Pan Asia Metals discovers new prospective zone at Bang I Tum lithium prospect
Pan Asia Metals 的 Bang I Tum 锂勘探区的一个新的勘探区被认为是 800m x 200m。
The discovery of a new prospective zone has significantly increased the exploration potential of Pan Asia Metals’ (ASX: PAM) Bang I Tum lithium prospect in southern Thailand.
The battery and critical metals developer identified the zone during a program of follow-up mapping, soil and rock chip sampling.
It is reported to measure approximately 800 metres in length and 200m width and is characterised by numerous lepidolite-rich alpo-pegmatite dykes and veins.
Sampling and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis has identified highly-anomalous lithium pathfinders with rubidium being a strong proxy for lithium.
The structures are interpreted to be a westerly extension of the dyke swarm where Pan Asia defined a drill-supported exploration target in July of between 8 million tonnes and 14Mt at a grade range of 0.5% to 0.8% lithium oxide.
The footprint of the new zone is believed to be approximately twice as large as the exploration target.
Portfolio bonus
Managing director Paul Lock said the discovery of the new zone at Bang I Tum is a bonus for the company’s southeast Asian portfolio.
“This is a great outcome the zone is twice the area that defines the prospect’s current exploration target,” he said.
“A successful drilling program at Bang I Tum will help us define an ore reserve sufficient to produce 10,000t lithium carbonate equivalent for a minimum 10 years.”
Bang I Tum is located about 8km north of the Reung Kiet lithium prospect in southern Thailand, where Pan Asia reported an inaugural inferred mineral resource in June of 10.4Mt at 0.44% lithium oxide for 113,000t lithium carbonate equivalent.
Drill testing
Mr Lock said Pan Asia will incorporate drill testing of the newly-discovered zone with drilling of the existing exploration target.
Work is expected to commence within the next two months.
Testing to evaluate the metallurgical performance of Bang I Tum mineralisation will also be carried out once more core samples are available.