This is one among the most comprehensive assignments and longest running projects in the early history of Capstone. The prospect spanned across 980 sq. km. in the sub-central region of Mauritania in the fringes of Sahara Desert, primarily containing magnetite ore. Several milestones have been achieved in the program starting with regional investigation and culminating with feasibility studies. The program included,
Regional studies & literature review.
Airborne geophysical studies identifying major anomaly areas.
Remote Sensing studies identifying potential signature of iron mineralization.
Ground Reconnaissance survey.
Comprehensive studies to identify potential blocks for ground survey.
Geochemical mapping, sampling, and laboratory analysis.
High Resolution Ground Magnetic & Geological mapping.
Preliminary Beneficiation studies.
Hydrogeological studies.
Drilling Exploration.
Resource Modelling and Feasibility Studies.
Being a large area, interpretation of Airborne data helped in narrowing zones of potential mineralization. Analysis of Remote Sensing dataset in genres of LANDSAT & ASTER were analysed for lithology & iron ore signature; Geological & Geochemical Mapping in the identified potential zones (regional scale) assisted in target definition for ground magnetic survey. One of the potential areas was targeted, covering 185 sq km in 3500 LKM of magnetic survey and more than 18500 m of drilling exploration. Resource modelling of the sampled data from the drill holes indicated a 5.4 million Tons (Mt) of Measured, 7.8 Mt of Indicated and 32 Mt of Inferred Resources of Magnetite with an average grade of 25% Fe.