Five months of extensive field exploration across its Eastern Hub projects in Ontario, Canada, have provided Green Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:GT1) with the confirmation that lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite outcrops are present at its Junior Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada.
The discovery follows an extensive program of prospecting, mapping and sampling across the 56,000-hectare Eastern Hub landholding held by the Canadian-focused multi-asset lithium business.
In particular, the Tape Lake zone at Junior now boasts proven grade and multiple occurrences, indicating the likelihood of stacked pegmatites or a potentially fertile intrusive system, and showing similarities to other GT1 advanced lithium deposits such as Seymour and Root Bay.
The company believes the Junior project has the potential to significantly augment its Eastern Hub resource base, particularly if it is part of a stacked system, and intends to progress to the next phase of exploration, including diamond drilling.
Successful outing
Junior is 22 kilometres east of GT1’s flagship Seymour Project and covers about 109 square kilometres.
It features three drill-ready LCT pegmatite prospects comprising Tape, Swole and Despard.
At the Tape Prospect, field crews traversed the area over six weeks to map 400 outcrops and collect 389 samples via a newly-constructed logging road.
The effort verified the presence of spodumene in two pegmatite dykes historically reported, including a significant LCT spodumene-bearing pegmatite measuring 40 metres in length and up to 6 metres in width, aligning with the characteristics of other lithium-bearing dykes in the region.
The first outcrop, Ridge Peg, sampled 2.97% lithium dioxide (Li20) in varied crystal lengths, while the second pegmatite, Roadside Peg, measured 15 metres in length and 6 metres in width, with rock chip samples returned at 1.68% Li20 in crystals extending up to 12 centimetres.
Visual inspection of the sample has confirmed the presence of course spodumene as the dominant lithium-bearing mineral.
At the Despard prospect, initial work has uncovered surface exposure of a spodumene-bearing pegmatite, measuring 2 metres by 2 metres, with spodumene crystals of up to 20 centimetres in length.
Rock chip samples have returned significant results of up to 3.23% Li20 and reconfirmed Despard’s fertility within the region.
LCT pegmatite outcrop samples with coarse grained spodumene.
“Immense regional potential”
“This has been a big exploration season for GT1 with field teams covering a large amount of ground over the Eastern Hub, with proven success at Tape Lake, part of the Junior Project, as a highlight, showcasing immense regional potential,” GT1 chief executive officer Luke Cox said.
“Proven grades and multiple occurrences hint at stacked pegmatites or a fertile intrusive system, promising significant expansion of GT1's eastern-hub resource base.”
Turning to drilling next
With the field work completed, GT1 has turned its attention towards recommencing diamond drilling at Seymour, which kicked off yesterday.
The 7,736-metre drill program will primarily focus on infill drilling to upgrade the resource at the North and South Aubry deposits and is planned to run until the end of the year.
Additionally, a number of priority exploration targets will also be drilled in parallel to the exploration program north of North Aubry.
GT1 will begin a maiden drill program at Junior, covering 2,000 metres at Tape, followed by 2,000 metres at Despard, in the first quarter of next year or as soon as work at Seymour is completed.
Seymour project area showing infill and exploration drilling plan.
Solidifying support
“Furthermore, we're pleased to announce the renewal of our exploration agreement with Whitesand First Nation, showing support for Seymour, Falcon, and Junior projects,” Cox said.
“We extend our gratitude to our indigenous partners for allowing us to work in their traditional territory.”
The agreement with Whitesand First Nation will set the stage for further discussions on an Impact Benefit Agreement.
This is a significant step forward in the ongoing collaboration with GT1’s First Nation partners as the company commits towards an agreement to ensure the equitable distribution of benefits from the Seymour Project.
“The coming months will be busy, with multiple rigs operating simultaneously at our Root Bay deposit and Seymour with ongoing Seymour development activities in the background.
“Stay tuned for updates on our progress,” Cox added.
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