A columbite rock chip sample sourced from pegmatite at CuFe’s North Dam lithium project in Western Australia has returned significant niobium and tantalum results.

The company said grades of 47.1% niobium and 9.01% tantalum demonstrate the potential of pegmatites across the tenement to host critical minerals other than lithium.

The positive results follow assays of 43.93% niobium and 14.53% tantalum from rock chips collected from a stream bed in August.

Anomalous niobium

The selective sample, collected directly from an outcropping pegmatite located near a niobium soil anomaly, is reported to be biased and not representative of the true concentration of the overall pegmatite.

Broader zones of anomalous niobium (grading more than 15 and 20 parts per million) from soil geochemistry have also been interpreted at North Dam and are coincident with outcropping pegmatites to the west.

These pegmatites will be mapped in detail for the presence of columbite and included for drilling as part of a wider upcoming reverse circulation program targeting lithium oxide.

Stage 1 drill targets have been refined with field mapping and interpretation of the initial soil geochemistry.

Infill soil sampling to assist in the definition of priority drill holes has been completed and results will be incorporated into the drilling plan.

Maiden drilling program

Executive director Mark Hancock said the company was keen to keep moving forward at North Dam.

“The recent work by our team illustrates the potential of this tenement,” he said.

“We are eager to start our maiden drilling program to further understand the potential of the region.”

He said a preliminary heritage survey report had been received, with a final report expected this month that will be combined with a targeted flora survey completed in December and an approved program of works in preparation for drilling to start in July.

Tenement location

The North Dam tenement covers 14 square kilometres of the emerging Southern Yilgarn lithium belt and has been previously explored for gold and nickel.

It is located within 20km of the Mt Marion lithium mine owned by Minerals Resources (ASX: MIN) in an area with known spodumene discoveries including Bald Hill (also MinRes), Manna (Global Lithium Resources, ASX: GL1) and Buldania (Liontown Resources, ASX: LTR).

CuFe acquired North Dam in May last year from a private vendor.