Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) has begun a phase two reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign on exclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 7345, which is part of the Uis Lithium Project located in the Erongo Region of central-west Namibia.
Beginning on 28 February 2023, the program comprises at least 4,000m of drilling. The purpose of the program is to test previously untested pegmatites mapped and identified by geologists in the field, which report having visible lithium mineralisation at the surface.
Askari reports that the project holds ‘exceptional’ potential due to the identified analysis sample results and the high number of pegmatites uncovered at the surface which ranges from a few metres to 20m in width.
Addressing the drill campaign, Vice President of Exploration & Geology Johan Lambrechts says: “Askari is continuing its philosophy of aggressive and hands-on exploration with the second phase of drilling commencing on EPL 7345 since purchasing it a mere 4 months ago. We maintain that we see the Uis Lithium Project as having extremely high potential and plan to advance it along the value curve as efficiently as possible.
“Askari is continuing its philosophy of aggressive and hands-on exploration with the second phase of drilling commencing on EPL 7345 since purchasing it a mere 4 months ago”
This new phase of drilling results in the company having 2 separate drill rigs actively drilling on our Uis Lithium project, producing tangible geological data and accelerating the company towards unlocking the significant potential of this well-mineralised lithium-rich pegmatite belt of the Erongo region. In addition to the drilling, the mapping program leads to new and additional pegmatite identification, representing future drill targets to be tested.”
South African geological consultancy Earthlab Tech is geologically mapping and sampling EPL 7345, which has uncovered a large number of pegmatites on the project. Askari reports that these pegmatites have been geologically examined, in which several occurrences of spodumene and other lithium-bearing minerals have been uncovered in the field in outcrop.
About 25% of the project prospect has been mapped to date, and many more targets are anticipated to be generated by the time the mapping program is completed.
The first 4 drillholes of phase two has been completed on EPL 7345 since this recent ASX announcement. Askari states that the campaign is expected to continue for 2 months.
Once the mapping of EPL 7345 is completed, the mapping crew will move to EPL 8535 continuing with the same scope of work. Phase two of drilling on the EPL 8535 will begin as soon as possible once the mapping phase on the tenement is completed.
Askari Metals is a ‘high-grade’ lithium, copper, and gold exploration company. The Uis Lithium Project is located in Namibia, Africa covering an area of 308.12km-square which represents a ‘significantly’ under-explored lithium opportunity in a first-ranked jurisdiction in close proximity to key mining infrastructure and services.
