RICCA Resources, in response to the announcement made by Firering Strategic Minerals, has acknowledged the successful completion of the large-scale Phase II soil sampling program at the Atex lithium-tantalum project in Côte d’Ivoire.
Under the agreement with Firering, Ricca is earning up to 50% ownership of Atex and the adjacent alliance exploration license by financing the project towards production.
Key Highlights of the Lithium-Tantalum Sampling Program:
- Identification of New Pegmatite Anomalies: The Phase II soil sampling program conducted across the Atex license area has revealed several new and related pegmatite anomalies.
- Confirmation of Areas of Interest: The program has confirmed specific areas of interest that warrant further investigation through follow-up auger drilling.
- Extensive Sample Analysis: A total of 14,116 soil samples were sent to Ghana for analysis using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometry (LIBS).
- Initial Results Received: Results for batches 1 to 7 and part of batch 8, totaling 6,205 samples, have been received and plotted.
- Final Analysis and Mapping: The remaining soil samples will undergo analysis and mapping in the coming weeks, enabling the fine-tuning of the auger drilling program.
- Positive Coltan Test Results: Coremet’s initial report on coltan test work demonstrates a favorable response to magnetic separation and gravity concentration techniques. This justifies the consideration of an initial flow sheet for a gravity plant to assess recovery.
Stuart Crow, Non-Executive Chairman of Ricca Resources, expressed his satisfaction with the early results of the extensive soil sampling program conducted on the Atex license since January. He stated, “The reception of over 14,000 samples for pXRF and LIBS analysis has been highly encouraging.
The identification of pegmatite anomalies and the discovery of new target areas for auger drilling demonstrate the program’s success. The auger drilling program will commence once the final soil analysis and mapping are completed in the coming weeks.”
Crow further added, “We are also pleased with Coremet’s analysis, which indicates a positive response to magnetic separation and gravity concentration for the coltan samples.
This justifies our consideration of a gravity plant for recovery evaluation. We eagerly await the remaining results from the soil sampling program and will provide further updates on our progress in due course.”
