Arkle Resources plc has identified lithium and “significant” grades of magnesium from preliminary regional sampling at the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana.
DRILLING
The company took 20 samples from part of its 937km2 licences, noting “lower grades” of lithium in each one.
Arkle said that lithium normally fluctuated in the salt pans and that higher lithium levels in other parts of its licence area was “highly plausible”.
The magnesium could be extracted under a new process of direct lithium extraction (DLE) which is “potentially more efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective” than traditional methods.
Arkle will next prepare for shallow drilling to access brines to a depth of 30m and obtain bulk sample analyses for DLE.
“What is seriously interesting is the widespread presence of good grades of magnesium above 1%,” added chairman John Teeling.
“Modern extraction methods make magnesium an asset. Eight of 20 samples have grades above 1%.
“Also within the licence on the edge of the pan is mapped ultrabasic rock.
“Ultrabasic rocks are known to contain a very high magnesium content which may be the source of the high levels of magnesium noted in the brines.
“It is important to note that explorations for brines is cheaper than hard rock. Holes are typically less than 30 metres deep. The ground is flat, and access is easier.
“We now need to plan and execute a defined grid drilling programme.”