Askari locks onto more NT lithium

Results from Askari Metals’ recent soil sampling program have grown the extent of mineralisation at the company’s Barrow Creek lithium project in the NT’s Arunta pegmatite province. The mineralised zone containing multiple lithium-caesium-tantalum type pegmatites has now been extended to an area of 2.8km by 1.9km and remains open in all directions.

The results come from the second phase of the detailed soil sampling campaign completed in the northwest area of the 278 square kilometre project. The work was designed to test the surface extension of the outcropping pegmatites and identify a mineralised trend that could be used to guide further exploration.

The results show a close correlation between zones of elevated lithium, caesium and tantalum in addition to anomalous levels of the battery metal’s related pathfinder elements such as tin, rubidium and niobium.

The work with the geochemical anomalies has indicated the mineralisation follows a west-northwest trend ­– a revelation that will be very important to the company’s design of future exploration programs.

Askari argues the results demonstrate the company is exploring the right geological formations and adds more weight to the belief its project has the hallmarks of a significant lithium discovery in a heavily under-explored region.

A total of 347 samples were collected in a grid spacing of 400m by 50m and focused on areas associated with a fertile pegmatite zone identified during the first phase of exploration where preliminary results yielded up to 817 parts per million lithium oxide.

Notably, significant surface strike extensions of the fertile pegmatite zones identified in the first phase have been made.

Askari Metals Vice President of Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts says: “We set out to identify surface extensions and trends of lithium mineralisation and achieved both objectives. This data will help the company design the next steps in our exploration plan for the tenement, which includes an inaugural drilling campaign.”

The explorer also collected a considerable number of rock samples from within the reaches of its soil survey with the results expected shortly.

Askari says significant exploration potential remains in areas outside of the mineralisation delineated within the northwest zone and that it is still awaiting the results from its work in the southeast area of the project where extensive pegmatites were identified and sampled earlier in the year.

Whilst the company plans to continue investigating its ground, the permits for its first RC drilling campaign have already been submitted and are awaiting approval.

In addition to Barrow Creek, Askari holds another two other lithium projects in Western Australia.

Interestingly a report from the International Energy Agency suggests that the expected supply from existing mines and projects under construction is estimated to meet only half of the projected lithium requirements by 2030.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au