DRIFTWOOD - 2015 TECH REPORT LINK -
https://www.mgxminerals.com/_files/ugd/b0543a_72ec5e64569b4475a36e2b9c31a2f5ec.pdf
Cobalt was on my mind.
Reviewign other deposits ( juniors ) and how so many minerals can be overlooked.
All revolves around ( geologist ) and junior flipping the bill having the right lab analysis performed on ores.
Secondly...
knowing what species of minerals ( hangout ) with typical deposits - helps.
I reminded myself this eve - with the memry recall, that Driftwood has different coloration with in the magnesite ores. I said to myself... was there a blue color seen or was it green ?
To set the stage - i read another report this eve on the subject of what minerals can run with
magnesite - can cobalt do so i asked ? Is there a kind of cobalt that hosts with magnesite ?
ONLINE INFO -
Cobaltoan dolomite is a pink to purple variety of dolomite. Similar to cobaltocalcilte, the gem is popular for its striking purplish pink color...
Surprize to my eyes....
There is such a tihng as, dolomite cobalt.
And... if ores are seen in purple hues, ya think one would check for this.
Also... green hues in dolomites sometimes reveals chromium - cobalt + chormium are
known to run together.
What other ore body would harbor -cobalt ?
Turns out - i was in another sotck not long ago - whose on the same cordillera -
Who has hematite, irons, and argillites.
Cobalt is present in thier - ores.
And its oxidized cobalt. ( bluish purple )
How many similarities to the other junior who has cobalt ?
- same cordillera
- argillites
- irons
- hematite
- blue + puple colorations
So I downloaded the Driftwood Tech Report - what did i find ?
PAGE - 11 - ( no aanalysis for - chromium or cobalt )
5 kilogram samples of magnesite were also collected along 17 cross-section survey lines. Samples were analyzed by Chemex Laboratories Ltd., Vancouver B.C. The analyses were done for SiCte, AI2O3, Fe203, MgO, CaO, Na20, K2O, Ti02, P2O5, MnO, BaO and L.O.I. As well, a "dead-burned" assay was done for each sample. This involves analysis for %MgO after roasting at 1000°C for an hour.
PAGE - 14 -
Driftwood Creek magnesite deposit (Simandl and Hancock, 1992). The "white markers" sequence is less than 70 metres thick and conformably overlies the orange dolomite. It consists of cream to medium grey dolomites and locally contains white magnesite beds up to 1 metre thick as well as purple, green and buff dolomitic mudstones and beds with dolomite-replaced halite crystals. It is assumed that the Driftwood Creek magnesite deposit occurs at this stratigraphic level. The "purple sequence" conformably overlies the white markers. It consists of dolomites as well as dolomitic siltstones and sandstones consisting of 20 percent quartz, 70 percent dolomite and 10 percent hematite. These rocks contain halite casts and grade upward into purple shales with green reduction spots. Several mud chip breccias and monomictic conglomerates occur within this sequence. The upper part of the purple sequence is referred to as "purple shale unit". It consists of purple argillites with or without green reduction spots and laminae. The purple sequence is separated from the overlying upper middle dolomite by a conglomerate consisting of angular to rounded dolomite and quartzite clasts of variable dimensions, cemented by purple sandy argillite
The unit is characterized by abundant chert layers, cryptalgal structures replace by black chert and by a distinctive, laminated, strongly contorted and locally brecciated blue-grey dolomite. The contact with underlying quartzite is transitional and consists of interbeds of purple argillite, quartzite and dolomite.
Hmmm.... purple argillite - nooooo, not dolomite.
But purple argillite.
Could this ( purple argillite ) perofrm a bleed into the dolomite ?
Could this be a cobalt - emminating from the argillites ?
If so... sounds similar to a deposit not far away on same cordillera.
Does the magnesite come in contact with - magnetite ?
Sure does. And... Cobalt is known to run with the - iron ores...
PAGE - 16 -
Where magnesite contacts with dolomite are exposed, the contacts are gradational
How about Pink ?
Cobalt can also present - pink to purple hues.
ONLINE INFO -
Cobaltoan dolomite is a rare variant of dolomite containing cobalt. As such, it has an extremely vibrant pink colour to the crystals. While regular dolomite is fairly common, this cobalt variation is very limited and found in only 5 countries in the world.
LINK -
https://www.geologysuperstore.com/product/cobaltoan-dolomite/#:~:text=Cobaltoan%20dolomite%20is%20a%20rare,5%20countries%20in%20the%20world.
The rock speciment photo above - yeah... i'd say, the cobalt is oxidizing right out of
the dolomite - perhaps even the magnesite.
And... it's pink to purple in hue.
PAGE - 16 -
Does the report mention pink hues ?
Could it be cobalt ixidizing ?
. Freshly broken magnesite is typically a milky white color but weathers to a pale yellow
to slightly pinkish color.
Hmmm.... orange ?
Orangy / brown minerals - found in dolomite -
strontium, rubidium, boron, and uranium (U)—are known definitely to occur within the dolomite structure.
So... the Driftwood 2015 tech report reads as....
No cobalt or chromium analysis.
PAGE - 12 -
The "ore" has a high magnesite grade estimated at
93.4% Eastern deposit
86.3% for the Western deposit.
( i wonder if the western deposit contacts the argillites ) ?
lessor grade = allows for more " other minerals " to make up the 100%.
Were given deadburn values of 43 % ( MgO )
( after fire assaying )
BUT - MgCO3 - commands more money....lol
I would say....
Wouldn't hurt to do a few more - assay tests.
Yes... it would be " normal " to look for the highest dolomite or magnesite grades.
But... the what if... other valued minerals are also present.
Tip off could be the numerous - colors seen with in the ores.
When minerals oxidize or transition - so do their colors.
Thought i'd share my tid bits of research.
Oh...... At the begining of the report - it mentions using an RFD looking for lithium/boron
They should've dialed it to - cobalt.
lol
Cheers....