VANCOUVER, BC–(Marketwired – October 12, 2016) – Macarthur Minerals Limited (TSX VENTURE: MMS)
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Macarthur Minerals Limited (TSX VENTURE: MMS) (the “Company” or “Macarthur Minerals”) is pleased to announce that it has completed due diligence and executed a Mineral Rights Deed to complete aquisition of the Yalgoo Lithium Project, located in Western Australia.
Assays received from rock chip sampling, as part of due diligence, returned results of up to 3.75% lithium (Li2O), confirming the presence of at least two lithium bearing pegmatites, one of these a new lithium occurrence. Five rock chip samples from two pegmatites returned geochemical results between 1.68% Li2O and 3.75% Li2O. Technical information was reviewed and approved by the Company’s independent geologist, CSA Global Pty Ltd.
David Taplin, President, CEO and Director of Macarthur commented:
“Macarthur Minerals is excited about the results of the rock chip sampling up to 3.75% Li2O, showing excellent potential for lithium at the Yalgoo Lithium Project. Completion of purchase of the Yalgoo Lithium Project is an excellent addition to Macarthur’s quality portfolio of lithium assets in Western Australia and Nevada.”
Analytical Results
Initial rock chip samples collected as part of a due diligence site visit to the Yalgoo Lithium Project (“Project”) has confirmed the presence of at least two lithium bearing pegmatites, one of which is a newly identified occurrence. Five rock chip samples from two pegmatites returned geochemical results between 1.68% Li2O and 3.75% Li2O. The Company also submitted several rock chip samples for X-ray Diffraction Analysis (“XRD”). The XRD results indicate the highest grade sample is lepidolite with the other four samples, which returned grades of 1.68% Li2O to 2.05% Li2O, as lithium muscovite. Figure 1 shows the lithium results of the rock chip sampling and sample locations. A number of new pegmatites were identified during the site visit and these are aligned along a general NNW-SSE trending corridor some 1.5km wide and at least 5km in strike length hosting several beryl and lithium bearing pegmatites, as shown on Figure 1.
The results of the due diligence site visit are highly encouraging and indicate that the Project has excellent potential to host additional lithium bearing pegmatites. The lithium muscovite and lepidolite bearing pegmatite samples, in conjunction with the rubidium (Rb) and caesium (Cs) values indicate the sampled pegmatites are extremely fractionated and that the exploration licences warrant further exploration to locate additional lithium bearing pegmatites, particularly of the spodumene sub-type.
Yalgoo Lithium Project
The Project comprises of rights for lithium and other rare earth minerals over two granted exploration licences (E59/2140 and E59/2077) covering an area of 191 square kilometres (47,161 acres). The Project is close to the Company’s existing Edah Hill exploration licence application, well serviced by existing infrastructure and only 230 kilometres from the Geraldton Port.
The Project covers predominantly mafic rocks at the northern extremity of the Youanmi Terrane greenstone belt. The northerly trending greenstone belt is bound to the north, east and west by granitic rocks, with a biotite monzogranite, the interpreted; although unconfirmed, source granite for the pegmatites, located along the eastern portion of the exploration licences. The northern part of the Project covers portions of a south plunging anticline containing mafic rocks, which have been extensively invaded by pegmatites, a number of which have been prospected or mined in the past for beryl (Figure 1).
Mineral Rights Deed
The Company (through its 100% owned subsidiary Macarthur Lithium Pty Ltd (“MLi”)) has entered into a Mineral Rights Deed (“Rights Deed”) with a private gold company to purchase exclusive rights for lithium and other rare earth minerals at the Project, with the following key terms:
- MLi will pay the private company:
- A$30,000 upon execution of the Rights Deed, which has been paid;
- A$50,000 upon the first anniversary of the commencement of the Rights Deed;
- A$250,000 upon defining a 5 million tonne JORC resource of >1.2% Li2O; and
- A$500,000 upon defining a 15 million tonne JORC resource of >1.2% Li2O.
- Net smelter royalty of:
- 2.5% for lithium concentrate produced on the Project; and
- 50% of Western Australian Department of Minerals and Petroleum royalty rate for other rare earth minerals,
produced on the Project.
Company’s Strategy for Yalgoo Lithium Project
The Company now holds 21 Exploration Licence Applications and prospective interest in rights to lithium covering a total area of 2,029 square kilometres (501,376 acres) in the Pilbara, Ravensthorpe and the Yalgoo/Edah regions of Western Australia. In addition, the Company has also entered into an agreement to acquire the Stonewall Project in Nevada, which covers an area of approximately 5,700 acres (23 km2).
The underlying licences on which the rights of lithium are acquired on the Project comprise granted exploration licences, allowing for immediate exploration for lithium, including drilling.
The Company will conduct a more extensive sampling program on the Project to confirm the extent of lithium mineralisation and identify drill targets.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
Mr Porter, a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, is a full-time employee of CSA Global Pty Ltd and is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr Porter has reviewed and approved the technical information pertaining to the Project contained in this news release.
ABOUT MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED (TSX VENTURE: MMS)
Macarthur Minerals Limited is an exploration and development company that is focused on identifying and developing high grade lithium and counter cyclical investments, with significant lithium exploration interest in Australia and Nevada. In addition, Macarthur has two iron ore projects in Western Australia; the Ularring hematite project and the Moonshine magnetite project.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
MACARTHUR MINERALS LIMITED
“Cameron McCall“
Cameron McCall, Chairman
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain of the statements made and information contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements in this press release reflect the current expectations, assumptions or beliefs of the Company based upon information currently available to the Company. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the timely receipt of required approvals, the reliability of information, including historical mineral resource or mineral reserve estimates, prepared and/or published by third parties that are referenced in this press release or was otherwise relied upon by the Company in preparing this press release. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct as actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in exchange rates and certain commodity prices, uncertainties related to mineral title in the project, unforeseen technology changes that results in a reduction in iron ore demand or substitution by other metals or materials, the discovery of new large low cost deposits of iron ore, uncertainty in successfully returning the project into full operation, and the general level of global economic activity. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Such statements relate to future events and expectations and, as such, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and except as may otherwise be required pursuant to applicable laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Company Contact:
David Taplin
President, CEO and Director
[email protected]
Tel: +61 407470044
www.macarthurminerals.com
