United Lithium Corp (CSE:ULTH) revealed that it has received communication from the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) confirming the validity of 508 unpatented lode mining claims covering an area of 40 square kilometers at its Liberty Lithium project in western South Dakota.
The Vancouver, British Columbia-based exploration and development company said the area is recognized for historical mining of lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, particularly during and after World War II. Notably, at the time it was the second largest producer of beryllium in the United Stataes.
United Lithium said it recognized the history of production in the Black Hills pegmatite province, evaluated the opportunity, and determined that "a high probability" remains for the discovery of extensions of previously mined high-grade lithium-bearing pegmatites and new discoveries.
READ: United Lithium provides update on summer exploration activities; says additional claim staking programs in progress in the US
Currently there are several pegmatites in the region that are quarried privately to produce high quality feldspar, mica and quartz products, added the junior mining company.
When unpatented mining claims are staked in the US, especially in areas where land acquisition is competitive, the BLM reviews the timing, staking procedures and proper filing of claim notices to recognize the validity of the mining claims.
Regional rock chip geochemical sampling
Meanwhile, the company said that simultaneously with claim staking, 226 rock chip samples were collected from some of the outcropping pegmatite bodies across the claim block. The results of the sampling identified areas of high lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), tin (Sn) and caesium (Cs).
It added that plotting of assay results for key elements suggests a zoning pattern in which three domains are emerging: a central Li-Be-Sn zone, flanked by a Be-Li Zone and a K-Cs+/- Li zone, with definite areas of overlap. The historical Helen Beryl Mine, the Tip Top Mine, Tin Mountain Mine and the Lithia Lode are of interest, but new targets were also identified that require priority follow-up, explained the company.
United Lithium is a hard rock lithium explorer with projects in Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland. The group aims to be a sustainable supplier to the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery market and is also testing lithium processing technology to drive more environmentally-friendly product with higher recoveries.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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