The lithium assays from rock chip sampling at Gorman are just the start of exploration at the project in Ontario. Pic: Hans Neleman / The Image Bank / The Image Bank via Getty Images.
Mining
Rock chip sampling has confirmed that lithium is present within several pegmatites at Patriot Lithium’s Gorman project in Ontario over a 5.2km trend.
Of the 102 rock chip samples collected from the G0, G1, G2 and G3 pegmatites, 37 returned >1% Li2O, 18 returned >2% Li2O and 9 returned >3% Li2O, with a peak result of 3.71% Li2O from a sample taken from the G2 pegmatite.
Additionally, spodumene has been verified in the only two pegmatite samples analysed using laboratory XRD analysis.
The confirmation that lithium is indeed present is a positive for Patriot Lithium (ASX:PAT) given that the four pegmatites form a 5.2km long, northwest-southeast striking mineralised lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite trend that is open along strike in both directions.
“The rock chip results from Gorman are strong and provide initial confirmation that lithium mineralisation occurs within many of the pegmatites sampled within the G0 to G3 trend,” Managing Director Nicholas Vickery said.
“On the back of these positive results we will initiate a follow up soil and rock chip sampling and geological mapping program in August to further define the identified mineralised zones.
“The results will help confirm targets for our initial drilling program at Gorman that is targeted for the second quarter of 2024.”
The G0 to G3 pegmatite occurrences were identified on the eastern section of the Gorman project during recent reconnaissance programs.
These pegmatite occurrences form large outcrops with strike lengths of up to 530m and apparent widths at surface of up to 14m.
Gorman LCT pegmatites occur along trend of Frontier Lithium’s world-class PAK-Spark lithium development project, which is located 68km to the southeast.
Further detailed sampling and drilling programs will be required to establish the form, width and composition of the lithium mineralisation within the Gorman pegmatites.
At Gorman, the company will carry out in August follow-up soil and rock chip sampling and geological mapping to extend the known mineralised zones, confirm size, width and form of currently sampled pegmatites in more detail and target potential extensions along strike from the mapped pegmatite trends.
Petrographic studies will commence shortly as well to better characterise the mineralisation and host pegmatites.
Patriot has also completed preliminary drill planning with permit applications expected to be submitted in August for drilling that will be carried out in the second quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, the company will evaluate a comprehensive set of gravity survey results in Wickenburg after identifying that the mineralisation has likely been truncated at depth by faulting at the site of its initial scout drilling program. Passive seismic, ground magnetics and ground penetrating radar may be undertaken to further evaluate the targets at Wickenburg.
At Black Hills, Patriot has collected 46 rock chip samples from identified pegmatites for assaying. Further soil sampling and rock chip work is being planned – particularly around anomalous outcrops.
Additional pegmatite mapping and sampling over the remainder of Keystone and Tinton West areas will continue and are expected to be completed by this year.
This article was developed in collaboration with Patriot 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.
