ASKARI METALS LIMITED Askari Metals Limited announced results of the recently completed field reconnaissance program at the Company's 100% owned Barrow Creek Lithium Project in the Central Northern Territory's Arunta Pegmatite Province. The program targeted an area in the south-central part of the Project and was aimed at pegmatites previously untested for lithium mineralisation but with lithologies analogous to those in the north-west and south-east area of the Barrow Creek project. The Company has identified fertile LCT pegmatite in these analogous areas stretching over 4.8km by 3.8km, as well as an anomalous area in the south-east revealing lithium grades of up to 212 ppm Li (456 ppm Li2O).
Results from the program identified prospectivity for Rare Earth Elements (REE), with Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) results of up to 4553 ppm. The highly anomalous REE results are very encouraging, especially at a time when the world is facing REE supply deficits and supply chain issues. The Barrow Creek Pegmatite Complex trends in a north-westerly direction across the south-central project area, which includes relatively inaccessible terrain.
The Company identified medium to very coarse-grained pegmatites containing potassium feldspar, plagioclase, muscovite and tourmaline. The northern portion of this area contains a large pegmatite field where pegmatites upward of 5m wide have been mapped and sampled. The mineralogy of these pegmatites is similar to that identified in the south-eastern part of the project, with potassium feldspar, plagioclase, muscovite and tourmaline being common.
The southern part of the work area is covered by sandstones and sediments of the Central Mount Stuart Formation. This area was traversed using an off-road vehicle and on foot as best as the steep terrain allowed, but no prospective pegmatites were identified. Results from the work completed were reviewed and checked for anomalism for multiple commodities and also for REE potential.
During this phase of the review, the TREO values were calculated, and several outliers were identified. The TREO formula used is TREO = La2O3 + Ce2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Y2O3 + Lu2O3. Oxides of the REE's were derived using conversion factors multiplied by the assay grade received from the lab.
Further review of the results showed the most anomalous samples were positive for both heavy and light rare earth anomalism, resulting in very elevated TREO results. Anomalism for lithium was not as pronounced in the south-central project area as in other areas investigated by the Company earlier in 2022. A minor tantalum anomalism was identified and will be included in follow-up work.
The sample results reveal a felsic to intermediate host when calculating host geology using whole rock analysis. Samples also identified a slight zinc and tantalum anomalism, but the REE review identified several highly anomalous sample results, including an outstanding result of 4553 ppm TREO (formula for TREO calculation provided in the section above). The anomalous REE (TREO) sample results obtained from the south-central field program are clustered around two large granite outcrops.
Other samples with elevated results above 500 ppm TREO were also found farther afield, signifying the potential for enlarging the REE mineralised footprint through follow-up phases of work. Follow-up work is planned to investigate further REE potential in the south-central portion of the project as well as the project as a whole. The lithium potential of the north-western and south-eastern parts of the project must also be further investigated, and Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) certificates have been applied for by the Company.
During this phase of the review, the TREO values were calculated, and several outliers were identified. The TREO formula used is TREO = La2O3 + Ce2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3.
