Pegmatite Intersected in Every Hole of Drilling

RNS Number : 7208C
Firering Strategic Minerals PLC
13 October 2022
 

Firering Strategic Minerals plc / EPIC: FRG / Market: AIM / Sector: Mining

 

13 October 2022

 

Firering Strategic Minerals plc

("Firering" or "the Company")

 

First Phase D iamond Drilling Complete - Awaiting Lithium Assays

Pegmatite Intersected in Every Hole with Visual Mineralisation Identified in

 18 out of the 19 holes Drilled -

 

Firering Strategic Minerals plc, an exploration company focusing on critical minerals, is pleased to announce the results and completion of its Phase 1 diamond drill ("DD") programme on its flagship Atex Lithium-Tantalum Project ("Atex"), in Côte d'Ivoire.

 

Highlights

 

· Drilled the final eight holes of the Phase 1 DD programme, resulting in a total of 19 holes drilled and 3,039m of drilling.

 

· Pegmatite intersected in all 19 drill holes.

 

· Visual identification of lithium mineralisation in 18 of the 19 drill holes.  Intercepts include:

Hole 4: 9.3m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene and lepidolite.

Hole 4: 19.8m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene.

Hole 5: 11.6m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene.

Hole 6: 20.3m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene.

Hole 8: 11.2m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene.

Hole 11: 21.5m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene.

Hole 18: 16.7m (apparent thickness) showing spodumene and lepidolite.

 

· Prepared half-core samples for assaying with the first results expected during Q4 2022.

 

· Twenty samples were collected from the drill core for future petrographic (thin sections) and X-ray diffraction ("XRD") analysis.

 

·   Samples of colluvium and weathered pegmatite were sent to Cormet in South Africa for metallurgical test work.

 

Nineteen diamond drill holes were completed around and along strike from Spodumene Hill

· Have now successfully completed a total of nineteen diamond drill ("DD") holes targeting the potential Li-bearing pegmatites for a total of 3,039m.

· All drill holes have been drilled at a dip of 50 degrees to either the northwest or southeast to intersect the steeply dipping, north-northeast striking pegmatites (see map overleaf).



 

Yuval Cohen, Chief Executive of Firering, said:

 

"I am pleased to provide our next update regarding our Phase 1 core drilling programme, which has been completed successfully.  Nineteen holes were drilled, and pegmatites were intersected in every hole.  Lithium mineralisation was visually observed in eighteen out of the nineteen holes, and we are now eagerly awaiting the assay results, the first of which should arrive during Q4 2022.  We look forward to providing the market with these assay results in due course".

 

 

Map showing all nineteen drill holes and eight trenches completed across and along strike from Spodumene Hill.

 



 

Initial visual observations of the drill core

· All nineteen holes drilled intersected pegmatites and have been logged in detail.

· Visible lithium mineralisation is present in eighteen out of the nineteen holes.

·   The first batch of prepared half-core samples arrived at Intertek Laboratories in Perth on 21 September 2022 for assaying.

· First assay results are expected in Q4 2022.

· XRD and petrographic (thin section) analysis on the 20 samples selected from the drill core will commence once assay results have come in.

· Additional XRD analysis will also be conducted on the basis of the assay results.

Results of all nineteen holes drilled during Phase 1 are shown in the table below.

 

Hole ID

UTM29N/WGS84

Hole depth (m)

Azimuth (magnetic)

Dip

Comments

Easting (m)

Northing (m)

Elevation (m)

TVDD0001

775076

1097616

405

199

124°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0002

774969

1097497

403

201.1

124°

-50°

No visible lithium mineralisation observed

TVDD0003

775278

1097417

407

200.95

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0004

775176

1097723

390

161.6

124°

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0005

775218

1097384

409

131.8

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0006

775195

1097311

407

122.7

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0007

775393

1097775

397

209.7

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0008

775059

1097204

403

161.7

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0009

774881

1097280

403

149.8

124°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0010

775142

1097741

397

200.75

124°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0011

775312

1097453

402

157.9

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0012

775252

1097364

401

131.8

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0013

775234

1097293

408

164.6

304°

-50°

Visible spodumene

TVDD0014

774817

1097154

399

111

124

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0015

774780

1096969

406

136

124

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0016

774958

1096651

409

212.6

124

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0017

774882

1096936

405

131.7

124

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0018

775280

1097668

405

119.6

304

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

TVDD0019

775299

1097551

408

134.8

304

-50°

Visible spodumene and lepidolite

 

A picture containing ground, old, dirty Description automatically generated

Some photographs of recent core with visible spodumene (left) and spodumene and lepidolite (right).

 

Pegmatite intercepts of 1m or more are shown in the following table.

