Infinity Mining (ASX:IMI) reports it has received 31 rock chip assays and 233 lag sampling assay results from recent geochemical sampling programs confirming four new lithium pegmatite zones on the western side of the Tambourah South tenement in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia.
A total of 31 new rock chip samples were collected along previous unsampled pegmatites in the southwest corner of the tenement.
The samples were taken from strongly weathered pegmatic material at the surface, and the majority of the samples consisted of lepidolite-albite rich or quartz-feldspar rich pegmatites.
Weathered spodumene development was identified in some samples by UV light.
Assay results returned a maximum of 1.775% Li2O with 3 samples over 1% Li2O.
Seven samples returned Rb2O over 0.2%, with a maximum of 0.521Rb2O.
These positive results complement the previous 225 rock chip samples collected on the tenement and increase the prospectivity for economic Li2O and Rb2O mineralisation within the Tambourah South tenement.
The rock chip samples also exhibit anomalous Lithium-indicator geochemistry, with up to 9,410ppm Be, 431.3ppm Cs, 159ppm Nb, and 250ppm Ta.
This anomalous geochemical assemblage matches the geochemistry obtained from the previous rock chips and continues to confirm the widespread occurrence of highly fractionalised rare-element pegmatites at Tambourah South.
A total of 233 lag samples (composite samples of surface rock float) were collected in the northwest corner of the tenement, in areas of poor pegmatite exposure, which were previously rock chip sampled by Infinity.
The samples consisted of weathered greenstone and pegmatitic rock float.
Lag sample assay results returned two samples over 1% Li2O with a maximum of 1.182% Li2O, and 15 samples over 0.1% Li2O.
The geochemically anomalous Li2O over 0.1% defined 2 areas around the known pegmatites in the southern part of the sampled area, one of which lies on a major fault zone.
A third weaker zone of patchy geochemically elevated Li2O over 0.05% was identified in the northern part of the sampled area.
The lag sample assay results also returned elevated to anomalous Li-indicator (Be, Cs, Nb, Rb, Ta) geochemistry.
These results indicate that the pegmatites could be more widespread than previously thought, and a more detailed analysis of this data is underway.
The aim is to establish an exploration method for fingerprinting poorly exposed Li-bearing pegmatite bodies concealed under thin colluvium and soil cover.
“Tambourah South is becoming a major asset for Infinity and these additional geochemical results continue to confirm this”
Infinity Mining CEO Joe Groot said these results will support a drilling program to test the depth continuity of the mineralised pegmatite units.
“Tambourah South is becoming a major asset for Infinity and these additional geochemical results continue to confirm this.
“Our technical team is looking into new geochemical and geophysical exploration methods to identify additional mineralised pegmatites concealed under thin cover.
“This subsurface information, in combination with the surface geochemical and mapping data we already have, will support a drilling program to test the depth continuity of these highly mineralised pegmatite units.”.
Infinity now has a Programme of Works in place for a total of 2,500m of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, to test the depth extensions of the mapped lithium pegmatites.
Preparatory earthworks for the drilling are planned in the near future after a Heritage Survey was carried out in conjunction with the Palyku People.
A detailed evaluation of the lag sampling results, in conjunction with a compilation of ongoing mapping is currently underway to establish the most effective exploration methodologies to apply to the wider project area, in order to identify less obvious and concealed Li-fertile pegmatites.
Infinity is also evaluating new technology geophysical techniques, as another potential exploration tool to identify concealed extensions of known Li-fertile pegmatites and deeper concealed pegmatite bodies.
Infinity also intends to re-assay selective rock samples for the full suite of 17 rare earth elements (REE) as the current geochemical results highlight strong potential for REE mineralisation, in addition to lithium.
Infinity Mining is a growing exploration and mining company which holds 100% interest in 711km-square of tenements in the Pilbara and Central Goldfields regions of Western Australia, comprising 10 exploration licences, 2 mining leases and 7 prospecting licences.
The tenements are located in ‘highly prospective’ gold-copper-lithium terranes.
Historically the Company has spent approximately $5.5 million on exploration of these tenements.
The Company’s business strategy is to develop near-term gold targets in the Central Goldfields to support the longer-term investment needed to develop the Pilbara tenements (lithium, gold and copper projects).
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