Mallina Spodumene Mineralisation Extend, New High-Grade Zone
Brisbane, Feb 17, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Sayona Mining Limited (
ASX:SYA) (DMNXF:OTCMKTS) ("Sayona" or the "Company") is pleased to report the assay results from its first phase of sampling at the Mallina project, located in the worldclass Pilgangoora lithium district of Western Australia.
Highlights
- Assay results extends known lithium mineralisation; 5 spodumene pegmatites identified within 1km2 area
- Rock results up to 3.47% Li2O in newly identified pegmatite
- Orientation soils show strong anomaly to 1.12% Li2O over discovery spodumene pegmatite
- Much of the Pegmatite swarm and general tenement area remains untested by any previous lithium exploration
- Statutory approvals to allow drill testing commencing
Sample and mapping results have:
- Identified five lithium mineralised spodumene bearing pegmatites up to 3.75% Li2O located within a 1 km2 zone (see Figure 1 in the link below);
- These pegmatites form part of a larger pegmatite swarm and have elevated cesium-rubidium-tantalum, typical of fractionated LCT rare metal pegmatites;
- Pegmatites are typically poorly exposed and contacts with country rock are not visible and true thickness is not known. It is anticipated further detailed traversing will identify additional mineralisation;
- Orientation soil geochemistry over the Discovery pegmatite has returned up to 10,120ppm (1.01%) Li2O in the coarse soil fraction. Results indicate soil geochemistry may be an effective exploration method to test the large areas of soil cover within the tenement; and
The 140 km2 tenement forms part of the recently completed Option agreement with Great Sandy Pty Ltd, comprising 871 km2 of tenure that complements Sayona's additional 1,047 km2 lithium exploration portfolio in the Pilbara region.
Corey Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, commented "The Company is very encouraged by the new assay results from both the soil and rock chip programs. Exploration will continue with a focus on outlining potential drill targets as soon as possible on a number of the prospective targets identified from the current exploration program".
Soil and Rock Chip Sampling Program
Recent reconnaissance and mapping within the Mallina tenement area has focused around the Discovery pegmatite area, with 93 rock and 66 soil geochemical samples collected (see figure 1 and Appendix 1 in the link below).
The Discovery pegmatite is an albite-spodumene pegmatite mapped over 500 metres of strike extent with rock chip assays up to 2.13% Li2O (see ASX release, 21 December, 2016).
The Company's recent work has identified four previously unknown lithium mineralised spodumene pegmatites, which form part of an extensive swarm of pegmatites. The eleven rock samples collected over the Discovery pegmatite returned an average of 1.48% Li2O, with all of the samples collected to date in this 500 metres plus strike length target (21 rocks samples) averaging 1.35% Li2O. The pegmatite is weathered, in part silicified and has poor outcrop, typically visible over widths of 3 to 5 metres and up to 8 metres, but without the contacts to adjacent greenstone rocks being observed. The true width of the structure is not yet known.
West of the Discovery pegmatite, two other areas of lithium mineralised pegmatites have been identified, with rock samples returning up to 2.65% Li2O. These pegmatites are also poorly outcropping, but can be traced intermittently over several hundred metres of strike extent. Additional traversing in this area is planned to more fully understand the extents of the mineralisation.
Significantly, a single pegmatite outcrop, located 900 metres to the south of the Discovery pegmatite was identified and sampled, returning an assay of 3.47% Li2O. This area has very poor outcrop and further reconnaissance and sampling will be undertaken to try to define the extents to the mineralisation. The results do however, indicate the potential of the area to host additional mineralised pegmatites. These targets may lie under shallow soil cover.
An orientation soil geochemical programme was undertaken over the known discovery pegmatite. Results to 5,230ppm Li (1.12% Li2O) were returned from the coarse soil fraction, indication further sampling could be an effective test of the covered portions of the tenement.
Next steps
Further reconnaissance, mapping and rock sampling is planned in follow up to the strong mineralisation identified to date. Work will focus in the area of newly discovered spodumene pegmatites as well as traversing the unexplored remainder of the tenement area. This work will be complemented by systematic soil geochemistry, to be carried out with the aim of identifying targets under shallow cover. Work will commence as soon as possible, once access after the recent flooding is possible. Work to progress statutory approval to allow drill testing of the targets has commenced.
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About Elevra Lithium Limited
Elevra Lithium Limited (ASX:ELV) (NASDAQ:ELVR) is North America's largest hard-rock lithium producer with a diversified portfolio of high-quality assets across Quebec Canada, the United States, Ghana and Western Australia.
Our flagship operation, the North American Lithium (NAL) mine in Quebec, Canada has successfully ramped up production of spodumene concentrate, supported by ongoing operational enhancements to increase recovery rates, throughput, and mill utilisation. Following a Mineral Resource upgrade, Elevra completed a Scoping Study for a brownfield expansion to increase NAL's annual spodumene concentrate production and reduce unit operating costs.
Complementing NAL, the Moblan Lithium Project in northern Quebec represents one of the largest undeveloped spodumene resources in North America, with a Mineral Resource of 121 Mt @ 1.19% Li2O.
Development activities are progressing with feasibility studies targeting a large-scale, long-life operation capable of supplying both domestic and international markets.
In Western Australia, Elevra holds an extensive portfolio of lithium and gold tenements, where exploration programs are advancing to unlock additional growth opportunities. Meanwhile, in the United States, our Carolina Lithium Project offers a strategic foothold in the downstream lithium chemicals market and our project in Ghana provides a further option for future growth.
Looking ahead, Elevra is focused on strategic downstream partnerships to enable further value-added lithium production, positioning the Company to deliver a secure, sustainable supply of critical minerals to global customers. Together, these assets establish Elevra as a growth-focused supplier supporting the global energy transition.
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