New prospecting licences expand the Company’s footprint to 760km2 at the Leinster lithium property in South East Ireland
Technology Minerals Plc (LSE: TM1), the first listed UK company focused on creating a sustainable circular economy for battery metals, is pleased to announce the addition of seven new prospecting licences to its ground holding on its Leinster Lithium Property, Republic of Ireland. This addition brings the Company’s licence position to 23 licences covering a total of 760km2 of highly prospective geology with verified occurrences of spodumene-bearing lithium pegmatites. Initial reconnaissance at two localities on the new licences have already yielded two clusters of spodumene pegmatite float material with grades of up to 1.73% Li2O.
Highlights:
· Seven new licences awarded to the Company’s 100% wholly owned subsidiary LRH Resources Limited.
· The seven licences totalling 235km2 increase the overall ground holding to 760km2.
· Two localities on the new licences reported historic spodumene-bearing lithium pegmatite occurrences (Irish Base Metals Report 1977).
· A total of ten float samples were collected at two localities on Prospecting Licence Area (“PLA”) 3895 and PLA 3896.
· Four samples on PLA 3895 yielded analyses of between 1.54 – 1.79 % Li2O.
· Four samples on PLA 3896 yielded analyses of between 0.58 – 1.63 % Li2O.
· The Company believes that the new licences lie on a parallel but less well-defined structural trend to the East Carlow Deformation Zone which itself has been shown to provide the locus for spodumene pegmatite emplacement.
· The presence of structure is a key component to the anatectic genetic model for pegmatite development and emplacement in South East Ireland.
· Follow up exploration will commence to further enhance understanding of the spatial distribution of the boulder trains discovered so far, as well as the rest of the licences.
New Licences
The seven licences, which were awarded to the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary LRH Resources Limited (“LRH”) on 1 December 2022, are 100% owned. The other 16 licences which form the rest of the Company’s Leinster Property exploration block, are operated under an exclusive Option and Earn-in agreement with Global Battery Metals Ltd (“GBML”), (TSXV: GBML; OTCQB: REZZF; Frankfurt: REZ).
The seven new licences form a contiguous block with the Company’s previously issued PLA 1597 and extends the ground holding both to the NE and SW of the Knockeen and Carriglead spodumene-bearing boulder trains which were reported on that licence. Together this block of eight licences form the Company’s South Leinster Block (Figure 1 & 2).
Project |
Licence No. |
County |
Commencement |
Initial Duration |
Area |
SW Leinster |
1541 |
Wexford |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
36.61 |
SW Leinster |
1542 |
Wexford |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
20.39 |
SW Leinster |
3213 |
Kilkenny |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
43.42 |
SW Leinster |
3214 |
Kilkenny |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
43.33 |
SW Leinster |
3895 |
Wexford |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
23.74 |
SW Leinster |
3896 |
Wexford |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
34.49 |
SW Leinster |
4054 |
Wexford |
01/12/2022 |
6-years |
33.09 |
Total |
235.07 |
Table 1: List of seven new licences issued December 2022
Geology and Preliminary Reconnaissance Sampling
The new licences are located along an interpreted NE-SW structural corridor which parallels both the SE margin of the Leinster Granite Batholiths as well as the associated East Carlow Deformation Zone (ECDZ) structural corridor. The ECDZ has provided a structural locus for a series of spodumene pegmatite occurrences which have been identified over 110km of extent between Dublin (and the Company’s Northern Block), and the Company’s Knockeen and Carriglead prospects on PLA 1597 to the south. The second structural corridor is interpreted to trend parallel and to the south of the ECDZ as it passes through the Company’s new licences.
Evidence for spodumene pegmatites relating to two historical boulder trains were reported in archive reports and maps at the Geological Survey of Ireland and date back to 1977. A brief reconnaissance visit to the two areas by the Company’s geologists on PLAs 3895 and 3896 have confirmed the presence of numerous boulders of spodumene pegmatite. Ten samples were collected for analysis during this initial reconnaissance visit.
