Arkle Resources plc said it had discovered lithium-bearing pegmatites from rock chip samples in its Mine River gold block on the Wexford-Wicklow border in Ireland.
MINE RIVER
In 2017 the company acquired the block which comprises five licences over 213.5km2, covering an area of known gold mineralisation along a 15km trend.
Arkle last year extended its search from gold to lithium at the site which is near the known lithium-bearing Leinster granite pegmatite belt.
The company also confirmed the presence of granite, pegmatite and aplite rock and collected specimens for analysis.
COMPELLING
“Of the 34 rock chip samples collected late last year, six returned lithium grades over 0.02% Li2O with one sample assaying 0.09% Li2O from the Bunclody area,” said Arkle in a statement.
“Elevated lithium also correlated with enriched levels of caesium, rubidium and tantalum which are known pathfinder elements for lithium.
“The directors believe these results are compelling as it suggests the Mine River block is fertile for lithium caesium tantalum pegmatite deposits.”
Chairman John Teeling added that the company would resume prospecting in the near future.