Pioneer Lithium (ASX:PLN) has secured a prospecting licence, covering 815km2, in southern Botswana consistent with the region’s geological settings and previously identified resource.
The newly granted Botsalano Project lays along the southern border between Botswana and South Africa with access to infrastructure. The inferred ring structure and associated breccia structures intruded into a sandstone host is an ideal geological environment to host uranium mineralisation.
Pioneer Lithium, which has a market capitalisation of $6.21 million, intends to compile all available historical exploration and geophysical data relevant to the project area and surrounds. This includes analysis of the section of the Bostalano Ring Complex in South Africa.
A targeted field program will focus on uncovering and validating uranium-bearing strata through systematic sampling transects in areas across the project area.
Rock chip and grab samples will be collected and analysed using multi-element methodologies at an accredited laboratory.
Based on the results obtained, a detailed geological investigation will aim to delineate the strike length and thickness of favourable horizons and uncover the target geological models.
A drilling plan will also be developed to test the significance of any uranium mineralisation to define the project’s potential.
CEO Michael Beven says adding Botsalano adds to the growing portfolio of the company’s uranium projects and reinforces its goal to become a global provider of critical minerals.
“The project’s uranium potential is supported by its past ownership by UraMin Inc, which was acquired by Orano for £1.8 billion ($3.69 million) in 2007, reflecting strong historical confidence in the region’s geological prospectivity,” Beven says.
“Multiple styles of uranium mineralisation are prospective including breccia hosted uranium mineralisation as seen elsewhere in brecciated iron oxide flooded environments and leucogranites like those found in Namibia at the Rossing Mine and Pioneers Warmbad assets.”
Headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, Pioneer Lithium is a mineral explorer focused on its portfolio of projects across Ontario and Québec, Canada.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Pioneer Lithium
