Australian-based exploration company Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) reports it has identified ‘high-grade’ spodumene hosted lithium (Li2O) mineralisation within ‘extensive’ pegmatites following reconnaissance exploration at the Uis Lithium-Tantalum-Tin Project in Namibia.
The results, generated by 196 rock chip samples, demonstrate the ‘high-grade’ nature of the LCT-style pegmatites hosted within the project, returning grades of up to 2.1% Li2O, with other ‘high-grade’ samples including 1.1% Li2O, 0.92% Li2O, 0.83% Li2O and 0.79% Li2O.
It is also reported that results indicate the presence of ‘high-grade’ tin (Sn), tantalum (Ta) and rubidium (Rb) mineralisation, with grades including 1.3% Sn, 658ppm Ta and 4,214ppm Rb.
The recent initial reconnaissance program was conducted in an area host to numerous exposed pegmatites and several old mine workings where the pegmatites were historically mined for tin or semi-precious stones.
Speaking on the results, Askari Metals Vice President of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts said: “Our initial reconnaissance exploration program has validated the field observations and confirmed the ‘high-grade’ nature of the LCT-type pegmatites at the Uis project. We have encountered numerous historical mine workings with an abundance of altered/weathered spodumene and lepidolite mineralisation at surface. The grades are high and the workings in many cases are extensive, offering immediate drilling targets.
The strategic location of the Uis project within 2.5km of an operating battery metals mine demonstrates the potential of our project. We have now proven that it hosts strike extensions of the same mineralised lithologies as the mine next door and offers Askari Metals ‘significant’ exposure to the battery metals sector.
“We have encountered numerous historical mine workings with an abundance of altered/weathered spodumene and lepidolite mineralisation at surface.”
The company is confident that the Uis project has all the traits necessary for future economic success…The future is bright and we look forward to keeping our shareholders informed as we progress.”
The company also notes that the high percentage of samples with high lithium results in the oxide zone correlates well with the visual lithium mineralisation identified in the field, which indicates lithium mineralisation potential below the surface within the project.
In addition, it is reported that ‘significant’ upside remains on the unexplored pegmatite outcrops that are yet to be drill tested.
Askari Metal’s Uis project is located less than 2.5km from the operating Uis mine owned by African-based AfriTin Mining, which hosts a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 71.54Mt at 0.63% Li2O, 0.134% Sn and 85ppm Ta. The project is currently under due diligence from Askari Metals and is hoped to make up part of the company’s ‘attractive’ portfolio of lithium, copper, gold and copper-gold exploration/mineral resource development projects.
With the initial phase of reconnaissance exploration activities complete, Askari Metals announces it will move forward with the first phase of drilling at the Uis project, which is scheduled to commence in the next 5 days.
Images: Askari Metals Ltd
