Pan Asia Metals uncovers more lithium while drilling at Reung Kiet
Assays from seven more holes have revealed multiple zones of lithium with one hole intercepting 7.65m of aggregate pegmatite at 1.61% lithium.
Pan Asia Metals (ASX: PAM) has uncovered more lithium at the Reung Kiet prospect, which is part of the company’s project of the same name in southern Thailand.
Another batch of assays from drilling at the project have now been received, with these latest results from seven holes.
Notable intercepts were 13.5m at 0.85% lithium, 519 parts per million caesium, 2.31% potassium, 0.34% rubidium, 571ppm tin and 201ppm tantalum from 2.8m; 10.85m of aggregate pegmatite at 1.23% lithium, 562ppm caesium, 0.41% rubidium, 2.7% potassium, 588ppm tin and 193ppm tantalum from surface; and 7.65m of aggregate pegmatite at 1.61% lithium, 587ppm caesium, 3.57% potassium, 0.55% rubidium, 618ppm tin and 201ppm tantalum.
Pan Asia managing director Paul Lock said the company was “very pleased” with the latest drill results.
He noted five of the six holes drilled on the western side of a pegmatite dyke swarm at the RK South target had confirmed the continuation of mineralisation.
Another hole which drilled under one completed in 2019 also confirmed the continuation of pegmatites at depth. This hole was drilled into the project’s historic tin mining pit.
Along with previously reported assays, these latest results support Pan Asia’s geological model of extensive lithium mineralisation being present in lepidolite-rich pegmatite dykes and veins over 1km of strike.
Scoping study and by-products
Pan Asia is working towards delivering a maiden resource and scoping study on Reung Kiet in the first quarter of next year.
Mr Lock said the company aimed to firm up enough resources at the project to underpin a 10,000tpa lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide plant.
“Peer feasibility studies suggest that lepidolite is the lowest cost source of lithium and potentially has one of the lowest carbon footprints.”
Mr Lock said the company was also measuring and reporting the presence of caesium, potassium, rubidium, tin and tantalum at Reung Kiet which are all potentially valuable by-products.
In drilling to-date at the project, up to 2.09% lithium has been uncovered. Peak results for the other minerals include 1,000ppm caesium, 0.63% rubidium, 1,408ppm tin and 490ppm tantalum.
“This is all very encouraging when considered in the context of the broader peer group,” he said.