Marifil Mines has commenced a phosphate exploration campaign at the Neuquen sedimentary basin in Argentina. Based on the results of the reconnaissance sampling program, the company has applied for two mining claims, totaling 7,700 ha area.
The mining claims enclose approximately 25 km of strike length of projecting phosphatic sedimentary beds present in the Agrio and Vaca Muerte structures. These Cretaceous and Jurassic aged rocks are found in the Sierra De Reys mountains. Currently, the company has managed a strike length of around half of the favourable outcrops, wherein the giant Brazilian miner Vale encloses the rest area.
As a result of the potash campaign at the Neuquen sedimentary basin, the company has started the phosphate program. The geologists of Marifil have discovered the rocks containing phosphate at the basin’s depth during the analysis of the oil well drill logs.
A basin analysis and the sedimentary depositional environmental study were conducted to find phosphorus sites. Then, the company has outlined these beds to its outcrops along the basin’s edge, where reconnaissance rock chip sample series and geologic mapping has confirmed the extensive occurrence of the phosphate anomaly.
The widths of the phosphate horizons, namely from A through E, differ from 5 to 40 m. Marifil is moving a comprehensive sampling campaign to contain trenching for the known sedimentary units. It will conduct the drilling program following the pending additional positive results.
Source: http://www.marifilmines.com/