THE McPhee Creek deposit is shaping up as one of the largest direct shipping ore haematite plays within trucking distance of Port Hedland not held by a major, but this has not stopped its owner Giralia Resources from advancing scoping study work.
In fact, the junior is now expanding its scoping study framework to investigate off-highway road and rail haulage options.
The project is located 50 kilometres north of BC Iron/Fortescue Metals Groups Nullagine iron ore joint venture deposits and, based on drilling since December 2009, resources have been upgraded to 161.4 million tonnes grading 56.2% iron (62.1% calcined iron).
This compares to the previous estimate of 52.1Mt at 56% iron (61.7% calcined iron), based on a 50% iron cut-off grade.
It also comes in higher than Giralias previous exploration target for the deposit of between 100 and 140Mt.
The resource upgrade covers around 2.3km (up to 30%) of the strike length of the main range deposit at McPhee Creek, but to the north further hits such as 112m (to end of hole) of 57.7% iron have been returned.
The company expects to announce a further resource upgrade late next month, once all assays are received, and to this end has revised its exploration target upwards to 250-350Mt at grades of 56-60% iron.
GIR Price at posting:
$2.21 Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held