Multi-element explorer Tambourah Metals has been granted two tenements prospective for lithium, solidifying its Russian Jack project, 40km south of Nullagine in WA.
The dual grant secures nearly half the intended final package, with the rest still under application. The company notes more than 320 square kilometres of the underexplored Split Rock super-suite is captured within the final project boundaries.
Tambourah says extensive outcropping pegmatites, felsic intrusives and quartz veining delineated by Western Australian Geological Survey mapping remain untested.
In its preliminary stages of reviewing historical data, the company found reports of geochemical sampling yielding anomalous values of up to 72 parts per million lithium and 42ppm rubidium within its newly granted western block.
Yet, the project’s centrepiece application may appear more appealing, with historical reports of rock chip samples within pegmatites of up to 200ppm lithium oxide.
Putting forth evidence of the prospective nature of its ground, Tambourah points to a duo of nearby tin-tantalum-lithium historical workings. The old Bonney Downs prospect is located within the same geological unit that exists within Tambourah’s newly held land.
In addition, the previously worked Twin Wells Alluvial prospect is 5km west of Tambourah’s new tenement.
Management says the ongoing review continues to highlight prospectivity for pegmatite hosted mineralisation such as lithium, tin and tantalum.
Importantly the company says, an aboriginal heritage agreement has been signed by the Palyku Group, giving exploration the greenlight.
Whilst there is limited sampling data and seemingly no drilling to go off, Tambourah initially plans to follow up the historical stream sediment samples presenting elevated lithium.
A planned regional work program will focus on generating priority targets with mapping, soil and rock chip sampling. In addition, hyperspectral data is being compiled for this underexplored area of the East Pilbara.
Tambourah Metals Executive Chairperson, Rita Brooks said: “Plans to commence on ground exploration activities are in progress aimed to identify additional pegmatite hosted targets across our extensive portfolio. Tambourah aims to add these target areas at Russian Jack to our drilling programs as we actively progress exploration for gold and critical minerals.”
Forty kilometres to the northwest, ASX-listed Thor Mining has also netted itself a package of rocks, believing it be highly prospective for lithium. Specifically, the competing explorer trumpets the two world-class lithium deposits, Wodgina and Pilgangoora formed close – in age and proximity - to the Split Rock super-suite.
The news of Tambourah’s granted tenements appeared to raise a pleased eyebrow or two with the West Australian explorer’s share price up seven per cent in intraday trading.
Having been given the go-ahead, Tambourah will be eager to get its boots on the ground and see what lies beneath at its new tenements.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
