Aim-listed Galileo Resources has started preparations for a drill programme over the Kamativi lithium/tin target, in Zimbabwe, where the company announced the discovery of a previously unknown lithium anomaly in soils and streams in March.

A contract has been signed by the company for a diamond drilling programme following on the discovery of a substantial lithium anomaly in soils on the Kamativi licence EPO 1782 adjoining the historic Kamativi tin/tantalum mine (in which Galileo does not have an interest) which contains a significant lithium tailings resource.

Galileo’s Kamativi soil anomaly, which peaks at 1 000 ppm lithium, extends over a strike length of almost 3 km, comparable to the footprint of the Arcadia lithium project, near Harare, which is considered to be one of the world’s biggest hard rock lithium resources.

A swarm of coincident pegmatite dykes has been mapped within the anomaly area which will be targeted in the first phase of drilling, with about 1 000 m of drilling planned in at least ten holes.

Other anomalies will be evaluated and drill-tested in due course. This will include one area particularly anomalous in rare earth elements.

“We have quickly moved from the discovery of a widespread lithium soil anomaly to the commencement of a drill programme at Kamativi. The anomaly is substantial, and we believe it is highly significant that the target is comparable in size to other large lithium deposits including the 42.3-million-tonne Arcadia deposit also located in Zimbabwe.

“We will quickly evaluate the target with an initial drill programme to test the stacked lithium-bearing pegmatites and results will determine the extent of follow-up drilling. The programme will also assess tin prospectivity as the recent soil and rock chip programmes also identified areas anomalous in tin,” comments CEO and chairperson Colin Bird.

The Kamativi licence EPO 1782 covers an area of 520 km² in western Zimbabwe. Galileo has an option to earn an 80% interest through spending a combined total of $1.5-million on exploration and evaluation in the project area and over the Bulawayo gold/nickel property by July 21, 2024.