections in Table 8 are largely from a magnetic target immediately east of the 35AHD deposit. Both sets of results were received too late to be included in the soon to be released resource estimate for the 35AHD deposit, but will be assessed in a later resource update.

BIDAMINNA (Image 100%)

As previously reported (ASX releases of 23 January and 25 February 2008), Image completed the acquisition of the Bidaminna resource by entering into an agreement to acquire a 90% interest in exploration licence E70/3298 which hosts a significant part of the resource. The remainder of the resource and its potential northern extension occurs on Image’s 100%-owned tenements. The Bidaminna Inferred Resource of 1.3Mt of HM concentrate (44Mt @ 3%HM) was previously drilled out by Geopeko and is 6km in length and 40m in width.

10

Reprocessing of geophysical data and reinterpretation of drilling results has identified a new channel or strand target adjacent to the existing resource at Bidaminna as shown in Figure 3. The magnetic target is 18km long, averages 500m in width and shows good correlation of magnetic data along its length. In addition Image has identified a 6km potential strike extension to the Bidaminna resource plus other targets, increasing the magnetic targets in the Bidaminna area to some 62km.

==> picture [388 x 531] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 3 Bidaminna Magnetic Anomalies and Bidaminna Deposit

11

PHOSPHATE PROJECT (Image 100%)

As previously announced (ASX release 18 March 2008) a significant section of Image’s North Perth Basin project covers part of the Dandaragan Trough which is known to host shallow phosphate sands. Unlike other major phosphate projects in Australia, these phosphate sands can be unconsolidated and potentially easy to mine with phosphate occurring as nodules and precipitates in Upper Cretaceous sedimentary formations. Of nine recorded outcropping phosphate occurrences in the Dandaragan area, three occur on Image’s tenements.

Significantly, rapidly rising global demand for rock phosphate has driven world prices from US$50/tonne a year ago to more than US$200/tonne today, making shallow phosphate-bearing horizons in an area of good infrastructure an attractive exploration target.

Historical phosphate exploration in the Dandaragan Trough in the 1970’s and 1980’s demonstrated the presence of economically significant phosphate grades and thicknesses within the Poison Hill Greensand and Molecap Greensand sedimentary units. Image is encouraged by the potential for large tonnages of phosphate sands to occur on its tenements in an area close to a railway and port. A programme of systematic data compilation to more fully assess the phosphate potential is in progress.

EUCLA BASIN

SERPENTINE LAKES (Image 100%)

Rehabilitation bonds have been lodged and the programmes of work outlining access track clearing, magnetometer surveys and drilling have been approved. A heritage survey over the area is expected to be undertaken in the next quarter and track clearing will begin shortly thereafter.

FORREST LAKES (Image 100%)

Three of the four tenement applications lie wholly within the Great Victoria Desert “A” class nature reserve and Image has received advice from the Department of Industry and Resources that the tenements cannot be granted. Consequently, these three tenements are being withdrawn. The fourth tenement, E69/2036, has had the portion covering the reserve excised from the application.

WANNA SOUTH (Image 100%)

Exploration licence application 69/2434 is pending grant.

OOLDEA RANGE (Image 100%)

Exploration licence application 2004/00921 is pending grant.

BARTON JV (Image earning up to 70% of mineral sands)

Exploration licence application 2004/00265 is pending grant.

12

WOODLINE JV (Image 100%, diluting)

Following the inclusion of an additional Image-owned tenement (E28/1328), the Woodline joint venture now comprises three exploration licences situated on the regional Tropicana-Beachcomber structural trend, a current focus of gold exploration activity in WA following the 4Moz Tropicana gold discovery. Under the terms of the joint venture Sipa and Newmont may earn a 70% interest in the tenements by expenditure of $1 million by mid 2011. In late 2007 Sipa announced a gold intercept of 29m at 2.1g/t Au from 12m to end of hole in drilling at its Socrates prospect situated about 2km east of an Image tenement boundary, adding to the prospectivity of this area.

Sipa and Newmont have outlined four gold prospects on the Woodline JV tenements summarised as follows:

Zeno : An 8km x 1km anomalous gold envelope in bedrock as recorded in historical drilling, with best intercepts of 2m at 5.3g/t Au from 50m and 2m at 1.2g/t Au from 42m.

Sapho : A 3km x 1km gold-in-calcrete anomaly associated with silicified pyritic basalts with no previous drilling.

Epicuris : A 2km x 1km multi-element calcrete anomaly associated with brecciated pyritic metasediments.

Diogenes : A 3.5km x 2.5km multi-element calcrete anomaly associated with a magnetic anomaly.

Sipa and Newmont are planning to carry out further geochemical sampling at Sapho followed by RC drilling at Zeno and RAB drilling at Epicuris and Diogenes.

CORPORATE

EMU NICKEL IPO

Emu Nickel was incorporated to farm in to nickel assets held by Image Resources. Under the terms of a joint venture with Image, Emu can earn up to 100% of Image’s interest in a 2,500sq km tenement package by spending $3 million on the tenements within three years, Image retaining a 1% royalty interest. Image shareholders (as at the record date) received one free bonus Emu share for each two Image shares held. In addition Image shareholders received an entitlement to apply (on a priority basis) for one additional Emu share for each bonus Emu share held. Despite difficult market conditions Emu’s initial public offering raised $10million following which quotation of Emu’s shares on ASX commenced on 27 February 2008.

For more information on the company visit www.imageres.com.au Please direct enquiries to:

Roger Thomson George Sakalidis
Executive Director Managing Director
Phone (08) 9485 2410 Phone (08) 9485 2410
Mobile 0419 969 183 Mobile 0411 640 337
Email [email protected] Email [email protected]

The information in this report that relates to exploration results is based on information compiled or reviewed by Roger Thomson BSc, ARSM, MAusIMM, who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Roger Thomson is an employee of Image Resources NL. Roger Thomson 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 2004 edition of the ‘Australasian Code of Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Roger Thomson consents to the inclusion of this information in the form and context in which it appears in this report.

13