Zinc of Ireland’s new Manitoba lithium project is just 40km from the Tanco LCT mine. Pic via Getty Images
Zinc of Ireland sails the Atlantic to acquire 1,380km2 lithium project in Manitoba, Canada
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- Zinc of Ireland acquires 1,380km2 package of lithium exploration ground in Manitoba, Canada
- Mining claims are just 40km west of the Tanco LCT mine that has been in production for over 50 years
- Work now under way to define targets for follow-up mapping, sampling and scout drilling
Special Report: Zinc of Ireland is spreading its wings once again, this time crossing the Atlantic to acquire an extensive 1,380km2 lithium exploration project in the emerging Superior Province within Manitoba, Canada.
Manitoba’s Superior Province terrain is an emerging region that remains extremely underexplored for pegmatites despite the world-class Tanco lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) mining operation – with a focus on the caesium content – having been in production for over 50 years.
The province also benefits from ready-built infrastructure and a long history of mining for gold, copper and nickel.
Unsurprisingly, the potential for lithium riches has captured a fair amount of attention from several ASX-listed companies – and now Zinc of Ireland (ASX:ZMI) is joining the party.
Other juniors that have trekked to the Canadian province include Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1), Burley Minerals (ASX:BUR), Koba Resources (ASX:KOB) and Native Mineral Resources (ASX:NMR).
Also present are Jody Dahrouge’s DG Resource Management, which had vended the Corvette property to Patriot Battery Metals (ASX:PMT), and Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG).
Close to existing production
ZMI’s new project consists of seven mining claims and six mineral exploration licences (MELs) with another four MELs currently under application all largely underexplored for lithium.
Notably, the mining claims, which cover 1,792 hectares, are just 40km west of the Tanco LCT mine.
Work is currently under way to follow up on known LCT pegmatites and generating additional new targets.
The latter will be achieved by identifying outcropping pegmatites as well as delineating structural and lithological regimes suitable to their emplacement.
“Our entry into lithium exploration in Manitoba is an exciting milestone for the company,” ZMI chairman Peter Huljich said.
“We have put together a conceptually sound package of LCT exploration ground in a Tier One jurisdiction that has seen little or no previous lithium exploration.
“The overall exploration potential of Manitoba is immense and we feel that, despite some obvious exceptions, that the province’s overall lithium exploration potential has flown underneath the radar while LCT discoveries have been occurring at pace, and in some cases along strike, within the same rocks in Ontario.
“The amount of new applications for fertile LCT exploration ground is now gathering pace, so we believe that our timing couldn’t be better.
“Our first pass target generation will involve a lot of satellite data interpretation. We have sizeable areas to explore for LCT targets so appropriate expertise has been brought in to help us progress.”
Forward plans
ZMI has started engagement with First Nations and engaged local consulting groups.
It will also generate targets this month along with logistical planning in March and April.
The company will then carry out a field visit in May and/or June to carry out ground truthing of priority one targets.
Follow-up mapping, sampling and/or scout drilling of any significant LCT discoveries will be carried out in Q3 2024.
This article was developed in collaboration with Zinc of Ireland, 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.
