Eastern Metals Ltd (ASX:EMS) has completed an initial lithium exploration reconnaissance program over a small area of priority interest at the Barrow Creek Project in the Northern Territory.
The scout program was designed to identify areas with granite or pegmatite outcrop by undertaking traverses at 500 metres line spacing undertaken over selected test areas.
This program identified areas where characteristic “milky-white quartz outcrop and scattered float” exists – this being a common feature observed on named LCT-type pegmatite occurrences within the Barrow Creek Pegmatite Field (BCPF).
The presence of these quartz/muscovite samples is an important indicator of structural dilation and the passage of fluid 'of pegmatitic origin' and is the best evidence that pegmatites may exist on EMS tenements
Moving forward, these areas will be subjected to follow-up traverses and soil sampling programs.
Potential lithium pegmatite targets
Eastern managing director and CEO Wayne Rossiter said: “This program was the first step in the prioritising of the lithium pegmatite exploration potential of EMS’s tenements within the BCPF in the Northern Territory, all of which lie within the Arunta pegmatite province.
“Visibility was generally restricted to 50 metres or less and the identified areas of heightened interest will next be subjected to closely spaced traverses as we zero in on potential lithium pegmatite targets.
“We expect soil sampling will also be required in some areas that are obscured by transported cover. The area covered in this initial program is only a fraction of our tenure within the BCPF.”
Exploration program
Regional reconnaissance of known pegmatite occurrences indicated that pegmatites were generally surrounded by an extensive apron or scatter of milky quartz.
A milky quartz outcrop was also in evidence along with a sparse float of granite and mica schist.
In addition, specimens of quartz/muscovite were observed – sometime in the outcrop.
Widespread quartz scatter was present at Prospect D with limited areas of quartz scatter noted in the northeast corner of EL32027 where mapped granite outcrops were identified.
Notably, an unrecorded outcrop of Ali Curung Granite was seen in the Donkey Creek area.
The quartz-muscovite samples observed adjacent to the Home of Bullion core yard are of 'pegmatitic origin' and texture and occur as dilational zones, located essentially concordant to host strata.
Quartz-muscovite specimen located near Home of Bullion copper mine of 'pegmatic origin'.
Forward plan
Eastern will acquire and study high-resolution air photos of the traverse areas on EL32027 and EL23186 to assist in the definition of areas of quartz scatter.
This will be followed by a series of follow-up traverse lines at closer spacing over areas of possible quartz scatter and quartz outcrop in northern EL32027 and EL23186.
Further follow-up of identified areas of quartz/muscovite scatter in the Home of Bullion area will be undertaken.
Inspection of this area using high-resolution air photographs may, again, be the quickest and easiest way to apply a first targeting filter to that large area to be followed by ground traverses.
Subject to the identification of areas of further interest, a soil sampling program will be undertaken as aeolian sand covers much of the exploration license which may obscure pegmatite outcrop.
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