Ophir confirms Spodumene at Radis in NWQ

Ophir Gold Corp. has announced that it has confirmed multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite outcrops on its Radis Lithium Property (the "Property"), located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec. The Property is located approximately 70 km east-northeast of Wemindji and proximal to the all-season Billy-Diamond Highway and hydro-power line infrastructure in the region.

Highlights

• Confirmation of historically mapped "Lithium Pegmatite" (newly termed 'Chou Showing') returned three (3) outcrop samples of 2.33%, 1.68 % and 1.17%, Li2O

• Newly discovered spodumene pegmatite, the 'Navet Showing', in the area historically described as tourmaline pegmatite with one (1) outcrop sample assaying 1.26% Li2O 

• Two (2) additional Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") pegmatite outcrops discovered (newly termed 'Courgette Showing') proximal to Navet Showing, assaying 867 ppm and 227 ppm Ta2O5

Shawn Wescott, Company CEO comments: "We are off to an incredible start with only 1.5 days spent on the Property before activities were forced to be paused due to regional forest fires. Ophir now has two (2) confirmed spodumene-bearing pegmatite outcrops proving the potential at Radis. The vast majority of the Property remains unexplored for its lithium potential and we feel that we have just barely scratched the surface from this initial phase of exploration. We look forward to getting back on the ground when conditions allow to aggressively follow-up on these discoveries."

The 2023 exploration program began on June 2nd and extended for just 1.5 days before being paused due to regional forest fires at the request of the ministry (see news release dated June 5, 2023). While on site, field crews targeted the historically documented lithium/spodumene pegmatite outcrop occurrences identified from data compilation. Over this 1.5 day period, a total of eleven (11) samples were collected from ten (10) outcrops and one (1) boulder. Of these samples, four (4) returned values >1.0% Li2O up to a peak value of 2.33% Li2O (Table 1, Figure 1). The results confirm the presence of spodumene pegmatite on the Property at two (2) locations - the Chou Showing (2.33% Li2O) and Navet Showing (1.26% Li2O), separated by approximately 2.1 km.

Additionally, approximately 500 m along trend of the Navet Showing, towards the Chou Showing, two (2) Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") pegmatite outcrops (the Courgette Showing) were discovered. Although poorly mineralized in lithium, both samples returned high-grade tantalum (227 ppm and 867 ppm Ta2O5, respectively). This discovery further strengthens the potential of the trend between the Navet and Chou showings, and highlights the presence of a sizable LCT pegmatite system in the area. As a LCT pegmatite with nominal lithium content, may be immediately proximal to a LCT pegmatite with significant lithium content, the presence of these two (2) outcrops is significant. 

Due to the work stoppage, the field team was not able to properly map the pegmatite outcrops discovered, nor complete a significant evaluation of the area surrounding the Chou and Navet showings. The area in between and extensions along strike, including the 300 ft x 70 ft potential spodumene zone identified from historical data compilation (see news release dated March 14, 2023), remain to be fully evaluated. The Company will aggressively follow-up on these initial results as soon as conditions permit access, as well as continue to carry-out its wider lithium pegmatite exploration program as planned across the Property.

Tags: Quebec / Exploration / Battery Metals / All Articles