United Lithium Corp (CSE:ULTH) has provided an update on its recent exploration activities, saying it is active on multiple high potential lithium projects in both Europe and North America, with a view to being a sustainable supplier to the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery market.
Starting with the Bergby property in Sweden, the company said since its acquisition in 2021 with new exploration claims added, 86 diamond drill holes have been completed for a total of 8,090 metres (m). This brings the total number of holes drilled on the project since 2017 to 118 diamond drill holes for a total of 9,560m.
Multiple strike extensive pegmatites have been intersected in drilling, frequently carrying spodumene mineralization. Drilling is anticipated to continue until the end of the year. Assay results from the most recent drilling are pending and are expected to be available for reporting in early 4Q 2022.
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A 2,005 line-kilometre heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey to map lithium bearing pegmatites was completed on the Bergby property in August 2022. A final report with maps is pending, which shall be released as they become available.
Liberty Lithium Project
Additional claims have recently been added to the Liberty Lithium Project in western South Dakota. Over 500 claims were initially staked on US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service administered lands, with the second phase of staking adding another 223 claims.
Assuming all claims are validated by the BLM, Vancouver-based United Lithium will control more than 723 BLM unpatented lode claims in the southern and western Black Hills of South Dakota, with abundant pegmatites throughout the claim package. Many pegmatites can be recognized on satellite imagery, highlighting their width and strike extent.
During the first phase of staking, 225 rock chip samples were collected and sent to ALS Laboratories for analysis. In the second phase of staking, an additional 117 samples were collected and sent to ALS for analysis. Results are pending.
Kietyonmaki Lithium Project
Field work commenced early this summer at the Kietyonmaki project in Finland. Several previously unrecognized pegmatites were identified on the property and sampled, with results pending. Drilling is expected to commence in 3Q 2022.
Barbara Lake
Hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years and forest fires in 2021, staffing to progress the Barbara Lake project in Canada has been difficult to secure until early this summer. A project manager has designed an exploration program with the expectation of completing a surface rock chip sampling and reconnaissance mapping program this year, followed by a diamond drilling program in 2023.
Testwork and future plans
Testwork to produce lithium hydroxide using electrodialysis has yielded positive results, United Lithium said, adding that an announcement will be made in the near term.
The company has identified other areas in the US that have high prospectivity for lithium-bearing pegmatites, or where there has been historical lithium/tantalum production from pegmatites. Additional claim staking programs are in progress and will be announced when completed and filed with the US BLM, it added.
Contact the author at susie@proactiveinvestors.com