Positive results from ongoing lithium exploration in Finland
Nordic Mining's subsidiary Keliber Oy has carried out exploration program during the field season June-August including both checking boulders and other spodumene pegmatite indications and hunting for new ones in the areas where the company has claim reservations.
The areas are in the municipalities of Kaustinen, Ullava and Teerijärvi in Central Western Finland, some 40 km south-east of Kokkola. The exploration group consists of a senior geologist, four students of geology and a sampling assistant. The total number of target areas is eight, varying in size from one to five square kilometers. Close to 500 boulders have been reported, mapped and digitally photographed. Almost 100 drilled pulp samples have been collected for analysis. Tens of boulders are more than one cubic meter, indicating significant pegmatite vein widths. Results of this boulder mapping indicate the possibility for locating several additional pegmatite deposits. One example is the Emmes spodumene deposit, drilled in the 1960`s, and where Keliber has claims for exploration. New results and interpretations indicate potential for finding new veins south of the known deposit.
The work on the most interesting targets will continue by using different kind of sampling, geophysical measurements and core drilling.
The main spodumene deposit Länttä will be mapped in details after overburden stripping of the central area. Three separate areas will be stripped. The central and largest area is 120 x 40 m in size. The stripping results up to date confirm that the deposit has two separate main veins, varying in width but usually 3-5 m, with some narrower veins. Veins are parallel and contacts to the sedimentary waste rock are very clear.
Aim of this detailed mapping is to improve the geological and structural interpretation of drilling data. This allows increasing the tonnage of measured and indicated mineral resources in forthcoming revision of expert classification. Also channel samples will be sawn on the stripped pegmatite veins. The program will continue to early September.
A bulk sample of about 200 tonnes in weight was blasted out of the main vein at the beginning of August. A small part of this was crushed to < 45 mm for a grinding and mineral separation test program.
"The ongoing work is a promising confirmation of what we have "known" for years, but not have had sufficient technical evidence of, namely that the Ostrobothnia province most likely holds significant additional lithium resource", comments Keliber's general manager Olle Sirén. "We are strengthened in our view that the ongoing work will lead to expansion of Keliber's resource base, and consequently materially improve the outlook for the project."
For questions please contact CFO Lars K. Grøndahl, telephone +47 901 60 941.
Oslo, 19 August 2010
Nordic Mining ASA