Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL) has now settled its acquisition of a controlling 50.03% interest in the Blesberg lithium-tantalum project located in South Africa.
Management of AVL recently attended a variety of meetings with stakeholders in Johannesburg, Cape Town and on site at the Blesberg Mine.
During the visit to the Blesberg Mine preliminary exploration activities were completed, including ground reconnaissance for potential extensions of the Blesberg mine pegmatites
Other activities included soil sampling and verifying accessibility for drilling rigs to potential drill hole locations.
Numerous untested pegmatites including a 500 metre extension to the Blesberg Mine pegmatite identified from ground surveys.
The company intends commencing a reverse circulation and diamond drilling program at Blesberg as soon as possible.
Blesberg project
The Blesberg Project is located 80 kilometres north of Springbok on the western end of the Northern Cape pegmatite belt.
The deposit is one of the largest known economically mineralised and exploited pegmatite deposits in the belt.
Mining at Blesberg commenced in 1925 when it was worked mainly for bismuth.
The main pegmatite at the Blesberg mine is referred to as Noumas I and is the site of the most extensive excavation from historical mining activities
Six of the spodumene samples collected as part of the due diligence reported lithium contents of between 1.27% and 6.42% lithium oxide.
Newly identified pegmatites
Recently conducted field work at Blesberg has identified a zone up to 50 metres in width of outcropping pegmatite which is interpreted to be an extension of the main pegmatite in the open cut.
The outcropping pegmatite extends 500 metres from the base of the existing Blesberg Hill before disappearing underneath the surrounding sand plain cover.
This represents excellent potential for shallow extensions to lithium mineralisation evident in the nearby open cut.
Furthermore, wider exploration identified significant pegmatite occurrences, similar to the main Blesberg orientation, over a 2 kilometre strike length.
2017 work program
AVL has already appointed an experienced international field geologist residing in Cape Town to manage the exploration activities at the Blesberg Mine.
This appointment should ensure drilling will commence in the first quarter of 2017.
Apart from drilling holes beneath the historical Blesberg mine workings, several holes will be drilled on the sand plain to test the outcropping pegmatite identified during the site visit.
Other activities to be undertaken in 2017 will include:
- Mapping and sampling of additional pegmatite zones across the Prospecting Right area;
- Evaluation of all potential economic minerals present at Blesberg, including feldspar, tantalum, beryl, caesium and lithium potential;
- Determination of an accurate exploration target at Blesberg (including the main Noumas I pegmatite and adjacent pegmatite bodies); and
- Volumetric and analytical assessment of the current dump and ramp material at Blesberg.
Analysis
The Blesberg project expands on AVL’s vertical integration strategy which to date has focused on vanadium.
The project broadens the company’s strategic focus to encompass the wider energy storage minerals market.
The move offers both diversification and opportunity for AVL shareholders.
Although limited production information is available, there is evidence of a 1960s shipment of 150 tonnes assaying 1.74% lithium oxide.
The mine is located close to sealed highway access and is connected on-site to grid power.
Shares in AVL are trading up 110% year to date.