James Bay Minerals discovers pegmatite outcrop at Aero target within La Grande project
Newly-listed explorer James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY) has discovered a fractionated pegmatite outcrop known as Avro during a maiden program at the Aero target within the La Grande project in Canada.
The large pegmatite was observed over an area of 400 metres in length and up to 20m in width, running east-west across the south-eastern segment of the prospect.
It is reported to display fractionation indicators and accessory minerals often associated with rare metal pegmatites (such as tourmaline) and is open in all directions where the outcrop extends under cover.
The pegmatite is believed to have been made more visible by recent wildfires which burned through much of the property and cleared away shrub and brush, leading to Avro’s immediate discovery.
Field crews are working through the area to map Avro and collect samples for testing.
Initial observations
Interpretation of the pegmatite extent and mineralisation is in its early stages and initial observations of tourmaline are being used as an indicator for fractionation and vectoring.
Portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis will begin onsite to evolve the geological theory.
Further desktop studies and interpretations of satellite images and historic geophysical maps are being conducted by James Bay’s exploration partner Breakaway Exploration Management to assess additional interpreted pegmatites in the area.
“Fantastic result”
James Bay executive director Andrew Dornan said he was excited by the Avro discovery.
“What a fantastic result for us to have identified a large pegmatite dyke at Aero so early in our exploration program,” he said.
“This result is well ahead of expectations but not surprising considering that our properties were carefully selected due to their geological features being ideal for the formation of LCT (lithium-caesium-tantalum) pegmatites.”
He said the company was looking forward to further discoveries across the Aero prospect during the remainder of the program.
Continuous claims
The Aero prospect comprises 89 continuous claims over an area of 43.65 square kilometres.
Within these claims sit approximately 12 kilometres of deformation zones considered highly-prospective for LCT pegmatites.
Nearby properties at Cancet (owned by Winsome Resources, ASX: WR1) and Corvette (Patriot Battery Metals, ASX: PMT) also contain deformation zones which have had significant LCT success.
Largest portfolio
James Bay Minerals made its debut on the Australian Stock Exchange earlier this month following a $6 million public offering.
The company has acquired a 100% interest in one of the largest lithium exploration portfolios in the James Bay region, covering an area of 224sqkm.
The Joule, Aero and Aqua prospects are located in the La Grande sub-province along trend from Corvette, where Patriot recently reported a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 109.2 million tonnes at 1.42% lithium oxide and 160ppm tantalum pentoxide (at a 0.4% lithium oxide cut-off).
All prospects are reported to have the key ingredients required to host massive LCT pegmatites, being neo-Archaean rocks, placement along major regional faults and positioning on greenstone belts in proximity to granites.