DIOS EXPLORATION has discovered a carbonatite complex on the Shipshaw property by drilling a carbonatite target for strategic metals (niobium, tantalum) and rare earths 7 kilometers away from the operating Niobec niobium mine located in Quebec, Canada.
The drill target consists of a circular geophysical feature (low magnetic) coincidental with a low bedrock topographic feature as well, in association with the Saguenay rift zone and the fault zone related to the Shipshaw river. There is an ancient topographic bedrock low possibly related to a north south fault zone parallel to the Shipshaw river.
The Niobec niobium mine was discovered in the late sixties by SOQUEM and surveyed by geophysical (magnetic and spectrometric) surveys at the time, which surveys did not cover the actual Shipshaw property of DIOS. Only much later was the area of the DIOS property covered by federal magnetic surveys. Geotechnical studies including geotechnical drill holes were also completed in this area to test the depth of the bedrock. Research work using a profile of the bedrock topographic lines shows that there is a significant ancient topographic bedrock low under a thick overburden layer that fits the circular low magnetic feature, along a structure that leads to the Niobec mine. Also, some syenite outcrops have been noted on the DIOS property, as well as Trenton limestones, both these rock types being also observed in association with the Niobec mine. The Niobec mine central ore-bearing carbonatite is hosted within a syenite intrusive series (alkaline rocks) covered by Trenton limestones. DIOS will drill test this model less than 3,000 meters away along a structure along which another nepheline syenite is known and also some syenite outcrops on the DIOS Shipshaw property itself. The Shipshaw property is road accessible and located near various facilities.
Carbonatite intrusives are alkaline rock types of particular interest for different commodities such as strategic metals (niobium, tantalum), rare earths and many others. Niobium is used in the making of specific alloys used in the aerospace industry, for instance. Kimberlites (diamond exploration) are also alkaline rocks located sometimes along the same structures as carbonatites. Furthermore, in the general region of the Lac-St-Jean-Saguenay area, a pre-feasability study is supposed to start in 2010 on the Crevier ANITA niobium-tantalum carbonatite.
Photo from Iamgold.com
The model Niobec niobium mine less than 3 km away has a rare earth
carbonatite core surrounded by a niobium carbonatite (the ore) giving a low
magnetic signature and surrounded by three types of syenites giving a
rounded higher magnetic anomaly, all covered by a layer of Trenton
limestones.
On the Dios shipshaw property, we have a comparable magnetic signature (in
size and intensity) coupled with an ancient topographic low hidden
underneath under a thick layer of clay: we came upon a geotechnical report
through our research work showing this ancient topographic low of the
bedrock.
