A WEEK after discovering course flake graphite at the Argent and Stanley prospects within its Waddikee project, Monax Mining has identified course graphite at a second site within the same deposit.
The 2mm flakes, collected near a historical rock chip site, were discovered as part of reconnaissance sampling from the Balumbah prospect; the discovery has confirmed the potential for the Waddikee project, which lies on the Eyre Peninsula. A graphite exploration program undertaken by Monax focussed on assessing historical reports from its wholly-owned Waddikee project,
and in a recent statement the company said it was encouraged by the presence of very course graphite within the project area. “Confirmation of a second site of course graphite on the Waddikee
project at such an early stage of our exploration provides significant confidence that this area is highly prospective for graphite,” the company reported.
Graphite flakes are confirmed by reflected light microscopy to form an estimated up to possibly 20 per cent of the rock.
This type of graphite is mostly enclosed within the yellowish, clay-altered ex-biotite between quartz grains.
“Petrology and geochemical assay results from the Balumbah prospect have been received and reported 9.97 per cent carbon,” Monax reported. “The petrological description indicates the sample comprises very coarse graphite flakes of up to 2mm and averaging 0.8mm.a” After first discovering course graphite flakes at Waddikee, Monax announced it would embark on an accelerated graphite exploration program at the project.
Monax, a multi-commodity explorer with an expanding focus on South Australia and Queensland, is currently sampling drill holes for graphite from previous drilling for manganese within the Waddikee tenement area, with results expected in the next four to six weeks.
By Helena Bogle
