Matsa Resources (ASX: MAT) has applied for a series of 65 new Special Prospecting Licence Applications totalling 942km² over key granite and pegmatite belts in Thailand.
The new licenses, which are reported by Thailand’s Department of Minerals and Resources to host lithium occurrences, are situated across the same belt where Pan Asia Limited (ASX:PAM) has reported promising exploration results from its Reung Kiet and Bang I Tum prospects.
Speaking on the news, Matsa Resources chairman Paul Poli said: ”Thailand has always been a place of special interest to Matsa and we always understood its excellent geological prospectivity, but had to be patient whilst the country matured their mining legislation and consent processes. We have observed substantial progress in this area over the last 6 months and authorities have now been positively engaging with miners. This is clearly evident through Kingsgate recommencing mining at their Chatree Gold Mine and even further afield, the success of Pan Asia with their lithium discoveries.
“Matsa sees enormous opportunities in exploration for lithium, gold and base metals, not only because of the highly prospective geology, but also the economic ramifications of Thailand’s close location to China”
Matsa sees enormous opportunities in exploration for lithium, gold and base metals, not only because of the highly prospective geology, but also the economic ramifications of Thailand’s close location to China. The two countries are now directly linked by rail which could have positive economic benefits to any mine development within the region.
I see Thailand as an emerging mining frontier where tier one discoveries are bound to be made and with the change of attitude to mining it will be a great exploration destination. Our Thailand office, led by our Thailand Managing Director Mr Ratha Kheowhamseang, is taking advantage of this changing environment and using Matsa’s extensive Thailand experience and knowledge to build a high value exploration portfolio that will complement Matsa’s highly regarded Lake Carey Gold Project.”
The licenses are situated in western Thailand, primarily in the Phang Nga province which has traditionally been considered a ‘prolific’ source of tin. The area’s granite composition is considered prospective for lithium and includes a pegmatite at Khao Po which has been described as the “largest unzoned lepidolite (lithium mica) pegmatite in the world”.
Map displaying the significant Khao Po pegmatite in relation to Matsa tenementsThe company notes that lithium exploration is relatively new in Thailand, presenting opportunity to to identify and sample ‘zoned pegmatite’ that may host high-grade lithium as the geological setting moves further away from the pegmatite/granite core towards the margins of the intrusive system.
Planning is already underway to carry out sampling work across the new licences in a bid to identify lithium-bearing pegmatites for drill testing.
Images: Matsa Resources Limited
