Norwest Minerals Limited announced it has received all 6,550 multi-element soil sample results covering its 840km² Arunta West Project ("Arunta West"). A preliminary review has confirmed the presence of large geochemical anomalies including
gold and base metals. A detailed study of the new soil data is being undertaken by consulting
geochemist Dr. Nigel Brand to further assess, rank and plan drill testing for all zones having potential
economic mineralisation. The follow-up fieldwork, including drill testing, is proposed to commence in
April-May 2022.
Several elevated lithium zones were also identified within previously modelled Lithium-Cesium-
Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, with further work being undertaken by Dr. Brand to assess the lithium
outcomes from the assay results.
The ultra-low detection fine fraction soil geochemistry applied by Norwest was developed by major
resource company IGO Limited (IGO) in concert with Genalysis/Intertek laboratories who have
operated in the region for the past +5 years. Preliminary first-pass contouring of the new Arunta West
multi-element assay results has highlighted significant targets which include at least three anomalous
coincident copper-lead-zinc zones and a large 12km x 1.5km gold anomaly. See figures below.
Significant gold and base metal zones identified by Norwest Minerals at Arunta West
Examination of open file 3.5 x 3.5 km spaced Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA)
geochemical samples by Dr. Brand in 2020 showed copper-in-soil assays grading above 6 parts per
million (ppm) are anomalous for the region. Figure 2 The GSWA copper assays highlight a zone of
multi-point, coherent, robust samples located within Norwest's E80/5362 tenement. The 2021 soil
sampling programme has confirmed significant copper-lead-zinc anomalism within this tenement as
well as areas where several other anomalous GSWA copper samples were highlighted.
The 2021 soil programme has also identified a significant gold anomaly striking east-west for
approximately 12 kms and being roughly 1.5 kms in width. The zone is delineated by gold results
having ppb values greater than 2 which has been confirmed as anomalous for the region. Norwest
will undertake further soil geochemistry sampling to infill the currently wide spaced (700 x 700m) gold-
in-soil points prior to drilling gold targets in the area. Major resource companies Rio Exploration and IGO recognize Arunta region's potential:
Interest in the mineral resource potential of the Arunta belt-scale region appears to be increasing with
Agrimin Limited last year announcing a farm-in agreement with Rio Exploration (Rio)1. Rio now holds
exploration ground along the Arunta belt extending over 140kms west from the WA-NT border. The
new Rio ground shares a significant boundary with the Company's Arunta West tenements. Adjoining the easternmost Arunta West tenements is IGO ground covering 15,600km². This under-explored belt scale region extends over 300kms from the WA border far into the Northern Territory. IGO's systematic ultra-low detection fine-fraction soil sampling programs have defined targets leading to the discovery of multiple base and precious metals prospects within their project tenure. Significant gold and base metal zones identified by Norwest Minerals at Arunta West. Land Access: Importantly, all Arunta West project tenements are covered by fully executed Land Access Agreements with the Tjamu Tjamu people and supported by a Mining Entry Permit issued to Norwest last year by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.