Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) validates lithium pegmatites at Barrow Creek

• Askari Metals (AS2) has identified additional areas of pegmatites in the northwest area of its Barrow Creek lithium project in the Northern Territory
• A phase two sampling program followed up on lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT)-type pegmatites identified in phase one work which returned up to 817 ppm lithium oxide
• Positive, phase two has extended the interpreted lithium mineralised strike to three kilometres and the zone is open in all directions and believed to extend under shallow cover
• Askari plans to follow-up on the pegmatites with maiden reverse circulation drilling and is currently waiting on results from exploration in the southeast area of the project
• AS2 shares are up 3.13 per cent and trading at 49.5 cents at 11:06 am AEST

Askari Metals (AS2) has received new results from a phase two program at its Barrow Creek lithium project in the Northern Territory.

The company is in the business of exploring and acquiring high-grade battery and precious metal projects in various parts of Australia.

The phase two rock sampling program, comprising 347 soil samples and 119 rock samples, focused on pegmatite outcrops in the northwestern part of the project area.

Initially, the premise for the work was to hone in on known lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT)-type pegmatites while increasing the sample density in that given area.

The LCT-type pegmatites were confirmed during a phase one reconnaissance sampling program conducted over a 950-metre by 500-metre area and returned values up to 817 parts per million (ppm) lithium oxide.

Positively, the phase two sampling program validated the interpreted strike extension of the pegmatite zones, extending the lithium mineralised strike to three kilometres which remains open.

VP of Exploration and Geology Johan Lambrechts said the company has expanded upon the “highly encouraging” results of its phase one exploration campaign.

“The data collected from our phase two soil and rock sampling campaign has identified further extensive areas of fertile LCT pegmatites on the Barrow Creek lithium project and also suggests that these mineralised bodies may extend beneath the surface under shallow cover,” Mr Lambrechts said.

Pending government clearance and approvals, Askari hopes to investigate the subsurface of the lithium mineralisation as soon as possible.

As for future work, the company is planning a follow-up exploration program which will include a maiden reverse circulation drilling program as well as rotary air-blast and aircore drilling to test the pegmatites beneath shallow cover.

Askari Metals shares were up 3.13 per cent, trading at 49.5 cents at 11:06 am AEST.