Focus Xplore PLC provided an update on the Phase One exploration activities focused on rare earth element ("REE") and lithium prospective pegmatites at the Bay Road, Iva, Oba, Ellie, Pearl and Burrows projects located in Ontario, Canada. Rock chip samples from the Bay Road, IVA, Oba and Ellie projects were submitted to AGAT Laboratories in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Results from pegmatite and granite samples show that Bay Road and Iva have elemental ratios and values consistent with moderate levels of fractionation within locally enriched, or "fertile" granites.
The presence of enriched granites is a key indicator for the formation of the target lithium and rare earth element ("REE") pegmatite systems and the Company considers the identification of this enrichment is an encouraging development for ongoing exploration. This residual molten rock may become enriched in these elements, sometimes to levels where they can form economically valuable minerals. By measuring the concentrations of elements like lithium and REE in rock samples, geologists can assess how enriched or "fractionated" a granite is.
In general, the more fractionated the granite or pegmatite, the greater the potential for hosting economic concentrations of lithium, REE and other critical minerals. Phase One activities completed at the Bay Road REE project and at the Iva, Oba,Ellium, Pearl and the Burrows lithium projects included mapping and prospecting with data collected at 226 stations.egmatites were identified at six locations at Bay Road, at nine locations at Iva and at nine locations at Oba1. A total of 110 samples (26 of which were identified as pegmatites) were collected with 73 samples submitted to AGAT Laboratories for whole-rock analysis.
Analyses were also made using a handheld portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer ("pXRF") to give an approximate of elemental ratios and assess the level of fractionation. Samples collected also display locally elevated concentrations of caesium, gallium, barium and yttrium which further support the presence of fertile granite. Laboratory results have not demonstrated economical concentrations of REE.
The Company considers the laboratory results from the limited field work to date to be indicative of a fractionated granite to be targets for future exploration and a review of work to date is underway. Iva Project: Historically mapped pegmatites and newly inferred pegmatites interpreted from LiDAR survey data, were targeted as being prospective for lithium mineralisation6. Lake sediment assays collected by the Ontario Geological Survey demonstrate regionally anomalous lithium and caesium results located in close proximity to mapped and inferred pegmatites further supported investigation for the presence of LCT-style mineralisation.
Nine pegmatites were located and sampled in this initial phase of fieldwork. Two pegmatite samples presented highly fractionated 2 Rb/Sr ratios, of between 8 and 20, and a further five indicated moderate to high levels of fractionation. Next STEPS At Bay Road and Iva, the Company is reviewing options for supplementary fieldwork.
This will follow a comprehensive analysis of the recent laboratory results, a reassessment of historical data and the initial AI prospectivity modelling. A further goal is to refine the exploration strategy across the entire portfolio. At the Pearl Project, Focus Xplore is planning a new phase of exploration in the western part of the project area, a zone that has not yet been accessed.
LiDAR survey data indicates a high concentration of pegmatites 8 in this area, which lacks any known historical mapping or sampling. Separately, at the White Pine 9 uranium project, the technical team is preparing to start the next phase of fieldwork. Canadian Mineralogist, 23, pp.381-420.
