Askari Metals Limited says it is targeting the acquisition of additional licences in Namibia’s Cape Cross-Uis Pegmatite belt as part of its expansion plans.
This strategic move follows Askari Metals’ recent announcement of a substantial lithium-mineralised pegmatite discovery at its flagship Uis Lithium Project in Namibia.
The discovery, boasting an impressive 1-kilometre strike length and remaining open in all directions, has injected fresh enthusiasm into the company’s exploration prospects, as stated by the Company’s Executive Director, Gino D’Anna.
“The identification of a highly lithium-mineralised outcropping pegmatite with a strike length of 1km remaining open in all directions within this corridor of interest provides the Company with an immediate focus for future exploration. This pegmatite has not been drill tested,” D’Anna said.
Moreover, Askari Metals has expanded its strategic footprint in Namibia to cover 380 square kilometres through the acquisition of EPL 7626, situated north of the Uis Tin Mine owned by Andrada Mining Limited.
To capitalise on the discovery, Askari Metals has outlined an ambitious exploration programme, set to commence in September 2023.
“There is more growth on the horizon, as we assess the acquisition of further licences within the Cape Cross-Uis Pegmatite belt, with the intention of fast-tracking exploration work,” D’Anna noted.
This comprehensive programme encompasses detailed trenching and channel sampling across the width and strike of the mineralised pegmatite, with RC and Diamond Drilling set to kick off in September 2023.
Notably, this expansion in Namibia through the acquisition of EPL 7626 fortifies Askari’s position in an area known for high-grade lithium, tantalum, tin, and rubidium mineralisation, further enhancing the potential of the Uis Lithium Project, according to D’Anna.
D’Anna highlighted the discovery at the Uis Lithium Project, describing it as a highly prospective ‘corridor of interest’ spanning 15 kilometres in length and 5 kilometres in width, covering sites EPL 7345 and EPL 8535.
Subsequently, a comprehensive re-assessment and re-interpretation of all project data revealed a clear zone of potential lithium mineralisation, complete with visible spodumene in the field.
“The pegmatites within this zone all contain characteristics typical of fertile LCT pegmatites including a high degree of fractionation and zonation, quartz cores and sugary albite textures and common lithium accessory minerals including sugary and cleavelandite varieties of albite, coloured tourmaline and green mica,” D’Anna elaborated.
Askari Metals is an Australian battery and precious metals exploration and development company focused on its portfolio of projects across Australia and Namibia, Africa.
The company currently holds the Yarrie Lithium, Hillside Lithium, Myrnas Hill Lithium, Horry Copper, Callawa Copper, Burracoppin Gold, Mt Maguire Gold and Base Metal, and Red Peak Rare Earth Element (REE) projects in Western Australia.
The company also holds the Barrow Creek Lithium Project in the Northern Territory, the Springdale Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, and the Uis Lithium Project in Namibia.