Montero Mining and Exploration has completed an initial channel sampling program at the Soris Lithium Project in central Namibia which returned an average lithium grade of 0.76% Li2O with values up to 3.66% Li2O from all channel samples. The best result from channel sampling returned 14 metres of 1.93% Li2O. The channel sampling program was designed to test lithium bearing spodumene mineralization in a number of pegmatites on the property where prior operators mined for tantalum and tin and did not test the lithium potential of the property.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, “Montero’s first channel sampling program has confirmed lithium, tantalum and tin mineralization over a 2.4 km strike length of exposed pegmatite. Channel MC1 returned 14m at an average grade of 1.93% Li2O where the best individual sample assayed 3.66% Li2O. Montero’s primary interest at Soris is to test the lithium content of the spodumene bearing pegmatites to establish a lithium resource. Prior operators never tested for lithium. Initial Lithium assay results from prior operator RC drill holes are expected shortly which will provide Montero an understanding of the lithium potential in a third dimension. These, along with mineralogical test results designed to understand metallurgy, will enable Montero to decide whether to proceed with trying to define a lithium resource.”
The lithium, tantalum and tin values from Channel MC1 and Channel NC1 returned the best lithium values. The width of exposed pegmatite at Channel MC1 is 24m and Channel NC1 is 16m although all the pegmatite was not necessarily sampled due to surface rubble. Nico Scholtz Pr.Sci.Nat. carried out the channel sampling program for Montero and the locations are outlined below.
