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New Age Exploration reveals strong lithium anomalies in Central Pilbara

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By Danica Cullinane - 
New Age Exploration ASX NAE lithium geochemical soil surveys Pilbara Western Australia

New Age Exploration has initiated a helicopter-supported program to assess the newly identified anomalies and other high priority areas in more detail.

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New Age Exploration (ASX: NAE) has identified extensive, strong lithium anomalies at its Central Pilbara gold-lithium project in Western Australia.

The explorer today announced preliminary results from its recently completed first phase of Ultrafine geochemical soil surveys over several selected high priority areas, which revealed multiple extensive areas of “exceptionally strong, coherent lithium anomalism”.

Five lithium anomalies with coincident elevated pathfinder elements were identified up to 8km long, 3km wide and all remain open in all directions, the company reported.

New Age executive director Joshua Wellisch said the very strong results at Bullock Well and Quartz Hill “clearly demonstrate the exceptional potential” the project has to host significant high-grade, hard rock lithium mineralisation.

“Each of the areas are defined by lithium values in excess of 150 parts per million and all are supported by all of the key multi-elements, including caesium, tantalum, tin and rubidium which are well documented associations of lithium-bearing ‘rare-metal’ LCT pegmatite mineral systems,” he said.

“The size and strength of the anomalism at Bullock Well, in particular, is staggering given it has been identified within an area that has had no previous exploration and our current sampling hasn’t closed it off yet.”

Helicopter supported reconnaissance program

New Age confirmed a helicopter-supported reconnaissance program has immediately commenced to assess the priority areas in more detail.

“Final results from the CSIRO interpretation will provide us with more compelling information and a framework to guide our ongoing exploration efforts. We look forward to providing further updates very soon,” Mr Wellisch said.

First phase sampling program

The areas sampled in New Age’s first phase program included Brahman, Bullock Well and Quartz Hill.

The company confirmed none of the areas have been previously explored or drill tested.

New Age’s Central Pilbara project is centred over the highly prospective yet underexplored Mallina-Whim Creek Basin of WA’s Pilbara Craton.

It lies in proximity to the world-class Wodgina (owned by Mineral Resources and Albemarle) and Pilbara Minerals’ (ASX: PLS) Pilgangoora lithium mining operations and De Grey Mining’s (ASX: DEG) recently discovered Hemi gold deposit.