Global Battery Metals Ltd. announced multiple drill targets and the potential discovery of up to six LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatite dikes extending across a prospective lithium trend at Prospecting Licence Area 1597 ("PLA 1597"), have now been identified through the return of favourable test results at its Leinster Lithium Project. Following the previously reported identification of a lithium bearing spodumene pegmatite surface boulder train on PLA 1597, key updates include: A detailed deep overburden (base of till) program was recently completed for a total of 373 samples covering an area of 600m x 450m over the location of an extensive Spodumene pegmatite float boulder train and an associated historically reported trenched bedrock occurrence; The interpreted geochemical results indicate the potential discovery of up to 6 LCT (lithium -tantalum) pegMatite dikes across the Knockeen target area; Follow-up drill program plans, currently calling for up to nine drill pads are being finalized; ALS Laboratories (Loughrea, Ireland) analysis included comprehensive testing for a specific suite of elements which includes lithium as well as multiple rare earth elements of which cesium and tantalum are typically associated with this type of LCT Pegmatite target; Drilling permit submissions are being finalized and will be submitted to the governmental regulatory body as part of the due process for standard screening procedures for drilling programs in Ireland and Europe; and A local area drill contractor's availability has been secured and will be mobilized as soon as the permitting is completed. Exploration to date has included surface lithogeochemical sampling with an associated detailed deep overburden sampling grid - both yielding excellent results and when combined potentially confirming the presence of multiple LCT pegmatite dikes below surface at the Knockeen target on PLA 1597. The pegmatite dikpegmatite dikes which
range in thickness and cross cut the granitic and metasedimentary host rocks. The dikes are typically composed of Spodumene (lithium aluminium silicate in the pyroxene family) as well as accessory minerals including quartz, feldspars and micas. While the lithium content of the samples collected to date are at very significant grades, the supporting trace element geochemistry of the other elements including the Rare Earth Elements (REEs) that occur naturally at very low levels are very important and significant indicators providing corroborative evidence for the presence of the dikes. The Knockeen Prospect has now reached a significant confidence level to plan a staged diamond core drilling program to test the six anomalous geochemical trends. The drill program parameters are being finalized, including plans accounting for up to nine drill pad locations, and discussions are in hand with a drilling contractor. The drilling screening process has commenced with the governmental regulatory body. This process is a standard procedure for all drill programs in Ireland and across Europe. During the recent and ongoing fieldwork, a total of 66 rock samples were collected and analysed. Assay results of the samples by ALS Laboratories reported Li2O% lithium contents ranging up to 3.75 % Li2O as reported in the press release date January 18, 2023.
In conjunction with this work the detailed grid comprising of 373 deep overburden (base of till) samples were collected over a closely spaced sample grid over 600m x 450m covering the area of the historical trench as well as the spodumene pegmatite float boulders. The results have been very encouraging and the multi-elemental results have been interpreted to show up to six clear linear anomalous trends which are anomalous in lithium, as well as the supporting REE elements of cesium and tantalum which combine to indicate the potential presence of LCT signature pegmatite dykes at shallow depths of between 1m - 7m below ground surface. The area of the exploration is centred on a locality where a forty-year-old historical company report described a trench excavated at Knockeen Townland which uncovered in bedrock, a 1.8m wide spodumene-bearing pegmatite vein. However, no detailed laboratory assays or geological maps of the trench were reported at that time.