Usha Resources Ltd (TSX-V:USHA) told investors that it identified 10 key drill targets across a 25-kilometer strike after completing five weeks of fieldwork at its White Willow Lithium Pegmatite Project west of Thunder Bay in Ontario.
The company said 837 samples have now been collected at the project and assays for 219 samples are pending receipt and analysis. From the 618 samples that have been analysed, it highlighted results of up to 0.5% lithium dioxide (Li2O), 1,730 parts per million (ppm) cesium, 120,000 ppm tantalum, and 3,450 rubidium.
In a statement, Usha Resources CEO Deepak Varshney commented: "We are thrilled with the findings from the initial programs at White Willow. As seen at Patriot Battery Metals' Corvette Project, which has over 20 kilometres of trend, lithium pegmatite swarms occur in clusters, each of which has the potential to become a deposit.”
Usha Resources said geochemical assessment also indicates the strong potential for spodumene-bearing dykes to be present at the property.
The company noted (per Selway et al.) potassium/rubidium ratios (K/Rb), are a key tool in identifying these types of dykes; K/Rb ratios of less than 30 are indicative of rare-earth pegmatites and greater than 20 of spodumene-subtype pegmatites. To date, it said 10 pegmatites have been identified with K/Rb ratios below 30 with a low of 7.5. Values below 10 are often associated with economic spodumene pegmatites.
“We now have 10 primary target areas across our 25-kilometre-plus trend that include two highly evolved LCT pegmatite swarms at Bingo and Maple Leaf,” Varshney added.
“With significant ground remaining between Bingo and Maple Leaf for further exploration and follow-up, we intend on maximizing the remaining time in the field season before commencing preparations for maiden winter drill program. The findings thus far strongly validate our belief that Willow is a flagship asset where Ontario's next major lithium discovery will occur.”
The company said it plans to drill each of these pegmatites as part of the maiden drill program scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024. It will return to the site in October to complete additional prospecting and mapping after which it will proceed with geophysical surveys to outline structures prior to commencing the drill program.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com