ASX-listed exploration and development company Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) reports it has completed phase one of a reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at its spodumene dominant Uis Lithium Project in Namibia.
The recent drilling campaign comprised a total of 59 drillholes and was conducted across areas of ‘high-grade’ Tin (Sn), Tantalum (Ta) and Rubidium (Rb) mineralisation as part of an overall 10,000m RC drilling campaign that is set to be completed over 3 phases.
Initial observations of the drillholes has confirmed the presence of visible Li2O mineralisation, as well as tantalum and tin mineralisation, within pegmatite dykes near the Uis Mine, which is owned and operated by AfriTin Mining.
Drilling was designed to target ‘high-grade’ spodumene hosted lithium (Li2O) mineralisation up to 3.1% Li2O that was identified at surface following the completion surface sampling conducted by the company in September and October this year.
Assays from the drilling are expected to be received by February next year.
Speaking on the completion of drilling, Askari Metals’ Vice President (VP) of Geology and Exploration, Johan Lambrechts says: “The completion of our phase one RC drilling program at the Uis Lithium Project underpins the mandate of the company to aggressively explore and add value to our projects through proven results.
“The completion of our phase one RC drilling program at the Uis Lithium Project underpins the mandate of the company to aggressively explore and add value to our projects through proven results.”
The pegmatites at the Uis Lithium Project had never been drill tested historically so this is naturally an exciting time for the company, and we eagerly await the receipt of the results from this phase one drilling campaign.”
The company also notes that these identified ‘extensive’ areas of ‘high-grade’ Li2O mineralisation hosted in pegmatite dykes extend parallel to the mineralisation trend for several kilometres.
In addition, the completion of drilling comes following the signing of a Binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Earth Dimensions Consulting for the acquisition of an 80% interest in tenement EPL 8535 in order to expand the strategic footprint of the Uis Lithium Project, as announced by the company on 5 December this year.
Askari Metals is an ASX-listed company that was incorporated for the primary purpose of acquiring, exploring and developing a portfolio of ‘high-grade’ battery and precious metal projects across Namibia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. The company has assembled a strategically located portfolio of projects across these prospective locations.
The company’s Uis Lithium tenement is located less than 5km from the township of Uis and less than 2.5km from the operating Uis Tin-Tantalum-Lithium Mine within Namibia’s Erongo Region and boasts more than 100 mapped pegmatites across the project area. The project underpins the mandate of the company to identify, explore and develop key battery metals projects.
With phase one of the RC drilling campaign now complete, Askari Metals announces that it will commence phase two of drilling in February next year.
Images: Askari Metals Ltd
