James Bay Minerals discovers second pegmatite field at Aero Property
A second field of pegmatite dykes has been discovered during a maiden exploration campaign by James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY) at the Aero Property in Canada.
The field comprises nine dykes and is believed to be around 1.5 kilometres in length from east to west and 500 metres wide north to south.
It sits within the company’s La Grande project in the prolific Eeyou Istchee-James Bay district in Quebec.
The new field is interpreted to be an extension of a pegmatite swarm identified earlier this month at the same property, which is located approximately 2km to the south-west.
Both discoveries are near a four-season gravel road and power lines, facilitating efficient access and potential future exploration and operations.
Pegmatite characteristics
James Bay said the new pegmatite dykes are white in colour and stand out as ridges several metres above the surrounding ground.
They all dip steeply to the north, sub-parallel to the foliation planes of the biotite schist, and all consist of coarse-grained, well-developed crystals of plagioclase (albite), quartz, tourmaline and muscovite.
They are also reported to display fractionation indicators and accessory minerals associated with lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.
The company’s campaign partner Breakaway Exploration has completed rock chip and rock saw channel sampling across the field.
All samples have been submitted to the laboratory for assays.
Big achievement
James Bay executive director Andrew Dornan said the new discovery was a big achievement for the company.
“To have uncovered two fractionated pegmatite fields at Aero Property within six weeks of commencing our maiden field program is exceptional,” he said.
“We cannot underestimate the significance of these discoveries given the proximity to key infrastructure, which allows easy access and straightforward exploration planning and execution… we have only just scratched the surface on our La Grande project and the flagship Joule property still unexplored [so] the opportunity that lies ahead of us is huge.”
Mr Dornan said all nine pegmatite dykes discovered within the eastern field plunge under cover, trending to the north within the Aero Property.
Aero Property is located along trend from the Cancet lithium project owned by Winsome Resources (ASX: WR1) and the world-class CV5 deposit owned by Patriot Battery Metals (ASX: PMT).