Aurumin Ltd (ASX:AUN)’s preliminary results have identified lithium potential at its 100%-owned Mt Palmer Project, with comparable geological setting to Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX:WES)’s Mt Holland Lithium Project.
Phase 1 soil sampling is now complete with preliminary XRF results confirming the prospectivity for lithium pegmatites.
The Lithium Index has identified multiple targets, some of which are coincident with historically logged pegmatite in drilling with intercepts up to 50 metres downhole and where outcropping pegmatite has been observed from fieldwork.
Reconnaissance drilling is being planned with program of works (PoW) applications submitted.
Mt Palmer has a history of high-grade gold production, producing around 158,000 ounces at 15.9 g/t gold before ceasing commercial operations in 1944.
“Pleased with this extra dimension”
Aurumin managing director Brad Valiukas said: "Pegmatites are well known around the Mt Palmer area and they cut-off some of the gold lodes at the historical Mt Palmer mine.
“As exploration work for 2022 has a more regional focus, we have been considering other commodities.
“The recent identification of flatter lying pegmatites in the south of our tenements, analogous to those of Mt Holland, is a result of continuing to build our dataset from pre-digital records and shows the value of this work.
"We are pleased to add this extra dimension to Mt Palmer for 2022 and the program is prospective for both gold and lithium.
“Our phase 1 soil samples and associated rock chip samples are currently at the laboratory for full multi-element analysis.
“An infill (phase 2) soil sampling program, is currently in progress and we plan to undertake a reconnaissance drilling program as soon as practicable after receiving approvals.”
Ongoing compilation of historical data and desktop review of the Mt Palmer project has identified the potential for lithium mineralisation, particularly in the southern portion of the tenements around the Vickers Find South prospect.
Similarities with Mt Holland
Using historical drilling information, the review identified pegmatites within a mafic-ultramafic sequence in a geological setting analogous to the Mt Holland lithium deposit about 65 kilometres to the south of Mt Palmer.
Recent reconnaissance fieldwork in the area has confirmed the presence of pegmatite in historical drilling spoils and outcropping pegmatite on the eastern margins of the sample area.
The geological similarities between Mt Palmer and Mt Holland identified from the review include:
➢ Located within the Southern Cross-Forrestania Greenstone Belt;
➢ Pegmatites with thickness >20 metres occurring as sheets with a moderate dip;
➢ Local geology includes ultramafic units within a broader greenstone sequence;
➢ Located south of the Big Bell Suite granite intrusion;
➢ Located in the 'Goldilocks Zone' - between 1 kilometre and 4 kilometres from a granite-greenstone contact; and
➢ Located proximal to significant gold deposits.
Phase 2 ultrafine soil sampling program
A phase 2 Ultrafine soil sampling program is in progress in the same area along with geological reconnaissance and available results from that program are also reported.
Preliminary assessment of these samples using an XRF instrument has been completed by Portable Spectral Services and the results include their in-house developed Lithium Index Calibration.
The Lithium Index acts as a proxy for lithium concentrations as pXRF instruments are unable to directly detect lithium. This index has identified multiple targets, some of which are coincident with historically logged pegmatite in drilling with intercepts up to 40 metres downhole and where outcropping pegmatite has been observed from fieldwork.
The targets are between 1 and 4 kilometres from the granite-greenstone contact in an area often termed the 'Goldilocks Zone', the most favourable geological setting for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites based on zonation of these elements from a fertile granite.
All phase 1 samples have been dispatched to Labwest for Ultrafine soil sampling analysis and results are expected in around six to eight weeks.
Program of works
PoW applications have been submitted to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) for an initial reconnaissance drill program targeting areas where historical drilling has intercepted pegmatites over wide widths downhole.
Flora surveys may be required to support PoW applications.