Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:ARE) has defined an extensive swarm of lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites to be explored during its field mapping and sampling program at the Higginsville Project in Western Australia.
The company has executed a new joint venture agreement (JVA) with Loded Dog Prospecting to proceed with a planned exploration of this Darson pegmatite swarm which is well located amongst numerous significant lithium resources in the Eastern Goldfields region of the southern Yilgarn Craton.
Argonaut’s initial mapping has delineated five pegmatites of up to 90 metres in thickness, situated at the margin of the Pioneer Granite.
This is a prime geological setting for the discovery of a lithium deposit being within four kilometres of the Dome North lithium pegmatite deposits and 12 kilometres of the Sinclair Caesium Mine.
Looking ahead, Argonaut is planning a reverse circulation (RC) drill program targeting lithium following the receipt of the necessary approvals.
Exploration results
Argonaut has taken rock-chip samples of outcropping pegmatites which include surrounding quartz veins and country rocks.
Although no significant lithium results were returned, the indicator elements showed very encouraging, high-order results.
It is common for LCT pegmatites in this area of WA to be zoned, with the lithium minerals being in the central zone.
These zones are broadly defined as barren, fertile and LCT Pegmatite which can be established using indicator elements and various ratios of elements.
All samples taken of the Darson South pegmatites are 'fertile' according to K/Rb vs Cs ratios.
These pathfinder results warrant traverses of angled RC drill holes to test for lithium mineralisation within these fertile outer zones.
Joint venture agreement
Under the JVA, Argonaut holds an 80% interest in exploration licence E15/1489 which hosts:
- The Darson Pegmatite Swarm;
- The Amorphous gold deposit; and
- The Footes Find gold prospect.
The JVA will pay Loded Dog $75,000 and issue $50,000 of ordinary Argonaut shares at 39 cents per share by June 28, 2022.
LCT pegmatites
Fieldwork undertaken by Argonaut during 2022 has defined an extensive swarm of LCT pegmatites which are near the margin of the Pioneer Granite.
The Pioneer Granite caused the emplacement of LCT pegmatites at the Dome North lithium deposit and at Sinclair, which was previously mined for caesium.
Five pegmatites were mapped, and these are identified as Darson North and Darson South.
The pegmatites trend (strike) about north-south, and initial outcrop mapping indicate thicknesses of up to 90 metres.
Forward plan
Follow-up, low-impact fieldwork is to be undertaken once an appropriate field crew becomes available which will involve:
- Systematic outcrop sampling of known pegmatites to better define LCT pegmatite zonation;
- The systematic traversing of the Darson prospect to identify, map and sample additional pegmatite outcrops and extensions to known outcrops;
- Soil sampling using field-based, handheld XRF analysis of samples to define Caesium and Rubidium anomalism in soils above buried LCT pegmatites.
In addition, a planned RC program is on the cards involving s east-west traverses of angled RC drill holes across known LCT Pegmatites targeting areas of high geochemical fertility
Access to the area is via the Chalice Mine access road from the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, then via a pipeline track to within 300 metres of the anticipated drill site.
Moving forward, Argonaut is preparing to seek the relevant approvals for drilling at the Darson prospect.
Zambian licence
Meantime, in Zambia, the company continues to work cooperatively with the relevant authorities to achieve the reinstatement of exploration licence 22399-HQ-LEL, Lumwana West.
Following advice from the Minister for Mines and Mineral Development, Paul Kabuswe MP, on April 27, 2022, that Argonaut’s appeal was under active consideration, the company has assisted appropriately with investigations into shortcomings and illegalities in the Governmental processes that led to the purported licence cancellation.
The company has also made presentations on the extent and quality of exploration and feasibility work completed on the project to date, as well as the company’s investment track record in Zambia.
Argonaut’s objective of completing a feasibility study into a two-phase copper/cobalt mine and processing facility at Lumwana West compliments the Zambian Government’s stated objective of greatly increasing copper production.