Anomalous Lithium Identified on Finland Projects

RNS Number : 1302J

Savannah Resources PLC

07 September 2016

 

Savannah Resources Plc / Index: AIM / Epic: SAV / Sector: Mining

 7 September 2016

Savannah Resources Plc

Anomalous Lithium Identified on Finland Projects

Savannah Resources plc (AIM: SAV) ('Savannah' or 'the Company'), the AIM quoted resource development company, announces that reconnaissance rockchip sampling over its new lithium projects in Finland, Somero and Erajarvi, has returned anomalous lithium results. To view the press release with the illustrative maps and diagrams please use the following link:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1302J_-2016-9-6.pdf

HIGHLIGHTS:

·    4 weeks of an 8-10 week reconnaissance geological mapping and rockchip sampling programme has been completed

·    A total of 70 rockchip samples have been collected to date and submitted to the laboratory for analysis, with 3 assay results returned to date

·    Initial analysis, geological mapping and rock chip sampling has highlighted:

o Somero Project has prospective pegmatites up to 1,200m long and 50m wide with an initial rockchip assay of 4% lithium oxide ('Li₂O')

o Erajarvi Project has prospective pegmatites up to 800m long and 30m wide with an initial rockchip assay of  1.29% Li₂O

·    Key lithium minerals petalite, spodumene and lepidolite were all identified in hand specimens 

·    The remaining assays are expected to be received over the next four to six weeks and the results will be announced as soon as practicable thereafter

·    Finland is one of the most prospective countries on mainland Europe for potential lithium discoveries. Both project areas have excellent access to high quality infrastructure and are located close to potential final customers

David Archer, Savannah's Chief Executive Officer said today, "We are very pleased that this early work is already confirming both encouraging grades and defining significant pegmatites at surface containing key lithium minerals. Finland is a lithium focus for a number of companies, both because of its excellent mining legislation and its infrastructure endowment. These initial results are promising and we keenly await the next set of results."

Figure 1. Location map showing position of new lithium projects in Finland - see PDF link

Summary Table of Rock Chip Results

SAMPLE	Northing	Easting	Fe203 (%)	Li2O (%)	Cs (ppm)	Nb (ppm)	Rb (ppm)	Sn (ppm)	Ta (ppm)
FIN001	6732953	314874	0.64	4	21.7	<5	43.9	<5	4.9
FIN002	6733042	314481	1.16	0.02	39.3	69	163.5	16	31.6
FIN003	6829974	376485	1.12	1.29	1540	67	3020	356	162
Datum: ETRS-TM35FIN

SOMERO LITHIUM PROJECT

Savannah's Somero Reservation (Figure 2) is located less than 2km south of TSX listed Nortec Minerals' Kietyonmaki and Hirvikalio lithium deposits, which were drilled by the GTK (Finnish Government Department).  Historical geological mapping of the area has confirmed the presence of 56 pegmatites, some with the lithium minerals petalite and spodumene, but no geochemical sampling had been completed to date.  Recent work completed by Savannah focusing on these pegmatites has highlighted a series of pegmatites up to 1.2km in length and 50m wide, with some of the pegmatites like the Torkkomaki prospect containing massive zones of petalite, which has returned a high-grade lithium assay result of 4% Li₂O (Figure 3). A total of 70 rock chip samples were collected and submitted for analysis and to date three assays have been returned.

Figure 2. Somero Project Tenement boundary/local geology highlighting pegmatite swarm - see PDF link

Figure 3. Pegmatite outcrop at the Torkkomaki Prospect showing massive occurrences of the lithium mineral Petalite (FIN001: 4% Li₂O) - see PDF link

ERAJARVI LITHIUM PROJECT

The Erajarvi Project (Figure 4) reservation covers a swarm of at least 61 known pegmatites that have been mapped in the area, but to date no geochemical sampling has been conducted. Preliminary mapping indicates that the potential lithium bearing pegmatites are in the contacts of the granite plutons or in the schists close to the contacts, with larger pegmatites over 10m wide generally not encountered farther than 1.5km from the granites.

The larger pegmatites in the region include Niemelä pegmatite, which is up to 30m wide and at least 800m long) and Vitaniemi, which is at least 400m in strike, over 100m in width, 10m in thickness and open in all directions. The prospectivity of these pegmatites was confirmed in the recent mapping and sampling program with abundant lithium minerals spodumene, lepidolite, petalite identified in the Vitaniemi pegmatite and a sample collected from here assaying 1.29%Li₂O (Figure 5).

Further detailed mapping and systematic sampling of the Erajarvi reservation is now underway, with this work expected to take at least four weeks.