 

 

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Intersection length (m)

Lithium mineralisation observed

TVDD0001

53.5

57.5

4

Spodumene

TVDD0002

4.85

6.75

1.9


TVDD0002

68.3

69.68

1.38


TVDD0002

72.02

73.05

1.03


TVDD0002

78.6

81.61

3.01


TVDD0002

98.72

100.1

1.38


TVDD0003

37.25

44.7

7.45


TVDD0003

44.7

48.65

3.95

Spodumene

TVDD0003

48.65

52.6

3.95


TVDD0003

60.7

89.6

28.9


TVDD0003

111.1

112.65

1.55


TVDD0004

67.7

69.05

1.35

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

69.53

71.47

1.94


TVDD0004

71.64

75.37

3.73

Spodumene

TVDD0004

75.94

81.84

5.9

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

81.84

85.5

3.66

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

85.5

91.2

5.7

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

91.2

100.45

9.25

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

100.75

104.9

4.15

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0004

104.9

107

2.1


TVDD0004

107

126.8

19.8

Spodumene

TVDD0004

126.8

129.11

2.31

Spodumene

TVDD0004

129.91

133.7

3.79


TVDD0004

133.7

138.61

4.91


TVDD0004

138.61

139.95

1.34


TVDD0005

38.85

44.42

5.57


TVDD0005

60.9

72.53

11.63

Spodumene

TVDD0005

72.53

78.92

6.39

Lepidolite

TVDD0005

78.92

80.2

1.28

Lepidolite

TVDD0005

80.2

81.93

1.73


TVDD0006

16.05

20

3.95


TVDD0006

20

22.85

2.85


TVDD0006

22.85

26.3

3.45


TVDD0006

26.3

32.3

6


TVDD0006

32.3

44.4

12.1

Spodumene

TVDD0006

44.4

56.8

12.4


TVDD0006

56.8

60

3.2


TVDD0006

60

64.55

4.55

Lepidolite

TVDD0006

64.55

67.1

2.55

Spodumene

TVDD0006

67.1

87.4

20.3

Spodumene

TVDD0006

87.4

89.9

2.5


TVDD0007

73.14

74.41

1.27


TVDD0007

82.1

83.71

1.61


TVDD0007

185.6

191.04

5.44

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0007

196.57

199.24

2.67


TVDD0008

31

42.24

11.24

Spodumene

TVDD0008

52.58

58

5.42

Spodumene

TVDD0008

103.68

104.83

1.15


TVDD0009

23.61

38.19

14.58


TVDD0009

44.3

45.63

1.33

Spodumene

TVDD0009

50.34

58.01

7.67

Spodumene

TVDD0009

69.03

70.79

1.76


TVDD0010

58.15

62.78

4.63

Spodumene

TVDD0010

66.56

68.69

2.13

Lepidolite

TVDD0010

95.54

108.04

12.5

Spodumene

TVDD0010

153.35

157.07

3.72

Spodumene

TVDD0010

158.7

162.35

3.65

Spodumene

TVDD0010

185.52

186.56

1.04

Lepidolite

TVDD0011

6.4

7.75

1.35


TVDD0011

40.82

44.28

3.46

Spodumene

TVDD0011

49.21

50.64

1.43

Spodumene

TVDD0011

53.2

54.55

1.35

Spodumene

TVDD0011

54.55

76

21.45

Spodumene

TVDD0011

76

78.64

2.64


TVDD0011

78.64

84.75

6.11


TVDD0012

27

32.27

5.27

Spodumene

TVDD0012

33.95

38.8

4.85

Spodumene

TVDD0012

38.8

46.3

7.5

Spodumene

TVDD0012

46.3

59.05

12.75


TVDD0013

61.42

70.37

8.95


TVDD0013

85.15

96.18

11.03

Spodumene

TVDD0014

31.09

39.4

8.31

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0014

39.4

44.44

5.04


TVDD0015

30.1

41.57

11.47

Lepidolite

TVDD0015

87.72

91.43

3.71


TVDD0016

10.7

18.71

8.01


TVDD0016

34.04

50.02

15.98


TVDD0016

50.64

55.74

5.1


TVDD0016

65.2

69.02

3.82


TVDD0016

72.74

84.37

11.63


TVDD0016

91.31

104.88

13.57

Spodumene

TVDD0016

104.88

107.7

2.82


TVDD0016

122.25

123.28

1.03


TVDD0016

138.36

139.4

1.04


TVDD0016

141.1

152.3

11.2


TVDD0016

152.3

171.62

19.32

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0016

171.62

184.43

12.81


TVDD0016

184.43

186.18

1.75


TVDD0016

186.18

195.39

9.21

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0017

17.7

24.4

6.7

Spodumene

TVDD0017

26.6

28.4

1.8


TVDD0017

29.4

37.45

8.05

Lepidolite

TVDD0018

67.51

70.99

3.48

Lepidolite

TVDD0018

77.39

79.48

2.09

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0018

79.48

82.77

3.29

Spodumene

TVDD0018

82.77

99.5

16.73

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0018

99.5

102.33

2.83

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0019

60.42

67.12

6.7

Spodumene + Lepidolite

TVDD0019

71.53

81.34

9.81

Spodumene

TVDD0019

81.34

92.46

11.12

Spodumene

 

 

Note: Intersections show apparent thickness, not true thickness. The relationship between true and apparent thickness has not yet been established.

