Venus Metals (ASX: VMC), a prominent West Australian explorer, has unveiled promising developments from its Youanmi lithium project. A recent mapping and sampling field program has revealed the presence of two pegmatite outcrops and a secondary lithium anomaly, augmenting the project’s appeal.
Mapping and Sampling Unveils Intriguing Potential
The exploratory efforts at Youanmi have led to a significant discovery. Two distinct pegmatite outcrops have emerged, spaced approximately 40 meters apart, sharing a common feature of coarse petalite – a lithium mineral akin to spodumene. These outcrops have yielded notable assays, with lithium oxide reaching maximum values of 4.6% and 3.26% respectively.
Petalite’s Unique Position
Petalite stands out due to its advantageous properties over spodumene, primarily owing to its lower impurity content. This distinctive feature enhances its appeal as a lithium host mineral. While challenges stemming from limited outcrop visibility hinder immediate assessment of the pegmatite’s orientation and extent, Venus Metals is poised to undertake comprehensive infill soil sampling and targeted rock-chip sampling. This strategic approach is driven by the interpretation of drone imagery and will pave the way for definitive drill testing.
Global Footprint of Petalite
Venus Metals’ spotlight on petalite aligns with its significance in several lithium projects worldwide. Noteworthy examples include the Sepeda project in Portugal, where petalite forms the principal lithium host. Similarly, China’s Sinomine Resource Group operates the Bikita lithium mine in Zimbabwe, one of the world’s top 10 lithium producers, extracting 480,000 tonnes per annum of petalite ore. This mineral also finds its place alongside spodumene at the Arcadia lithium mine in Zimbabwe.
Strategic Next Steps
With palpable enthusiasm, Managing Director Matt Hogan underscores the promising findings and their implications. The current reconnaissance field visit results have set the stage for intensified soil and rock sampling, aimed at refining the contours and dimensions of the newly unearthed lithium mineralization, particularly the petalite-rich zone. Situated near the significant Youanmi Fault Zone, the project’s proximity bodes well for the potential discovery of deep-seated pegmatite clusters.
The Mid-West Potential
The Youanmi lithium project is situated in the mid-west region of Western Australia, a vibrant locale located a mere 20km southwest of the renowned Youanmi gold mine.
