Askari Metals has completed a maiden lithium sampling program across its pegmatite targets at the company’s Red Peak Lithium project approximately 130 kilometres northwest of Meekatharra in WA. 35 samples were collected across four different mapped pegmatites for assay in addition to a petrographic analysis to assist in understanding the zonation and fractionation grade of the pegmatites.
Seven more mapped pegmatites remain untested in the Red Peak project area with follow up field sampling programs set to commence soon.
Red Peak has good road access and an array of maintained station tracks across the project area.
It comprises approximately 350 square kilometres of tenure and boasts at least 11 significant pegmatites already identified by Askari.
The company said many of the pegmatites extend over a strike length in excess of 3km and are 150m to 200m in width.
Lithium is not the only valuable commodity hidden within Red Peaks pegmatite project with uranium occurrences sitting on the faults immediately to the east with rare earths to the west of the project.
A follow up rock and soil sampling program is already in planning to methodically cover each of the pegmatite swarms at Red Peak.
Askari says the Red Peak project area has previously seen exploration efforts focussed only on gold or base metals with previous lithium exploration basically non-existent.
Pegmatite emplacement within the surrounding granitic gneiss has been allowed thanks to the presence of multiple faults that spread across the Red Peak project area. The faults, in addition to the pegmatites themselves, will be the primary focus of future lithium exploration for Askari.
Importantly, the Geological Survey of Western Australia completed a 1:100,000 scale map of the Red Peak project area that Askari says correlates well with observations made in the field.
Askari Metals’ Vice President of Exploration, Johan Lambrechts said: “Following the recent pegging of the Red Peak project the Company swiftly mobilised a team to conduct an initial reconnaissance field program, visiting four of the large pegmatite areas and validating the historic mapping.”
“ This reconnaissance program was designated as a brief visit to get a better overall feel for the extent of the pegmatites and has enabled us to design a comprehensive follow on field program at this exciting project. A main objective of the sampling program will be to representatively sample each of the eleven mapped pegmatites and determine the zonation of the pegmatites and identify the lithium hotspots for future exploration campaigns.”
There is a “pegmatite rush” on in WA and around the world right now and Askari’s identification of a number of decent sized pegmatites on its ground puts it a step ahead of the pack of hopefuls – any sniff of colour and grade from Askari’s pegmatites and things could get interesting quickly for the $9m market capped company.
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