QX RESOURCES LIMITED QX Resources Limited announced assay results from a reconnaissance rock chip sampling program undertaken at its Turner River Lithium project located within the Pilbara lithium province, Western Australia. Turner River: The sampling program followed from a detailed interpretation of remote satellite imagery and geophysical datasets, which had identified numerous priority areas across QXR's project suite at Turner River, Western Shaw and Split Rock. At Turner River, the review of the remote sensing data suggested four preferred areas for follow-up investigation and sampling programs. The field program aimed to investigate the spatial extent of this previously identified pegmatite dyke swarm, both laterally and along strike, and to undertake systematic sampling to test the mineralogical variability of the pegmatites and their potential to host lithium bearing minerals.
Principal responses were along the central north to north-east trending structural zone, with the central two zones running parallel to the strike of the Wodgina lithium mine. The observation of strong grade results from the rock chip sampling survey conducted at those sites, including one sample at 4.9% Li2O, offers a promising indication of further lithium mineralisation at Turner River. Recent developments at the site also validate QXR's decision to acquire the Exploration Licence for Turner River in September last year, capitalising on the opportunity to secure a highly prospective asset in a globally significant lithium province.
Looking ahead, additional mapping and sampling will be undertaken in the other priority areas aimed at identifying additional pegmatite dykes or dyke swarms at Turner River. Both tin and tantalum occurrences have been historically reported within the tenements. Sample Results: Small samples (<1kg each) were collected from the weathered exposures across a number of pegmatite dykes.
Minanalytical Laboratories in Perth undertook geochemical analysis of the samples for a suite of elements normally associated with pegmatite dykes. The most significant lithium responses reported to samples TR010, 011 and 012 which were taken from a reported tin prospect in the north-eastern part of tenement E45/6042. The site had evidence of shallow trenching and with micaceous clumps common on the waste piles.
The analysis of this mica revealed its high lithium content and confirmed it to be lepidolite. The source for the mica was not observable due to the trenches having collapsed. The diggings were limited to the base and on the southeast part of a low hill.
Where exposed this hill comprised deeply weathered and altered carbonate rich rocks, samples of which reported elevated Li2O. These rocks likely represent a carbonate rich intrusion with respect to the largely exposed surrounding granite terrain. However due to the limited suite of elements selected for analyses the nature of the rocks remain enigmatic.
Satellite imagery shows that the carbonate rock outcrop represented by the low hill may be part of a much larger geomorphic feature some 200m in diameter The limited sampling in this area was reconnaissance in nature aimed at assessing the prospectivity for lithium bearing rocks. The samples will be rerun through the laboratory using a much broader suite of elements, and including the REE's, Ta and other elements of potential interest.
