Si6 Metals has kicked off a regional exploration program across its 100 per cent owned Botswanan assets. The initial work will include soil and rock sampling as well as geological mapping and aims to define targets for follow-up ground geophysics and possibly drill testing.
In Botswana, Si6 is exploring for base and precious metals within the Limpopo mobile belt – a district known for hosting major nickel and copper producing operations.
The company’s portfolio contains an advanced resource at the Maibele North prospect of 2.36 million tonnes at 0.72 per cent nickel and 0.21 per cent copper in addition to high-grade copper-silver discoveries at Airstrip and Dibete.
The Maibele North, Airstrip and Dibete prospects are located on joint venture tenements where Si6 holds a 60 per cent interest. They are surrounded by the company’s wholly-owned tenements. Importantly, the three prospects only cover less than 10 per cent of its total 2000 square kilometre tenement package in Botswana.
In the leadup to drilling, the explorer has been conducting geological reviews on its wholly-owned Botswanan assets where it says “numerous high quality, early-stage base and precious metal exploration prospects exist”.
Si6 has joined forces with the University of Botswana to regionally review the company’s portfolio for pegmatite-hosted mineralisation which includes highly sought-after lithium.
The company says in reviewing its portfolio, it has identified the potential for pegmatite-hosted and rare earth element mineralisation.
Si6 Metals Executive Chairman, Patrick Holywell says: “With this exploration program now underway we are well placed to continue building momentum at our Botswanan assets following the completion of our latest geological review. This program will further define the key target areas across our 100%-owned tenure and prepare the Company for the next phase of exploration work which may include drill testing.”
Encouragingly, Si6 points to recent corporate activity adjacent to its tenure as confirmation of its prospectivity and potential. Premium Nickel Resources recently announced it has acquired the Selebi and Selebi north nickel-cobalt-copper mines within 5km south of Si6’s 100 per cent owned holding.
The regional exploration will commence at the Maibele East and Mashambe prospects that both lie along strike to the north-east of the Maibele North resource.
The ongoing program aims to develop priority targets to drill-ready status, with most of the regional targets having a record of first pass exploration including soil sampling, mapping and geophysical surveys.
Si6 says the prices of nickel and copper have enjoyed “strong periods” and it views the demand outlook for both metals as “increasingly positive”.
With its portfolio corner stoned by a trio of advanced prospects, there is still plenty of ground left to explore for Si6 and it is spoilt for choice in this mineral-rich region.
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By Matt Birney
