ASX-listed Askari Metals could be onto lithium at its Barrow Creek project in the Northern Territory after a hyperspectral remote sensing survey unveiled a string of high priority exploration targets. According to the company, its newly acquired land in the Arunta Pegmatite Province is highly prospective for lithium-tin-tantalum mineralisation and is proximal to ground held by a number of the industry’s big-hitters including Core Lithium and the $343 billion capped Chinese monolith Lithium Plus.
The Perth-based outfit said several targets really stood out in the remote airborne hyperspectral data, which is a type of exploration tool that gathers and processes data from all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The goal of hyperspectral imaging in the mineral exploration space is to detect and identify specific minerals.
Askari says the system used at Barrow captured satellite imagery across the project by interrogating minerals associated with Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum, or “LCT” pegmatites including feldspar and mica. The analysis resulted in the generation of mineralisation target maps.
The company will now complete on-ground exploration to field test its high-priority exploration targets and says the targets correlate strongly with known outcropping pegmatites identified in an earlier field reconnaissance visit.
Askari Metals Executive Director, Gino D'Anna said:“The results of the hyperspectral survey have identified numerous high priority exploration targets across the NW tenement area. Multiple outcropping pegmatites have also been identified elsewhere across the project area. Our aim is to mobilise a team to the field as soon as possible to field test these exploration targets.”
Askari looks to be making quick work of its Barrow Creek lithium project, having only recently put its hands on the sought-after parcel of lithium ground following an oversubscribed $2.6 million capital raise.
The newly acquired project spans 278 square kilometres and is located in a region recognised for large pegmatite swarms with potential for hard-rock spodumene-bearing lithium mineralisation. In what will bode well for Askari, other miners have described the Arunta Pegmatite Province as one of the largest pegmatite provinces in central Northern Territory.
The Barrow Creek lithium project is one of three recent Australian-based lithium pickups by Askari and it has positioned the company as a major landholder in the lithium industry. The Yarrie lithium project in the Eastern Pilbara area and the Red Peak lithium project in Meekatharra round out Askari’s growing battery metals portfolio.
Askari’s discovery couldn’t have come at a better time, with interest in all things lithium reaching fever pitch and a seemingly insatiable appetite developing around the globe for electric vehicles.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au
