Ekometall Group Ltd., via its wholly owned Austrian subsidiary Ekometall Exploration GmbH (EMEX), has received laboratory results from prospecting survey work at its Kelchalpe license area in Tirol, Austria. The 100% owned project underwent a reconnaissance mapping, with 22 rock samples analyzed by ALS in Romania. The testing included methods such as Au-AA25 fire assay with AAS finish for gold, ME-ICP61 acid digest with ICP-AES finish for a 33-element suite including base metals, and CU-OG62 acid digest with ICP-AES finish for ore-grade copper (>1% Cu).
Copper and Gold
The initial findings affirm the presence of copper and gold within the mining waste stockpiles and surrounding exposures of the mine. The most notable result came from float sample EXR0122, returning 3.52% Cu & 0.2g/t Au. The average copper grade for all samples was 0.8%, and the average gold grade was 0.1g/t, with 11 out of 22 samples showing >0.5% Cu.
Cobalt
Several samples exhibited visible secondary cobalt mineralization, with grades reaching up to 0.15%. The primary observed mineral was pink-beige Erythrite, often a secondary weathering product of more common cobalt minerals. This discovery of cobalt mineralization is unprecedented in the area, prompting further mapping and field sampling in early 2024 to understand the relationships between Cu, Co, and Au.
Kelchalpe Project Overview
The Kelchalpe-Kupferplatte deposit stands as one of Austria’s significant copper exploration areas, boasting over 4000 years of mining history with continuous production until the 1970s. In 2023, EMEX expanded its land position to cover newly identified areas of potential interest, securing the entire accessible district.
Located just 12 km north of the Mittersill tungsten mine operated by Wolfram-Sandvik, the world’s second-largest underground tungsten mine, the Kelchalpe project benefits from excellent existing infrastructure, including road, rail, and power facilities. The primary target within the Kelchalpe, ‘Wildalm,’ is situated in the municipality of Aurach, extending below the range of hills between Laubkogel (1760 meters) and the southern Saalkogel (2007 meters). The deposit is part of a 3 km Fe-carbonate mineral system range, encompassing the Kelchalpe, Bachalpe, and Wildalpe, all within EMEX’s current license claims.
