Junior explorer Resource Mining Corporation (ASX:RMI) has recorded assays of up to 5.26% Li2O in recently completed fieldwork at its Kola and Hirvikallio Lithium projects in Finland.
The $27.86 million market capitalisation company reports sample results from the project confirm the continuous presence of ‘high-grade’ lithium-containing pegmatite boulders from north to south across the central part of the Kola permit.
Of the 68 boulder samples collected, 52 contained more than 1% lithium, while 27 samples contained more than 2% lithium. The ‘highest’ lithium value observed was recorded in sample KL0084 with 5.26% Li2O.
Resource Mining reports boulders in this region are generally moved by glacial transportation processes, with research by Finnish Geological Services indicating that this movement has a maximum of 1.5km to 2km in a south-southeast direction from the pegmatitic source.
This points to the source of the spodumene-containing boulders likely being in the northern and central parts of the Kola permit. Field observations, analysis results, and the results of a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey allow the company to reconstruct boulder fans that vector towards the source of the pegmatites, which are under development.
Resource Mining also reports that spodumene-containing pegmatite boulders were also identified near the western border of the Kola permit.
At Hirvikallio, rock chip sampling conducted on outcropping pegmatites returned lithium grades of 4.70% Li2O, 3.79% Li2O, 3.46% Li2O, and 2.75% Li2O.
Resource Mining says these results confirm the presence of ‘high-grade’ lithium-containing pegmatites in the central and southern parts of the project. The company reports an exploration permit application over the identified lithium pegmatites is being prepared.
Commenting on the results, Resource Mining Corporation Executive Chairman Asimwe Kabunga says: “We are excited with these results that confirm the presence of high-grade lithium-bearing pegmatite boulders at Kola, up to 5.25% Li2O, and along the same trend that holds Keliber’s lithium-pegmatite deposits, which are in the neighbouring tenement.
“We look forward to the commencement of drilling within these extremely prospective regions”
As well as at Kola, we also found high-grade lithium-pegmatites up to 4.7% Li2O in the central and southern parts of the Hirvikallio Lithium Project. We look forward to the commencement of drilling within these extremely prospective regions as soon as our reservation applications are converted into exploration permits.”
Resource Mining says GeoBlast OY of Finland completed a GPR survey over the pegmatite boulder fields in the western part of the Kola tenement, with results demonstrating a depth to bedrock below the boulder fields between 8m and 11m.
Following these ‘encouraging’ results, Element92 Suomi has applied for 2 exploration permits within its existing reservation area. Element92 expects the Kikkukallio and Koyhajoki exploration permits to be granted within 4 months, with drilling planned to start as soon as Koyhajoki is granted.
Resource Mining Corporation is an independent explorer searching for battery minerals across its projects in Finland and Tanzania. The company’s portfolio includes the Kabanga North, Kapalagulu, Liparamba, Kitai, and Mbinga projects in Tanzania, as well as the Roussakero, Kola, and Hirvikallio projects in Finland.
As of 30 June 2023, Resource Mining had $873,000 cash at hand, according to its latest quarterly report published on 27 July 2023.
Write to Harry Mulholland at Mining.com.au
Images: Resource Mining Corporation Ltd
