More lithium discoveries in Zimbabwe
A LITHIUM mining entity, Li3 Lithium Corp, which is prospecting for globally strategic lithium mineral, says it has identified high-grade lithium targets from its ongoing exploration programme at the Mutare Lithium Project.
The firm is now eager to commence a 5 000-metre exploration drilling programme.
Li3 Lithium holds 50 percent ownership interest in the Mutare Lithium Project, with the remaining 50 percent owned by Premier African Minerals Limited, operator of the Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Mine in Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the company said as the operator of the Mutare Lithium Project, it has received assay results from 72 grab samples collected during the initial phase of the 2023 exploration programme.
The exploration programme includes geological mapping, and a surface rock sampling programme to assist in identifying priority targets for the trenching and 5 000-metre exploration drilling programme, scheduled to start in the coming weeks.
The update indicated that 72 samples were sent for analysis in April and the highest grade returned in the initial phase is 4,14 percent Lithium Oxide (“Li2O”) from the Nels Luck group of licences.
Chief executive officer and president of Li3 Lithium, Mr François Auclair said: “The initial high-grade results, up to 4,14 percent lithium oxide, suggest the potential for high-grade lithium oxide mineralisation at surface and at depth within the Eastern section of the property.
“We are anxious to commence the 5 000-metre exploration drilling programme across the property with emphasis on the Nels Luck group of pegmatites.”
Mr Auclair has visited the Mutare Project twice since February and believes that the Mutare Project has excellent potential for large-scale lithium mineralisation.
Zulu Lithium in Fort Rixon
The Mutare Lithium Project is located adjacent to the Sabi Star Lithium Tantalum Mine in eastern Zimbabwe’s Mutare Greenstone Belt, an emerging lithium district.
Li3 Lithium is evaluating the acquisition of additional prospective ground, either through staking or agreements with potential vendors.
The area was deemed prospective for lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites based on prior target generation work. Zimbabwe has the largest reserves of lithium in Africa and the sixth in the world hence the Government has moved to address smuggling of the sought-after mineral, which is costing the country about US$1,8 billion in lost mining earnings.
There are a number of lithium players in Zimbabwe including Arcadia Mine, Zulu Lithium Mine, Bikita Minerals, and the upcoming Kamativi Mine.-chrnicle
