Kuyuwini ProjectIn December 2001 the headwaters of the Kuyuwini drainage in southern Guyana were investigated by GGMC using drainage geochemistry and geological mapping. Compilation of historical and field information on this project and production of a final report has not yet been completed, but one specific area with distinctive drainage geochemistry has been identified.
Two stream sediment samples west of Marudi Mountain have very high stream sediment tantalum concentrations (63 and 102ppm), with three nearby drainages all containing over 6ppm Ta in SS samples. In comparison stream sediments in the Morabisi area, where historically alluvial tantalum and niobium minerals were mined, contain only a maximum of 19.4ppm Ta. Other elements that are anomalous in the southern of the two drainages with the highest Ta includes Th (24ppm), Rb (29ppm), La (39ppm).
The geology of this area is poorly known, consisting of meta-sediments and meta-volcanics intruded by granitic bodies of various types. Only two rock samples (quartz vein and foliated granite) were collected within this area, but are not anomalous.
In south-eastern Guyana a known carbonatite area with rare earth phosphate minerals is known at Muri Mt, but there is no evidence for or ahainst such an intrusion in this area.
The Tantalum summary map illustrates the Ta anomaly, and two PL blocks which will be available for auction on 30th March 2004.
The following diagram summarises available information.