Manhattan has significantly expanded the footprint of the spodumene boulder field at the newly named Big Betty prospect following the discovery of two additional spodumene-bearing pegmatite trains.

The company noted that the distribution of spodumene-bearing boulders at the prospect suggests that at least two different bedrock sources are present in the area, which now covers about 3.4km by 2.2km.

Couple that with 13 of the 18 samples collected from the initial Rainy Day boulder train returning more than 1% Li2O with a peak result of 2.24% Li2O and you have the makings of a pretty significant lithium discovery.

All the more so as Manhattan Corporation (ASX:MHC) has previously noted that the boulders within the broader Chebogue property in Nova Scotia, Canada, are comparable in compositions and morphology to those found at Champlain Mineral Ventures’ nearby Brazil Lake lithium project.

“The new boulder discoveries represent the highest modal spodumene content of any of the pegmatite boulders discovered to date,” country manager Paul Smith said.

“These discoveries have accelerated Manhattan’s logistical planning and permitting requirements for diamond drilling in the near future.”

New pegmatites

The two new pegmatite boulder trains feature more angular boulders that contain between 30% and 40% spodumene crystals that are up to 20 cm long.

Adding interest, one of the tested samples returned an uncommon variety of cassiterite mineral that has tantalum content, which is typical of lithium-rich granitoids.

Combining the spodumene-bearing boulder distribution with detailed public domain LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging Data) has also allowed the company to identify at least three northeast trending linear features that are believed to be the mineralised pegmatite source of the boulder trains.

These features are currently being investigated as bedrock pegmatite sources that occur in a tight cluster within the Big Betty prospect that forms part of the BP Target Area.

Manhattan has also met with local indigenous community representatives who are supportive of our initial exploration plans and are willing to expedite further negotiations.

Chebogue lithium project

Chebogue consists of 109 licences covering an area of 1,200km2 that has the potential to host lithium-caesium-tantalum-bearing pegmatites.

The project is surrounded by excellent infrastructure and located just 25km from deep sea shipping facilities at Yarmouth port connecting the project to the Atlantic Ocean and global markets in North America and Europe.

Initial compilation work identified six target areas with three areas selected as locations for the start of exploration.

Detailed prospecting is now focused at the licence hosting the BP Target Area and surrounding licences to the north and south.

Manhattan is continuing prospecting, soil sampling, and initial screening for spodumene flakes in glacial till within this licence area.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Manhattan Corporation, 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.

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