Encounter confirms lithium at its NT project comparable to Finnis host rock

Encounter Resources says rock chip assay results from the Crawford target its Junction lithium project in the Northern Territory have confirmed lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites comparable to the host pegmatites of the Finnis lithium deposits.

Critical metal results include maximum assays of 0.2% lithium oxide, 0.57% rubidium, 500ppm tin, 498ppm caesium, 51ppm tantalum and 740 ppm tungsten.

But Core Lithium’s (ASX:CXO) Finnis mine is not all the project compares to.

Junction sits within the North Arunta Pegmatite Province identified in a report by the Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) – which interprets that the pegmatites in the region are LCT pegmatites similar to the host pegmatites of the lithium deposits at Greenbushes in WA.

Crawford a new critical minerals occurrence

About 5km west from the Crawford target is Core’s Ringing Rocks prospect; a lithium-in-soils anomaly coincident with the outcrop position of two large pegmatite bodies and surface rock chips assaying up to 0.6% Li2O.

Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR) MD Will Robinson said this further demonstrates the potential of the broader Junction area.

“The first on-ground activities completed have identified a trend of lithium and critical minerals bearing LCT pegmatites,” he said.

“Crawford is a new critical minerals occurrence in the North Arunta and is located ~5km east of Core Lithium’s Ringing Rocks prospect which further serves to highlight the potential of the broader Junction region.

“To have such strong and consistent results across a range of critical minerals at an early stage is highly encouraging.”

Soil sampling planned asap

“A systematic soil sampling program will be completed as soon as possible in order to define targets for drilling,” Robinson said.

The outcropping pegmatite trend covers at least 4km of strike and potentially extends under shallow cover, with Encounter planning to test for a range of critical minerals including lithium, caesium, tantalum, tin, beryllium, tungsten and rubidium.

Following the soil sampling program, RC drilling of defined targets is planned.

This article was developed in collaboration with Encounter Resources (ASX:ENR), a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.