The results of the sampling are presented below in Table 2 with the four samples on PLA 3895 returning assay values of between 1.54 – 1.79 % Li2O with four further samples on PL 3896 reporting between 0.58 – 1.63 % Li2O. Two further samples AES61135 and AES61136 comprising of altered lithologies associated with the pegmatites were also analysed (Table 2). The spatial distribution of the sampling across the two areas are presented in Figures 1-3 below. Ongoing geological mapping, and sampling by the Company will further define this zone and determine the full pegmatite prospectivity.
Project |
Sample Type |
Sample No |
Licence |
Li ppm |
Li2O% |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61127 |
3895 |
7260 |
1.56 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61128 |
3895 |
7140 |
1.54 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61129 |
3895 |
7990 |
1.72 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61130 |
3895 |
8300 |
1.79 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61131 |
3896 |
2700 |
0.58 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61132 |
3896 |
5600 |
1.21 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61133 |
3896 |
7570 |
1.63 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61134 |
3896 |
4490 |
0.97 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61135 |
3896 |
119 |
0.03 |
LRHR Leinster Project |
Float |
AES61136 |
3896 |
102 |
0.02 |
Table 2: Results from reconnaissance prospecting * Li2O % = Li % x 2.153
Figure 1: Location of the company properties showing the Northern Block (15 licences)
and the Southern Block (eight licences)
Figure 2: Location of eight licences (seven new) comprising the Southern Block
Figure 3: Reconnaissance Sampling PLAs 3895 and 3896
Photo 1: Spodumene pegmatite samples from PLA 3895: AES61127 (1.56% Li2O) and AES61129 (1.72% Li2O) and PLA 3896: AES61132 (1.21% Li2O)
Alex Stanbury, CEO of Technology Minerals, said: “We are pleased to add seven new prospecting licences to our Leinster Project, increasing our strategic foothold at the Leinster lithium property in South East Ireland by over 40 percent to 760km2. We consider these to be exciting additions to our portfolio and look forward to commencing further exploration to enhance our understanding of the project’s potential. Given the supply squeeze taking place for lithium globally, finding new sources of primary supply will be critical to help power the move to a carbon neutral economy.”
Competent Person
All scientific and technical information in this announcement has been prepared under the supervision of EuroGeol Vaughan Williams M.Sc. P.Geo (a Principal of Aurum Exploration Services who currently provides exploration services to TM and to LRH), and a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. Vaughan Williams is also company secretary of LRH and a Director of the LRH Spanish subsidiary Asturmet Recursos S.L.
Enquiries
Technology Minerals Plc |
|
Robin Brundle, Executive Chairman Alexander Stanbury, Chief Executive Officer |
+44 20 4582 3500 |
|
|
Oberon Investments Limited |
|
Nick Lovering, Adam Pollock |
+44 (0)20 3179 0535 |
Arden Partners Plc |
|
Tim Dainton, Louisa Waddell |
+44 207 614 5900 |
Gracechurch Group |
|
Harry Chathli, Alexis Gore, William Dobinson |
+44 20 4582 3500 |
Technology Minerals Plc
Technology Minerals is developing the UK’s first listed, sustainable circular economy for battery metals, using cutting-edge technology to recycle, recover, and re-use battery technologies for a renewable energy future. Technology Minerals is focused on extracting raw materials required for Li-ion batteries, whilst solving the ecological issue of spent Li-ion batteries, by recycling them for re-use by battery manufacturers. With the increasing global demand for battery metals to supply electrification, the group will explore, mine, and recycle metals from spent batteries. Further information on Technology Minerals is available at www.technologyminerals.co.uk
Appendix 1: Analytical Results
Sample_ID |
Programme |
Li_ppm |
Li2O% |
Prospect |
AES63003 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
17,410 |
3.75 |
Knockeen |
AES63033 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
16,860 |
3.63 |
Knockeen |
AES63519 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
13,160 |
2.83 |
Knockeen |
AES63015 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
13,050 |
2.81 |
Knockeen |
AES63029 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
12,920 |
2.78 |
Knockeen |
AES63042 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
12,580 |
2.71 |
Knockeen |
AES63014 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
12,200 |
2.63 |
Knockeen |
AES63021 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
12,040 |
2.59 |
Knockeen |
AES63018 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,980 |
2.58 |
Knockeen |
AES63011 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,820 |
2.54 |
Knockeen |
AES63023 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,620 |
2.50 |
Knockeen |
