Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAV) has started exploration at its two new lithium projects in Finland, Somero and Eräjärvi, after there were no objections from local land owners.
An initial exploration programme is expected to take 8-10 weeks and comprise mapping, surface rock chip and channel sampling that will target pegmatites with known lithium minerals.
Finland is one of the most prospective countries on mainland Europe for potential lithium discoveries, while both deposits are close to potential customers, including battery producers, Savannah said.
David Archer, chief executive, added: "We're pleased to be on the ground and evaluating these two interesting lithium projects that cover a series of documented, outcropping, lithium-bearing pegmatites in Finland, which is one of the world's premier resources jurisdictions.
Archer aims to have generated drill targets by the end of the year from the current exploration programme.
He added that lithium sourced locally will be crucial to support industrial-scale battery arrays for national grids and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles manufactured in Europe.