Eclipse Metals (ASX: EPM) has identified ‘highly-anomalous’ lithium concentrations following grab sampling campaigns at the Ivigtut and Gronnedal-Ika prospects within its Ivittuut Project in Greenland.
The results, generated from the company’s first lithium grab sampling work at the prospects, have returned Li2O grades of up to 430ppm, further highlighting the polymetallic nature of the historic mine.
Addressing the results, Eclipse Metals Executive Chairman Carl Popal said: “Our grab sampling program at Ivigtut has identified cryolithionite, a lithium-bearing fluoride mineral that was first identified at the historic Ivigtut mine in the early 1900s.
“While cryolithionite was known to exist at Ivigtut, previous operators had no interest in lithium and, therefore, did not assay for it”
While cryolithionite was known to exist at Ivigtut, previous operators had no interest in lithium and, therefore, did not assay for it. The recognition of highly anomalous lithium is an exciting step in our work and provides us with greater understanding of the complex, multi-commodity mineralisation at Ivigtut.”
Eclipse believes that these results provide further insight and understanding of the multi-commodity mineralisation at Ivigtut, however more systematic sampling and drilling is required to better constrain lithium potential at the project.
The company also notes that the results point to further potential for defining rare earths, precious and base metal resources within the project area.
The Ivittuut Project is located in southwest Greenland, with Eclipse owning 100% of the project tenements. It is also the world’s largest and only known source of naturally-occurring cryolite.
Historical mineral exploration at the project included approximately 19,000m of diamond drilling over a period of 120 years before initially closing in 1987.
With sample grabbing campaigns now complete, Eclipse reports that further work is required at Ivittuut to better understand which minerals carry anomalous lithium.
Images: Eclipse Metals Ltd
