ASX-listed junior explorer Askari Metals has unveiled some sizeable lithium targets with a hyperspectral survey at its Yarrie project in the eastern Pilbara hotspot. Seven high priority targets were identified, on-ground exploration will commence as soon as possible.
The hyperspectral survey method involves using known lithium-tin-tantalum occurrences to characterise the spectral signature of potential lithium occurrences within the area.
Askari Metals Vice President Exploration and Geology, Johan Lambrechts said: “The hyperspectral survey has identified several high priority exploration targets across the Yarrie Lithium Project, and we aim to mobilise a team to test these targets as soon as possible. The prospectivity of the Yarrie Lithium Project is further underpinned by the sheer size of some of the targets, with one of the targets measuring a staggering 88 square kilometres”
To the south of the identified 88 square kilometre potential behemoth lies another sizeable and elongated target with a potential strike length of 24 kilometres and a width of up to 2km wide.
The Yarrie project covers an area of 1,711 square kilometres within the highly prospective Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is an area renowned for some of the world’s largest lithium deposits headlined by Pilbara Minerals' and Mineral Resources’ world class discoveries.
Also just over the fence exploring for the battery minerals is ASX-listed Kalamazoo Resources and its joint venture partner Chilean-based and prominent lithium producer SQM.
Historically the Yarrie project area has been explored for base and precious metals, iron, rare-earth-elements and even uranium and lithium has never been the target commodity. This leaves plenty on the table for the energised Askari to go after.
Even though there are no active or historic lithium mines within the tenement area, extensive tin-tantalum-lithium workings are located south of the project.
The company is gearing up to conduct reconnaissance sampling at Yarrie next week in addition to the sampling currently underway at its Barrow Creek lithium project.
It’s not hard to see why either with the price of battery-grade lithium dramatically launching itself upwards in the last 12 months.
Whilst Askari clearly has an additional focus on lithium now, it is not letting the dust settle at its Burracoppin gold project. The second phase of reverse circulation drilling at that project is now nearing completion. Askari says it is confident of achieving similar high-grade success encountered in the first phase.
Given the heated state of the battery minerals sector right now, some high-grade samples might just bring the pot to a boil for this junior explorer.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
By Matt Birney
