AfriTin Mining Ltd (AIM:ATM, OTC:AFTTF) said an exploration programme has confirmed that the ML133 licence, located about 35 km from the company's flagship Uis tin mine in Namibia, could contain significant lithium, tin and tantalum mineralisation.
The exploration programme, started in the fourth quarter of 2021, included aerial surveys, regional and high-resolution geological mapping, and surface chip sampling. The programme targeted outcropping pegmatites, many of which were found to contain lithium, tin, and tantalum, said the AIM-traded company.
"We are especially excited about these initial exploration results,” said chief executive Anthony Viljoen. “It confirms our belief that the pegmatites of the ML133 licence could contain significant lithium, tin and tantalum mineralisation.”
More than 100 pegmatites were outlined by detailed geological mapping over the licence areas of about 3,200 hectares.
Chip sample results included: 13 metres (m) at 1.93% lithium oxide, 0.10% tin, and 36 parts per million (ppm) tantalum; 24m at 1.65% lithium oxide, 0.15% tin and 52 ppm tantalum; and 20m at 0.97 % lithium oxide, 0.12% tin, and 172 ppm tantalum.
The weighted average of the 20 highest lithium grade sample lines combined provided 200m at 1.25% lithium oxide, AfriTin said.
“We intend to advance the next stage of our work programme over this area, including exploration drilling and initial metallurgical test work,” said Viljoen.
“Proximity of the test area to the Uis mine, which is our operating facility with comparable types of mineralisation, presents potential development synergies.”