LA COBLATERA PROJECT
“La Cobaltera stands as one of only a few primary cobalt deposits known globally. With the district-scale potential that this project holds, we are embarking on a dynamic exploration and development program to restart and expand these past-producing mines. Operating in Chile, one of the world’s top mining jurisdictions and a US Free Trade Agreement country, we also offer an Americas-focused solution for downstream producers who are increasingly interested in reliable and sustainable sources of this critical mineral. ”
Duncan T. Blount, CEO
La Cobaltera, San Juan District, Northern Chile – Top Cobalt District in Chile as identified in a 2017 report by the Chilean National Service of Geology and Mining (“Sernageomin”) and CORFO, stating “the San Juan District has cobalt mineralization in veins and mantles, with average concentrations of 1.6%”.
Exploration summary of the San Juan District – Old mines recommended for detailed study are La Cobaltera, Prosperidad, Blanca, Verde, Lea, Delirio and Rosa Amelia.
Primary cobalt production occurred in the San Juan District between 1844 and 1944, but only artisanal cobalt mining has occurred since then. The presence of multiple cobalt ore veins is registered with a significant thickness (1 to 5 meters), and these mineral bodies had concentrations up to 6.4% cobalt. Geologically, La Cobaltera appears to be a cobalt-copper epigenetic deposit in metasedimentary rocks. It is comprised of a cobalt-copper vein system that follows two primary district-scale structural trends with evidence of shallow oxide mineralization and deeper sulfidic systems.
La Cobaltera is located about 48 kilometers south of Huasco, in the Huasco Province within the Atacama Region of Chile. This area has numerous strategic advantages
C3’s wholly owned Chilean subsidiary Baltum Mineria SpA owns 2,635 hectares of 100% owned, unencumbered mining property. The Company is continually working to consolidate the district and add fully exploitable mining concessions in the La Cobaltera area. There are numerous past-producing mines and a historic flotation plant and processing facilities located within this land package.
Prior exploration by Chilean Cobalt Corp. in this area has validated historical geological data and included extensive diamond drilling with over 20,000 meters of core recovered across the district, including technical and modeling work by SRK geological consultants. This previous exploration information will be leveraged in tandem with future, strategic and targeted exploration in an attempt to achieve feasibility of resources and/or reserves, sufficient to justify plant construction and production. The company began an extensive exploration and development program starting in 2018, which includes:
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Topography work, visual assessment of vein outcrops at the surface
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Trenching to uncover outcrops, sampling (at surface and depth)
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XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis
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Geophysics (magnetic analysis)
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Induced polarization test indicates vein structures at least 300m depth
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Drilling program, 22,000 meters of drill core
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Geochemical analysis of the drill cores
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Computer modeling, geostatistical analysis
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Technical Assessment report issued and QP approved
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SRK validation and modeling as a technical consultant
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Baseline geo-mechanical analysis
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Metallurgical work and mine design
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Infrastructure improvement
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Environmental baseline and hydrological work by SGA
