Mauritania

• Country summary
Permits
• SOMASO Joint Venture
• Exploration programme
• Exploration results

Exploration results

Gold exploration

Drilling on permit 272 shows gold mineralisation associated with anomalous zinc, lead and copper. The best gold intersection is 8.47g/t over 3m. Exploration activity is ongoing. Mapping completed to date covered some 60km². A hematite/magnetite iron formation outcrops discontinuously over a strike length of 20km. To date 20 reverse circulation and three diamond drill holes have been completed. Grab sampling on permits 806 and 807 returned Cu values of 2.21% and 3.35%. Mapping and grab sampling continues.

Iron ore exploration

On permit 273 a hematite/magnetite iron formation outcrops discontinuously over a strike length of 20km. Gravity and magnetic surveys have been completed and interpreted while detailed geological mapping covers some 60km². Furthermore 20 reverse circulation and 12 diamond drill holes have been completed. These exploration activities have established a minimum potential resource base of 670 million tonnes of iron ore in situ. Geochemical analysis indicates the iron content to be in the order of 30%, while phosphorous values are low, making this iron ore a potentially attractive proposition for the European and US markets.

Selected drilling results

Hole number	Down hole depth (m)		Intersection Width (m)	Fe (%)	Combined intersection width (m)
	From	To
KW001	1	10	9	31	50m @ 30%
	49	81	32	30
	88	97	9	30
KW002	0	16	16	34	29m @ 32%
	24	30	6	30
	39	44	5	30
	49	15	2	31
KW004	8	20	12	30	26m @ 30%
	25	34	9	28
	40	45	5	32
KW005	5	12	7	29	42m @ 30%
	17	26	9	29
	39	62	23	30
	64	67	3	32

Analytical results and metallurgical test work is pending. Preliminary results from rock grab samples assayed at above 30% Fe, with an average content of 42% Fe. Phosphorous values are low, making the product potentially attractive for the European and US markets.

Selected drilling results

Hole number	Down hole depth (m)		Intersection Width (m)	Fe (%)	Combined intersection width (m)
	From	To
KW004	8	20	12	30	26m @ 30%
	25	34	9	28
	40	45	5	32
KW005	5	12	7	29	42m @ 32%
	17	26	9	29
	39	62	23	30
	64	67	3	32

Phosphorous values are low and average <0.05%, making the product ideal for the European and US markets. Analysis of grab samples taken from the haematite breccia at Kaouat el Khadra is listed below being indicative of the potential product specifications.

Selected drilling results

	SiO2%	Al2O3%	CaO%	Cl%	Fe%	P%	S%	TiO2%
Sample 1	3.16	1.04	0.44	0.038	60	0.052	0.065	0.04
Sample 2	8.33	0.41	0.30	0.026	57	0.032	0.073	0.02
Sample 3	11.70	0.70	0.25	0.024	54	0.056	0.064	0.03

Initial metallurgical studies suggest that fine grinding will be required to obtain a saleable product. Metallurgical test work is ongoing. Additional diamond drilling results on the Zerga north intersection show total Fe concentrations of 33%.

Iron ore outcrop on permit area

Uranium exploration

A reconnaissance visit to permits 288 and 909 has been completed. High radiometric count readings indicate the possibility of uranium concentrations within the granite. Grab samples were collected at several locations over an area of about 20km². Results are pending.