Mineral development company Galileo Resources says the initial lithium analysis by an independent accredited laboratory has confirmed the presence of lithium mineralisation over a significant width in the first hole completed at the Kamativi project, in Zimbabwe.

Drilling continues to intersect multiple pegmatite dykes, some over notable widths in the same environment.

“Strongly positive” lithium results were recorded from assays of core generated from the first angled drillhole KSDD001 completed at Kamativi.

"A new lithium discovery in the Kamativi region represents a significant find, particularly in view of the historic mining and lithium potential in the region. The intersection of high-grade lithium in our first hole is particularly pleasing.

“Our detailed soil surveys and mapping have identified multiple pegmatites with swarms extending more than 4 km in strike length," enthuses Galileo chairperson and CEO Colin Bird. 

Peak values include 4 m at 1% lithium from a 35 m downhole depth, including an intercept of 1 m at 2.04% lithium within an 18-m-wide pegmatite.

Further, additional pegmatites with similar mineral characteristics to that returning lithium values in hole KSDD001 have been identified elsewhere in the same hole and in subsequently completed holes.

Further sampling is currently being undertaken.

Sampling in hole KSDD001 ended in mineralisation, and recent results from soil sampling and visual analysis indicate an extension of the original anomaly over a considerable distance.

Completion of detailed mapping coupled with the results from KSDD001 show a large target area never previously evaluated that will require additional drilling and an extension of the planned drill programme, the company says.

Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis has also indicated the presence of anomalous quantities of tin in some pegmatites intersected during drilling.