Figure 4. Erajarvi Project Tenement boundary/local geology highlighting pegmatite swarm - see PDF link

Figure 5. Old pit on the Vitaniemi pegmatite and abundant lithium minerals located in the pegmatite, predominantly Petalite, Spodumene and Lepidolite (FIN003: 1.29% Li₂O) - see PDF link

Key Reference: Geological Survey of Finland Bulletin 134 (1981) Granitic pegmatites of the Erajarvi area in Orivesi, Southern Finland

Competent Person

The information in this announcement that relates to exploration results is based upon information compiled by Mr Dale Ferguson, Technical Director of Savannah Resources Limited. Mr Ferguson is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (JORC Code). Mr Ferguson consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 596/2014

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.savannahresources.com or contact:

David Archer	Savannah Resources plc	Tel: [phone]
David Hignell / Gerry Beaney (Nominated Adviser)	Northland Capital Partners Ltd	Tel: [phone]
Jon Belliss / Elliot Hance (Corporate Broker)	Beaufort Securities Ltd	Tel: [phone]
Charlotte Page / Lottie Brocklehurst	St Brides Partners Ltd	Tel: [phone]

Notes

Savannah Resources Plc (AIM: SAV) is a growth oriented, multi-commodity, development company:

Oman

Savannah has interests in three copper blocks in the highly prospective Semail Ophiolite Belt in Oman.  The projects, which have an Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7Mt at a grade of 2.2% copper and high grade intercepts of up to 56.35m at a grade of 6.21% Cu, with additional gold upside potential, provide Savannah with an excellent opportunity to potentially evolve into a mid-tier copper and gold producer in a relatively short time frame. Together with its Omani partners, Savannah aims to outline further mineral resources to provide the critical mass for a central operating plant to develop the deposits, and in December 2015 outlined exploration targets of between 10,700,000 and 29,250,000 tonnes grading between 1.4% and 2.4% copper.

Mozambique

Savannah has agreed to acquire 100% of Matilda Minerals Limitada which currently operates the Jangamo exploration project, and has agreed with Rio Tinto to form a joint venture in Mozambique to develop the combined Mutamba/Jangamo Project.  Formation of the joint venture remains subject to approval by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy of the Republic of Mozambique. Jangamo has a 65Mt Inferred Mineral Resource at a grade of 4.2% total heavy minerals ("THM") at a 2.5% cut-off grade.  The Mutamba, Dongane and Chilubane deposits have a combined exploration target of 7-12Bn tonnes at a grade of 3-4.5% THM (published in 2008).

Finland

Savannah has registered applications over two new lithium projects, Somero and Erajarvi, covering an area of 159km²   in Finland.  Savannah holds a 100% interest in these projects through its Finnish subsidiary Finkallio Oy.  Geological mapping by the Finnish Government within the project areas has highlighted the presence of lithium minerals spodumene, lepidolite and petalite with the Government also identifying Somero and Erajarvi as one of the most prospective areas to discover lithium deposits in Finland.  Savannah plans to initiate an exploration programme including data compilation, geological mapping and surface sampling with the aim of generating drill ready targets during 2016.

APPENDIX 1 - JORC 2012 Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria	JORC Code explanation	Commentary
Sampling techniques	·    Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. ·    Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. ·    Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. ·    In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.	·    All data at the Maqail South and Dogs Bone Prospects has been gathered from diamond core. HQ and NQ core sizes have been used.  Holes have been angled to optimally intersect lithology structures. ·    Sampling from diamond drilling is by half core sampling of NQ or HQ core ·    Core is geologically logged and samples selected based on geological logging.  Samples are then dispatched to Bureau Veritas in Turkey for analysis using the following process route. ·      Whole sample is dried at 85°C, Crush to 70% -10 mesh (2mm), 100% pulverize to 85%passing -200 mesh (75 μm). ·      Au: 30gr Fire Assay / lead collection fusion / AAS finish / 5ppb - 10ppm ·      Au>10ppm (& Ag if also over-limit): 30gr / fire assay fusion / GRAVIMETRIC finish ·      24 Element (Mo, Cu, Zn, Ag, Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, As, Sr, Cd, Sb, Bi, Ca,P, Cr, Mg, Al, Na K, W, Hg, S) Aqua Regia Digest ICP-OES finish. ·    Bulk density determinations are made for all samples that are assayed, using the Archimedes method.  This measurement is completed in Oman by Savannah employees.
Drilling techniques	·    Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc).	·    Diamond drilling used HQ2 or NQ2 sized equipment.  Diamond core was not orientated. ·    Down hole surveys are completed using a single shot Tropari device at approximately 30-50m intervals down hole.
Drill sample recovery	·    Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. ·    Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. ·    Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.	·    Diamond core recoveries were recorded in the drill logs.  It is unknown if a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade. ·    Areas of poor recoveries were observed and recorded in the logging. ·    In areas of poor recovery additional drilling muds were applied to improve recovery.
Logging	·    Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. ·    Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. ·    The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.	·    All drill holes were logged for recovery, RQD, geology and structure. ·    Logging of recorded lithology, mineralogy, mineralisation, weathering, colour and other features of the samples. Diamond core was photographed wet. ·    All drill holes were logged in full.
Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation	·    If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. ·    If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. ·    For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. ·    Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. ·    Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. ·    Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.	·    HQ and NQ core was cut in half using a core saw.  ·    Certified reference standards, blanks and duplicates are routinely inserted in the sample sequence to assess the quality of sampling and analysis. ·    Sample sizes are considered appropriate for the style of mineralisation expected.
Quality of assay data and laboratory tests	·    The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. ·    For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. ·    Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established.	·    The analytical techniques used are appropriate for the elements and mineralization styles being explored for. ·    Savannahs QAQC protocol is to industry standards with standard reference material and blanks submitted at a minimum of 5% frequency rate.
Verification of sampling and assaying	·    The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. ·    The use of twinned holes. ·    Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. ·    Discuss any adjustment to assay data.	·    No independent or alternative verification of the assays has been made ·    No twin holes have been drilled ·    No adjustments have been made to the assay data
Location of data points	·    Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. ·    Specification of the grid system used. ·    Quality and adequacy of topographic control.	·    Holes have been located using a handheld GPS unit using WGS84 Zone 40N co-ordinates. ·    Holes have been downhole surveyed using a Tropari single shot device ·    Detailed topographic data is available for Maqail South.  Limited topographic data is available for Dogs Bone. ·    The quality of the data at Maqail South is excellent with elevations recorded to an accuracy of 0.1m.  Topographic data at Dogs bone is limited to a survey of the historical open pit and immediate surroundings.
Data spacing and distribution	·    Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. ·    Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. ·    Whether sample compositing has been applied.	·    Hole spacing is approximately 25m by 25m at Maqail South. ·    Hole spacing at Dogs Bone is approximately at 20m centers selectively targeting the mineralized zone. ·    Data at Maqail South is sufficient to establish geological and grade continuity needed for Mineral Resource estimation.  The current drilling is infilling previously reported Mineral Resources.
Orientation of data in relation to geological structure	·    Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. ·    If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.	·    Drill holes are angled approximately perpendicular to the orientation of the lithological trends ·    Orientation of the holes does not bias sampling data. ·    Reported intervals are down hole widths and are not necessarily true widths of mineralisation.
Sample security	·    The measures taken to ensure sample security.	·    Chain of custody is managed by Savannah. Samples are stored on site in a locked yard.  Samples are then transported to Turkey by airfreight.  Savannah personnel have no contact with the samples once they have been dispatched.
Audits or reviews	·    The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.	·    No audits or reviews of the sampling techniques or data have been completed.

