The board of Sirios Resources Inc. stated that large tantalum anomalies previously found in till samples from the Maskwa site will be the subject of lithium-targeted follow-up studies. IOS Services Géoscientiques Inc. of Saguenay, Quebec (IOS) has been given the task of completing it. IOS will gather more than 110 till samples along sampling lines (WNW-ESE) over two target zones.
Image Credit: Sirios Resources Inc.
The 2020 survey indicated the possibility of spodumene-bearing pegmatites (a mineral that supplies lithium), and the planned study would examine the Maskwa property for their existence. The investigation would also examine abnormalities in gold and tungsten that have already been found.
Sampling lines at intervals of 500–2000 m is planned up-ice of the abnormal results already found, perpendicular to the major ice flow. As shown on the map below, the kinds of surficial deposits and the availability of till are taken into consideration when determining the distance between samples. To finish the regional sampling of the land, sampling lines 2 km apart with samples obtained at 250 m intervals are planned in the northeastern half of the property.
The previous till sampling study had found three notable tantalum anomalies, each with grain counts over 100 tantalum minerals, mostly colombotantalites (niobium tantalum oxide minerals), with a high of 179 grains.
These findings come from the 97 heavy mineral concentrates subjected to the ARTGold method, an automated mineral identification technique using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). On behalf of clients like the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests, this IOS unique technology has shown its efficacy in the area of the Pontax lithium deposit.
The mineral colombotantalite is mostly found in pegmatites of the LCT (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) type, which are the primary source of lithium, and in some alkaline igneous rocks. The volcanic rocks in the southern part of the LaGrande Subprovince, which is the location of the Maskwa property, contain many occurrences of LCT pegmatites.
About the Maskwa Property
The Maskwa property is located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec, about 100 kilometers southwest of Radisson and 120 kilometers east of Wemindji. The property is made up of 396 claims totaling around 201 km2.
In addition to the tantalum anomalies, the till survey conducted in 2020 discovered three regions on the site that were anomalous in gold, platinum group, and tungsten minerals. Such correlations are thought to be predictive of specific types of gold resources.