Western Desert Resources and Itochu have released the results of a large mineral resource estimate for Area D within Roper Bar iron ore project in the North Territory.

The JORC Code compliant Inferred Mineral Resource contains 90 million tonnes of 37.2%Fe, 31.5%SiO2, 3.15% Al2O3, and <0.01%P at a lower cutoff grade of 30% Fe. The resource estimate was carried out by AMC Consultants who made the following comments in a report.

The report stated that "AMC believes the project has considerable potential provided a saleable product can be produced through appropriate beneficiating methods. The Area D resource displays numerous positive attributes, it is laterally extensive, low in contaminants, flat lying, close to surface, and open to extension through further exploration. In addition, further drilling will allow more detailed definition of higher grade zones which could support exploitation at higher grade than the current resource implies."

The resource is open to the north where drilling carried out by the joint venture in 2008 showed the Sherwin Ironstone Member contained significant hematite mineralization which was amenable to gravity beneficiation.

The announced resource covers the portion of Area D north of 8314600N and is based on drilling carried out on lines spaced 400 meters apart with 200 meters interval between drill holes.

Mr Norm Gardner MD of Western Desert said that "This is a significant milestone for the Roper Bar project. More resource estimates from other areas of the project have been commissioned and we expect to build our resource position over the next three months."

(Sourced from www.proactiveinvestors.com.au)