Emerging lithium miner
In
The recently completed Canadian NI 43-101 report (refer ASX release
In
The moves follow a strong outlook for lithium in
Sayona's Managing Director,
'We are also keen to advance exploration across our Western Australian portfolio, given favourable gold prices and the success shown by nearby explorers. These gold projects add to the potential of our lithium portfolio in the world-class
The new Tansim claims are situated on the northern and south-east flank of the project. They secure prospective areas marginal to the Reservior Decelles Batholith, a suite of monzogranite intrusions typical of the parent magma associated with spodumene bearing pegmatite systems at a worldwide scale.
The new claims also cover a similar stratigraphy to the Viau and Viau-Dallaire prospects. It is anticipated new tracks traversing the area will allow rapid and efficient exploration for spodumene pegmatites over the new area.
A 26 diamond drill drilling program for 4,200m is planned for Tansim, with some 3,400m at the ViauDallaire prospect and approximately 800m at the Viau prospect. An Exploration Target (refer note below) for the Viau-Dallaire prospect has been estimated at between 5 million tonnes and 25 million tonnes, at an estimated grade of 1.2-1.3% Li2O (refer ASX release 19 November 2019).
Note: The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature and is therefore an approximation. There has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in an estimation of a Mineral Resource.
The planned drilling aims to expand the lithium mineralisation at Viau-Dallaire and provide material for mineralogical study and metallurgical testwork to support a Mineral Resource estimate.
West Australian exploration
Sayona's Pilbara project includes gold rights to nine tenements covering 824 sq km. These are considered prospective for intrusion-related gold mineralisation, similar to that of
Sayona's tenement portfolio remains effectively untested for its gold potential with large areas masked by surficial cover. Interpretation of magnetic data, carried out to identify discrete, high intensity features typical of that displayed by the Hemi discovery, has identified a number of features at the Mt Dove, Deep Well, West Wodgina and
Sayona has commissioned Magspec Airborne Surveys to complete a high resolution 3,900 line km airborne magnetic survey, with flight lines at 50m spacing. This survey, completed on
At Deep Well, interpretation of publicly available broad spaced magnetics data has identified 18 magnetic features. These are located over sand covered sediments of the
Past exploration carried out by diamond explorers has investigated three of the magnetic features, recognising their discreet nature and intensity as potential kimberlite intrusions. Limited drill testing failed to identify the source of the magnetic features but identified pyritic Mallina sediments and granite in bedrock. No drill cuttings were sampled for gold and the source of the magnetic anomaly is unresolved. It is anticipated Sayona's high resolution survey will help effective planning and drill testing of the current anomalies, as well as potentially identifying further targets.
Geochemical Orientation
A total of 96 orientation soil samples have been collected over three magnetic features at the Deep Well and Mt Dove projects. Analysis by LabWest using the
The subdued sample results are typical of geochemical results over the transported, largely sand blown sand which covers much of the tenement areas. Further orientation sampling is planned after the northern wet season to advance the use of geochemistry as a low-cost method of prioritising magnetic targets for drill testing.
Next Steps
The final data from the airborne magnetic survey is anticipated to be delivered in early April. Analysis of this information will help refine drill targeting of the known anomalies and identify further features of interest. Heritage surveying and statutory requirements to allow drilling to take place can then be advanced.
The results will also help frame plans for additional geophysical surveying over the remainder of the Pilbara gold projects, including the Tabba Tabba area in the east, so that combined with geological mapping and sampling, work to allow drill testing can proceed in these areas during the 2021 season.
Contact:
Tel: +61 (7) 3369 7058
Email: info@sayonamining.com.au
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