Lithium and Tantalum Infill Drill Programme, Initial Results

AfriTin Mining Limited (AIM: ATM), an African technology metals mining company with a portfolio of mining and exploration assets in Namibia, is pleased to announce initial results for the lithium and tantalum drilling programme at the Company’s flagship operation, the Uis Mine (“Uis”).

The infill drilling programme is being conducted at the main V1/V2 pegmatite at Uis, which is currently being mined to extract tin, with a view to increasing the confidence of the existing lithium and tantalum estimates for the deposit. The programme consists of approximately 50 planned holes; drilling for 27 holes has been completed. This announcement reports the assay results for the first 4 holes.

Link to full PDF version with images: https://afritinmining.com/lithium-and-tantalum-infill-drill-programme-initial-results/

Highlights:

• Significant V1/V2 pegmatite intersections include:
  • 132m at 0.168% Sn, 75 ppm Ta, and 0.74% Li2O for drill hole V1V2049, from 124m to 256m;
  • 110m at 0.171% Sn, 92 ppm Ta, and 0.75% Li2O for drill hole V1V2057, from 92m to 202m;
• Pegmatite intersected in all holes at depths and apparent widths as predicted by the geological model;
• Notable intersections of lithium mineralisation within the pegmatite include:
  • 8m at 1.08% Li2O for drill hole V1V2036, from 140m to 148m;
  • 10m at 1.05% Li2O for drill hole V1V2045, from 136m to 146m;
  • 12m at 0.99% Li2O for drill hole V1V2049, from 231m to 243m; and
  • 45m at 1.04% Li2O for drill hole V1V2057, from 136m to 181m.

Anthony Viljoen (CEO) commented:
“We are very pleased to announce these drilling results which have produced lithium grades surpassing our expectations and reinforce our belief that Uis is host to one of the largest lithium resources globally. While the V1/V2 pegmatite displays impressive dimensions and is open-ended at depth, a multitude of surrounding pegmatites present significant upside potential.

“As a former mining operation, Uis has been extensively drilled but historic assaying has focused solely on the tin with no regard for the lithium or tantalum in the deposit. This programme will increase the confidence of the current lithium and tantalum estimates and is part of our strategy to bring these two commodities into production alongside our tin operation.

“Our recently released preliminary economic assessment for the Phase 2 Project in April (see announcement dated 26 April 2022) highlighted the economic potential of these by-product elements which are game changing. The construction of a new lithium pilot plant will allow us to progress to commercial production phases much faster than a new greenfield lithium resource elsewhere.”

News in full

In the interview below, Anthony Viljoen provides an overview of the business and gives a snapshot of the tin market