Oceana gets all clear to kick off lithium exploration in James Bay

The Monaro project is in the highly prospective James Bay region
Initial field work includes mapping, prospecting, rock, till and soil sampling in 60 locations
OCN is targeting spodumene bearing pegmatites which host lithium mineralisation
Assays pending from Brazil drilling program

Oceana Lithium has commenced field work at its Monaro lithium project in James Bay, Canada, following lifting of wildfire access restrictions in the region which caused miners and explorers to temporarily suspend operations.

In preparation for its inaugural field season, the company identified various high priority targets within the Monaro project area which will be investigated on the ground during the current field campaign with a focus on identifying spodumene bearing pegmatites – the host rock for lithium mineralisation.

Québec based contractor Explo-Logik has now mobilised an experienced exploration team with helicopter support to target the high-priority areas which include the two pegmatites reported by the Québec Government database SIGÉOM, some 114 large linear structures with surface signs of pale outcrop, and some up to 1.25 km in length identified from high resolution satellite imagery.

The targets also include 26 spectral targets selected from Sentinel 2 remote sensing data acquired for the project area – a method that has been applied with great success in lithium exploration in Western Australia.

Oceana Lithium (ASX:OCN) has also purchased high resolution PNEO 30cm 6-Band satellite imagery for the tenement area, and a LiDAR survey contractor has been appointed to gather additional high resolution topography data and imagery to further assist in pegmatite identification and accurate delineation.

Strategically located in James Bay

The 104 km2 Monaro project is right in the heart of the popular James Bay region where explorers flocking to secure their own piece of ground.

It’s just 10kms from Winsome Resources’ (ASX:WR1) Adina project, where ‘significant’ lithium mineralised pegmatite intercepts have recently been reported.

The area is certainly heating up. Just last week, Allkem (ASX:AKE) upgraded resources at its project in James Bay by 173% to 110.2Mt grading 1.3% Li2O – including 54.3Mt at 1.3% Li2O in the higher confidence Indicated category.

The resource nips at the heels of Patriot Battery Metals (ASX:PMT) Corvette property in the same region, allegedly the eighth largest spodumene deposit globally with a resource of 109.2Mt at 1.42% Li2O.

Sampling over 60 locations by September, Brazil assays pending

The Oceana exploration team plans to sample over 60 locations, with samples to be sent to ALS in Québec for analysis. Field activity expected to continue until mid to late September.

Among the recent influx of newcomers to the James Bay region, Oceana stands out as the sole Australian participant currently engaged in active exploration within another prominent lithium-rich area, namely Brazil.

The company is pulling up pegmatite intercepts up to 37m wide at the Solonópole project in Brazil.

Sigma Lithium’s (TSX.V:SGML) success at its new 270,000tpa Grota do Cirilo hard rock mine has been a positive litmus test for operating in Brazil, and sparked a torrent of interest in the country’s lithium.

Assay results from first 10 holes of the 30-hole, ~2,000m Phase 1 program at Solonópole are expected in the next 3-5 weeks.

This article was developed in collaboration with Oceana Lithium, 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.