AES63028 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,580 |
2.49 |
Knockeen |
AES63041 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,570 |
2.49 |
Knockeen |
AES63037 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,510 |
2.48 |
Knockeen |
AES63016 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,460 |
2.47 |
Knockeen |
AES63044 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,340 |
2.44 |
Knockeen |
AES63012 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
11,180 |
2.41 |
Knockeen |
AES63008 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
9,920 |
2.14 |
Knockeen |
AES63048 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
9,520 |
2.05 |
Knockeen |
AES63043 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
9,360 |
2.02 |
Knockeen |
AES63027 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,820 |
1.90 |
Knockeen |
AES63046 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,790 |
1.89 |
Knockeen |
AES63516 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,370 |
1.80 |
Knockeen |
AES63036 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,300 |
1.79 |
Knockeen |
AES63007 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,090 |
1.74 |
Knockeen |
AES63026 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,030 |
1.73 |
Knockeen |
AES63010 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,890 |
1.70 |
Knockeen |
AES63517 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,910 |
1.70 |
Knockeen |
AES63512 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,840 |
1.69 |
Knockeen |
AES63017 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,550 |
1.63 |
Knockeen |
AES63520 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,370 |
1.59 |
Knockeen |
AES63049 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,100 |
1.53 |
Knockeen |
AES63515 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,040 |
1.52 |
Knockeen |
AES63024 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
6,190 |
1.33 |
Knockeen |
AES63031 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
6,140 |
1.32 |
Knockeen |
AES63013 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
5,720 |
1.23 |
Knockeen |
AES63019 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
5,420 |
1.17 |
Knockeen |
AES63030 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
5,300 |
1.14 |
Knockeen |
AES63034 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
4,960 |
1.07 |
Knockeen |
AES63039 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
4,790 |
1.03 |
Knockeen |
AES63022 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
4,710 |
1.01 |
Knockeen |
AES63514 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
4,300 |
0.93 |
Knockeen |
AES63045 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
4,290 |
0.92 |
Knockeen |
AES63025 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
3,940 |
0.85 |
Knockeen |
AES63032 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
3,550 |
0.76 |
Knockeen |
AES63035 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
2,680 |
0.58 |
Knockeen |
AES63009 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
1,920 |
0.41 |
Knockeen |
AES63047 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
1,480 |
0.32 |
Knockeen |
AES63038 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
450 |
0.10 |
Knockeen |
AES63001 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
120 |
0.03 |
Knockeen |
AES63002 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
120 |
0.03 |
Knockeen |
AES63004 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
120 |
0.03 |
Knockeen |
AES63005 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
130 |
0.03 |
Knockeen |
AES63513 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
100 |
0.02 |
Knockeen |
AES63518 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
80 |
0.02 |
Knockeen |
AES63006 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
60 |
0.01 |
Knockeen |
Table 4: Results from follow up prospecting at Knockeen (December 2022)
* Li2O % = Li ppm % (x 2.153)
Sample_ID |
Programme |
Li_ppm |
Li2O% |
Prospect |
AES63504 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
9,720 |
2.09 |
Carriglead |
AES63503 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
8,890 |
1.91 |
Carriglead |
AES63509 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,870 |
1.69 |
Carriglead |
AES63501 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
7,460 |
1.61 |
Carriglead |
AES63507 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
5,620 |
1.21 |
Carriglead |
AES63505 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
5,120 |
1.10 |
Carriglead |
AES63508 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
3,280 |
0.71 |
Carriglead |
AES63511 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
500 |
0.11 |
Carriglead |
AES63506 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
330 |
0.07 |
Carriglead |
AES63502 |
Follow Up Sampling Dec 2022 |
290 |
0.06 |
Carriglead |
Table 5: Results from follow up prospecting at Carriglead (December 2022)
* Li2O % = Li ppm % (x 2.153)