Officer Basin potash project given Heritage Clearance for second phase of drilling

The Heritage survey was conducted in accordance with the standards and requirements of Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corp. (WDLAC), the trustee corporation for Martu native title.

11 new drill sites and associated access tracks have been cleared, covering an area of approximately 135 km².

Phase 1 drilling (OB001 – OB005) executed during 2020, provided excellent flows of potash-rich groundwater from shallow aquifers in its Officer Basin exploration area. Phase 2 drilling is planned to the north and west of Phase 1 holes.

The survey will ensure Reward’s activities avoid Registered Sites and WDLAC identified exclusion areas. Some modifications to access corridors have been made as a result of the survey however the modifications do not affect the exploration scope or programme.

The clearance allows Reward to continue exploration at its Officer Basin project, where activities resume at previously Cleared Areas.

It is anticipated that at least 3 holes from the Phase 2 drill programme will be completed during the current field season.

OB001 – OB005 have been drilled along Seismic Line N83-01 over a distance of 11.3 km, striking NE-SW across a potential palaeovalley system containing potash-rich brine. The depths of brine encountered in these holes vary between 20 m and 200 m in depth.

OB005 began earlier in September but has experienced some technical delays. Modifications to the drilling technique have been applied to overcome these issues. Drilling is expected to recommence in mid-October.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/potash/07102021/officer-basin-potash-project-given-heritage-clearance-for-second-phase-of-drilling/