Battery and precious metals explorer and developer Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) has recorded ‘high-grade’ lithium (Li), tin (Sn), and tantalum (Ta) results in rock chip samples collected at the Uis Lithium Project in Namibia.
A total of 162 rock chip samples were collected from EPL 8535 during the due diligence phase of the tenement acquisition. This sampling was conducted over exposed pegmatites and included several old artisanal workings mined for either tin or semi-precious stones.
The company says several of the pegmatites are characterised by coloured tourmalines (green and blue especially), as well as examples of altered and weathered spodumene, and lepidolite crystals. Some weathered cassiterite was also identified.
“These extraordinary results from the due diligence sampling campaign are significant for Askari”
Askari reports the overall outcome of the due diligence sampling campaign is ‘exceptionally positive’, yielding 5 results greater than 3% Li2O, and 8 results greater than 1% Li2O. The company says ‘excellent’ results for tin mineralisation was also returned, with a sample assaying 3.2% SnO2, and 10 samples producing results greater than 1,875 parts per million (ppm) Sn.
Tantalum results were also ‘highly positive’, with 42 samples returning results greater than 100ppm Ta, and 2 samples with results greater than 1,000ppm Ta. The company also notes there were indications of ‘strong’ rubidium (Rb), with results up to 7,980ppm Rb.
Commenting on the results, Askari Metals Vice President of Geology and Exploration Johan Lambrechts said: “These extraordinary results from the due diligence sampling campaign are significant for Askari, including 5 results greater than 3% Li2O, 10 results greater than 0.24% tin, and 42 results greater than 100ppm tantalum.
The company has been rewarded for its commitment to unlocking mineral resources potential as efficiently as possible, and strategically manoeuvring to capture shareholder value through the acquisition of the Uis Lithium project next door to an operating world-class tin, tantalum, lithium mine.
Askari is strategically advancing its drive towards the top of the lithium exploration field in Namibia. We see immense potential in our growing Namibian portfolio as we believe the country hosts significant and untapped lithium and critical mineral riches vital for the global energy transition to a lower carbon future.”
Askari reports initial lithium results from Uis are ‘very encouraging’ with a maximum of 3.3% Li2O,14 samples with results greater than 0.5% Li2O, and 26 samples above 0.1% Li2O.
The ‘high’ proportion of samples with high-grade lithium results in the oxide zone correlates well with the visual lithium mineralisation identified in the field. This bodes well as an indicator for the lithium mineralisation potential below the surface at Uis.
The company reports the maximum tin grade of 3.2% Sn is also ‘very encouraging’ with an additional 17 samples collected during the due diligence reconnaissance program grading above 0.1% Sn, giving Askari a ‘high’ level of confidence regarding the tin mineralisation potential at the project.
Askari also reports the maximum tantalum values were 4,280ppm Ta, with 42 samples returning results greater than 100ppm Ta. The company says the average tantalum grade for all 162 samples is 118ppm Ta. This indicates ‘exceptional’ tantalum prospectivity at the project, and is comparable to technology metals company Andrada’s (LON:ATM) operating mine adjacent to EPL 8535.
The maximum rubidium results from the sampling campaign is 0.83% Rb2O, 13 samples returned results greater than 0.2% Rb2O, while the average rubidium grade for all 162 samples is 870ppm RB2O. This indicates ‘excellent’ rubidium prospectivity, adding additional potential shareholder value on top of the lithium, tin, and tantalum.
Askari reports phase one reverse circulation (RC) drilling at EPL 8535 is imminent with the company planning an initial 3,500 to 4,000m of RC drilling testing the continuity ‘high-grade’ of lithium at depth. The project boasts a multitude of pegmatites across the project area, with many having been mined historically for tin, and semi-precious stones.
Altered spodumene is also visible within the workings and exposed pegmatite, which is a positive indicator for ongoing lithium exploration.
Askari Metals is an Australian battery and precious metals explorer with a portfolio of projects across Namibia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and New South Wales. These projects include the Yarrie Lithium, Barrow Creek Lithium, Mt Maguire Gold-Base Metal, Horry Copper, Burracoppin Gold, Callawa Copper, and the Springdale Copper-Gold projects.
The Uis Lithium project covers 308.12km-square across 2 exploration and prospecting licences in the Erongo Region of central-west Namibia.
Images: Askari Metals Ltd