 

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria	JORC Code explanation	Commentary
Mineral tenement and land tenure status	·    Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. ·    The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a license to operate in the area.	·    The Dogs Bone Prospect is located with the exploration permit referred to as Block 4.  Savannah has a 65% interest in the Block with the remainder being held by a local JV partner. ·    The Maqail South Prospect is located with the exploration permit referred to as Block 5 Savannah has a 65% interest in the Block with the remainder being held by a local JV partner. ·    The tenement is in good standing with no known impediment to renewal.
Exploration done by other parties	·    Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.	·    Previous exploration has been completed around Dogs Bone between 1980-1994 by OMCO with historical mining being completed in the area. ·    Previous exploration has been completed at Maqail South by Gentor Resources between 2010 - 2012.
Geology	·    Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.	·    The deposit type being tested is the Cyprus type VMS model.  VMS mineralisation is interpreted to have formed on a mid ocean ridge and then emplaced as an ophiolite on the Arabian Craton.  Several examples of this model exist in the region.
Drill hole Information	·    A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: o easting and northing of the drill hole collar o elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar o dip and azimuth of the hole o down hole length and interception depth o hole length. ·    If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case.	·    The location of the drilling at Dogs Bone and Maqail South are summarised in Table 1 in the body of this release. ·    Previously completed holes by Gentor at Maqail South are not all reported in this release. ·    Previously completed holes by OMCO at Dogs Bone are not all reported in this release. ·    Not all holes completed in this program by Savannah have been reported in this release.
Data aggregation methods	·    In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. ·    Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. ·    The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated.	·    Significant intersections are based on greater than 0.5% Cu and may include up to a maximum of 3.0m of internal dilution, with a minimum composite grade of 1.0% Cu. ·    Cu grades used for calculating significant intersections are uncut. ·    Minimum and maximum diamond core sample intervals used for intersection calculation are 0.2m and 1.2m respectively subject to location of geological boundaries. ·    No metal equivalents are used in the intersection calculation. ·    Where core loss occurs; the average length weighted grade of the two adjacent samples are attributed to the interval for the purpose of calculating the intersection. The maximum interval of missing core which can be incorporated with the reported intersection is 1m.
Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths	·    These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. ·    If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. ·    If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known').	·    Exploration results are reported as length weighted averages. ·    No high grade cuts have been applied to the reporting of the exploration results. ·    No metal equivalent values have been used. ·    Down hole intervals have been reported.  True widths are not known.
Diagrams	·    Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.	·    Relevant diagrams and maps have been included in the main body of the release.
Balanced reporting	·    Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.	·    All results have been reported.
Other substantive exploration data	·    Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances.	·    The interpretation of the results at Maqail South and Dogs Bone are consistent with the observations and information obtained from historical data collected and geophysical surveys completed in the area.
Further work	·    The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). ·    Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive.	·    Further drilling is planned for Dogs Bone to improve the confidence in the dimensions of the identified mineralisation.

 

END

 

 

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