Exploration Commences On The Atikokan Lithium Property

VANCOUVER - New Energy Metals Corp. has commenced exploration work at the Atikokan Lithium property located in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Field crews have mobilized and are conducting geological mapping, prospecting, and sampling. During the current phase of exploration, an experienced field team has been deployed to conduct field prospecting activities across the claim block. This process will involve the systematic examination and sampling of the potential fertile granitic pegmatite dykes for lithium and other rare elements. This crucial step will provide valuable insights into the mineralogy and lithium content of the identified pegmatites, aiding in the development of an extensive understanding of the property's lithium exploration potential for further work. Initial scanning of samples will be carried out by a handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), which has recently emerged as a tool for instant geochemical analysis versus traditional laboratory analysis and resultant lag time. The LIBs can measure Li in minerals, rocks, soils, and brines in-situ in the field.

The Atikokan Lithium Property consists of 4 mining claims comprising 3,788 hectares and is located approximately 12 km east of Atikokan, Ontario. Geologically, the claims straddle the contact between a peraluminous S-type muscovite-bearing granite and metasediments within the Quetico subprovince. The Quetico-Marmion subprovincial boundary lies just 4 km north of the Property. Numerous lithium deposits of northwestern Ontario occur proximal to a subprovincial boundary. Muscovite-bearing pegmatite dykes and small pegmatitic granite masses are widely exposed along Highway 11 between Nym Lake Road junction and west to Niobe Lake. Historically, the Atikokan area has documented strongly anomalous lake sediment results in Li, Rb, Cs, Ga and Sn.

Recently, lithium has been the primary mineral of economic interest in northwestern Ontario where lithium and rare-element mineralization style is dominantly hosted within spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes. Reconnaissance mapping and sampling by Breaks et al., 2003 along Highway 11 concluded that “the discovery of columbite-tantalite group minerals and beryl by this survey gives strong indications that, with careful prospecting, further rare-element minerals may be discovered.  

“We are thrilled to initiate exploration activities at the Atikokan Lithium Property,” said Rishi Kwatra, CEO. “We have engaged industry professionals with significant local knowledge to execute our Phase 1 exploration program.”