Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX: VMC) has delineated a four km long zone with lithium anomalies at its Youanmi Lithium Project in Western Australia.
A soil sampling programme totalling 490 samples was completed on three tenements (E 57/983, E 57/986 and E 57/1078) in the Youanmi Lithium Project covering parts of the granite – greenstone contact zone that is considered prospective for LCT pegmatite mineralisation. Sampling was at 400m by 400m spacing, closed down to 100m by 100m around pegmatite outcrops.
Samples were sieved to -80 mesh and analysed at Portable XRF Service, Perth, using a handheld XRF (pXRF). A pXRF cannot detect lithium directly but it can detect elements associated with LCT Pegmatites (Ga, Rb, Nb, Sn, Cs, Ta & Tl) and an algorithm based on associated LCT elements is used to estimate the Li content (Li Index)
Control assays for a suite of elements including lithium by fusion digest and ICP finish are in progress. In 2018, Lepidico Limited (ASX: LPD) in joint venture with Venus explored the Manindi North area (E 57/983) for lepidolite mineralisation in pegmatites.
Drilling tested three areas over a two km strike in the northern part of E57/983 along the prospective mafic – felsic (granite) contact. The best lithium results in Lepidico’s drilling were 12m @ 0.68% Li2O from 6m depth, 2m @ 1.58% Li2O from 31m, and 4m @ 0.76% Li2O from 23m.
The recent geochemical survey by Venus at Manindi North (E57/983) identified several Li Index anomalies (greater than 116ppm or the 95th percentile) in areas of cover and west of the outcropping pegmatites and Lepidico’s drilling.
These new Li Index soil anomalies may indicate the presence of LCT pegmatite that is under cover and, hence, has not been mapped and tested in the past. The rubidium (Rb) distribution is interpreted to be a proxy for the presence of lepidolite, a Li and Rb bearing mica present in previously drilled areas.
Lithium Index anomalies that are not associated with anomalous Rb (>95th percentile) may indicate either LCT pegmatite or dispersion adjacent to the known pegmatites. RC drilling is planned to test the new geochemical targets 1 to 3, as well as any potential depth extensions of Li-bearing pegmatites.
For further information please visit: https://www.venusmetals.com.au/