 

Metallurgical test work

· All planned pits, including three additional pits, on and around Spodumene Hill were completed.

· All pits were sampled and analysed for tantalum using Firering's new Vanta pXRF.

· Composite samples containing tantalum were prepared and sent to Coremet in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2022 for metallurgical test work.

· A separate sample of 30kg of lepidolite was also sent to Coremet for test work.

 

Environmental and Social Governance

· Officially opened an additional water borehole in the nearby village of Touvré on 21 September 2022 in the presence of local, regional and national authorities (see photographs below).

 

Pictures taken during the official opening of the water borehole in Tounvré, 21 September 2022.

 

 

Competent Person

In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, Firering discloses that Michael Cronwright of CSA Global is the Competent Person that has reviewed the technical information contained in this document. Michael Cronwright has a Pr.Sci.Nat with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions ("SACNASP") and is a member in good standing with SACNASP. Mr Cronwright has the appropriate relevant qualifications, experience, competence and independence to act as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Michael Cronwright consents to the inclusion of the information in this announcement in the form and context in which it appears.

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK VERSION OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO 596/2014 WHICH IS PART OF ENGLISH LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED.  ON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

*** ENDS ***

 

For further information and updates on Firering's exploration programme, visit www.fireringplc.com or contact the following:

 

Firering Strategic Minerals

Yuval Cohen

Tim Daniel

Tel: +44 20 7236 1177

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited

Nominated Adviser

Neil Baldwin / James Keeshan / Adam Dawes

Tel: +44 20 3368 3550

 

Optiva Securities Limited

Broker

Christian Dennis / Daniel Ingram

Tel: +44 20 3137 1903

St Brides Partners Limited

Financial PR

Ana Ribeiro / Susie Geliher / Isabelle Morris

T: +44 20 7236 1177

E:  firering @stbridespartners.co.uk

 

Notes to Editors:

 

Firering Strategic Minerals

Firering Strategic Minerals plc is an AIM-quoted mining company focused on exploring and developing a portfolio of mines producing critical minerals in the Côte d'Ivoire including lithium and Tantalum to support the global transition to net zero emissions. It operates the Atex  Lithium-Tantalum Project  in northern Côte d'Ivoire, which is prospective for both lithium and tantalum.  Firering intends to advance development at Atex with a view to establishing a maiden lithium resource and a pilot scale production of ethically sourced tantalum and niobium within 18 months to generate early revenues and support further exploration work.  Provided pilot production is successful, a large-scale Tantalum production facility will be developed, which will be supported by a debt facility of FCFA 5,057,000,000 (approximately €7,500,000) currently under negotiation to fund the entire scale-up plan to develop a portfolio of ethically sourced mineral projects in the Côte d'Ivoire, supplying EV batteries, high tech electronics and other fast-growing end markets.

 

Glossary of Technical Terms

 

Pegmatite

An igneous rock typically of granitic composition, which is distinguished from other igneous rocks by the extremely coarse size of its crystals, or by an abundance of crystals with skeletal, graphic, or other strongly directional growth habits, or by a prominent spatial zonation of mineral assemblages

Lepidolite

Lepidolite is a purple to lilac-grey or rose-coloured member of the mica group of minerals. It has chemical formula K(Li,Al)3(Al, Si)4O10(F,OH)2. It is part of the polylithionite, lepidolite, and trilithionite group of minerals which share similar properties and but have varying ratios of lithium and aluminium in their chemical formulas and a potential secondary source of lithium.

Spodumene

Spodumene is a pyroxene group mineral with a chemical formula of LiAlSi2O6. Spodumene is mined from pegmatites and concentrates produced which are the one of the primary sources of lithium.

XRD

x-Ray diffraction (XRD), or x-ray powder diffraction, utilizes x-ray radiation on crystalline organic and inorganic samples. The rays are diffracted in a pattern determined by the position, arrangement, and size of the constituents of the crystal.

pXRF

portable X-ray Fluorescence  handheld device that uses X-rays to excite matter at the atomic level for determining approximate chemical compositions. A built in CPU and display on the back of the unit provide live geochemical results within seconds.

 

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