Australian based ‘high-grade’ battery and precious metals explorer Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) reports it has started soil auger drilling and rock sampling programs at its recently acquired Myrnas Hill Lithium Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
The 2 field exploration programs have commenced with a goal of defining priority exploration targets in an area with no previous lithium-focused exploration, as well as test targets generated by a hyperspectral survey and internal geological target generation.
It is also reported that field reconnaissance will also be conducted in areas identified through high-resolution satellite imagery.
The ‘extensive’ soil auger drilling campaign will consist of more than 600 samples and has been designed on a 200m x 200m grid covering the entire tenement.
Commenting on the commencement of the exploration program, Askari Metals’ VP of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts said: “This first phase of exploration at Myrnas Hill will enable the company to define priority exploration targets for future work. We have seen high degrees of success with the use of soil auger drilling in the eastern Pilbara region and our exploration crews have mobilised to the field where they will undertake an ‘extensive’ soil auger program of more than 600 samples, as well as rock sampling and reconnaissance across the project area.
“We are confident that we will be able to delineate priority target areas at this exciting project”
We are confident that we will be able to delineate priority target areas at this exciting project. We eagerly await the results of this campaign which will aid in the design of follow-on exploration programs. Myrnas Hill is highly complementary to our district-scale Yarrie Lithium Project, and we see this as a terrific opportunity to expand our footprint in areas that have a high chance of exploration success. We look forward to keeping our shareholders and investors updated as we progress.”
Askari Metals also notes that historical exploration at the Myrnas Hill project was focused on gold and base metal potential, which presents a ‘significant’ opportunity for the company to implement a lithium-focused exploration model, similar to that used in its Yarrie Lithium Project.
However, certain areas of the project tenement are reported to be covered by windblown soils that obscure the geology, resulting in a variation of depth of each sample.
As of 12:05pm (AEST), Aksari Metal’s share price had increased by 6.25%.
The company’s Myrnas Hill project is located 45km northwest of rapidly growing lithium explorer Global Lithium Resources’ (ASX:GL1) Archer Lithium deposit, which contains a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 10.5Mt at 1.0% Li2O. The project covers a total land area of about 35km-square, which is considered ‘highly prospective’ for hard-rock lithium-tin-tantalum (Li-Sn-Ta) mineralisation and boasts the same host lithology as the Archer Lithium deposit.
With both of the field exploration activities now underway, Askari Metals announces the information generated will be utilised to design follow-up exploration programs, including potential aircore (AC) and reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
Images: Askari Metals Ltd
