The CSIRO will support OD6 Metals in research to improve critical minerals exploration, to be conducted at the mining company’s Splinter Rock and Grass Patch projects near Esperance, Western Australia.
The partnership will deliver an initial first-stage project, providing improved geochemical and geophysical understanding of Rare Earth Elements (REE), the collaboration will involve:
- Using existing airborne electromagnetic geophysical survey data to determine if this technique is suitable for identifying clay horizons
- Reviewing other hyperspectral techniques as tools for rare earth exploration
- Utilising CSIROs advanced mineral analysis and logging system, HyLogger
- Identifying potential sources of the clay-hosted rare earth elements
Support will be rendered via CSIRO’s Kick-Start initiative for innovative Australian startups and businesses, providing funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.
CSIRO Research Director Discovery, Dr Sandra Occhipinti, said the organisation had a proven history of delivering improved techniques for resource exploration.
“Australia is well positioned to capitalise on its geology by developing a robust and long-term rare earth industry, which will help decarbonise the global economy. CSIRO has had many successes in the development of new techniques to assist in the discovery and processing of new resource projects,” Dr Occhipinti said.
“We are pleased to be able to support this project through the CSIRO Kick-Start program, which provides companies with funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop their business.”
OD6 Metals has been approved for a $50k Kick-Start voucher, which provides matched funding support and access to CSIRO’s research expertise and capabilities to help grow and develop its business.
OD6 Managing Director, Brett Hazelden, said the partnership would reduce discovery costs, while improving the value of its rare earth projects.
“OD6 is pleased to be working with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to help generate new knowledge and develop new technologies to increase confidence in clay base rare earth exploration,” Mr Hazelden said.
“We, as a company, are committed to working with some of the more innovative and collaborative organisations so we can minimise discovery risk and unlock the full value of our rare earth projects.”
Based on the early indications from the CSIRO and OD6 review of existing airborne electromagnetic geophysical survey data, the company confirmed it is undertaking a Tempest Airborne Electromagnetic Survey over both the Splinter Rock and Grass Patch projects commencing in October.
The key outcome of the survey is to identify and map clay locations, expanse, depth and thickness across OD6’s current tenement areas. The mapping of clays will then enable targeted drilling of high-priority exploration areas over the next six to 18 months.
Initial works by CSIRO and OD6 are expected to be completed by Q1 2023, with potential further works and additional Kick-Start funding to be reviewed at the end of the program.
Completion of the airborne electromagnetic survey is currently scheduled for late October 2022.
Analysis of the data will be completed during Q4 2022.
