Pinnacle Minerals Ltd has announced the application for the Wirrulla Project (ELA 2023-00031) based in Wirrulla, South Australia.
The project, marked by a distinctive circular magnetic feature akin to a Mount Weld style intrusion, offers promising prospects for Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralisation in both carbonatites and clays.
Historical explorations by Diamond Ventures in 1995, while primarily focused on locating kimberlites, revealed significant concentrations of apatite, reaching up to 15 per cent, a characteristic of carbonatites.
Also noted were phosphorous levels between 2.3 and 3.74 per cent P2O5. Furthermore, the presence of a partly graphic granite pegmatite was detected in a previously drilled hole, CAR1-1, though no further follow-up work was performed due to the then-focus on diamonds.
The unique geological features of the Wirrulla Project, along with the relative under-exploration of the region, signify an untapped potential for REE exploration. Thus far, the region has primarily been explored for heavy mineral sands, with numerous instances of pink to red clays associated with REE’s.
As the application process is ongoing, Pinnacle Minerals is planning reconnaissance soil sampling over areas of interest, aiming to set benchmarks and outline new target areas for future investigation.
Pinnacle Minerals Managing Director Nic Matich said: “The Wirrulla Project was applied for after an extensive review of historical data and is considered a highly prospective target for both hard rock and clay hosted REE’s.
“The team is excited about the potential of the project and will look to conduct first pass exploration this half to delineate potential targets for follow up in H1 2024.”
