Pan Asia Metals Limited ("PAM") is pleased to report significant developments at its KT East Lithium Prospect, which is part of the larger RK Lithium Project in Southern Thailand. The latest soil and rock geochemistry results have expanded the anomalous zone by 2.8 times, thus, reinforcing the potential for a substantial lithium resource in the highly-prospective development area.
Highlights:
- Expansion of Anomalous Zone: Recent soil sampling has increased the anomalous zone to 2.1 km in length and 1.0 km in width, which is a 2.8x expansion from previously reported figures. The expansion enhances previously identified rock-chip defined trends and the presence of mapped pegmatites.
- Pegmatite Characteristics: The pegmatite dykes in the area (several between 7-10 meters wide and up to 20 meters wide), are stacked and dip moderately. This suggests that the KT East Prospect is likely amenable to open-pit mining.
- Larger Footprint for Prospect: The KT East prospect now has a larger footprint than the combined RK and BT Lithium Prospects.
- Ongoing Exploration: Extensional sampling, detailed mapping, and rock-chip sampling around the Main Zone are still ongoing, and preliminary drill sites have been identified. Drilling is scheduled to commence later in the second half of 2024.
Paul Lock, Managing Director of Pan Asia Metals, commented: “These results cement previous reports that the KT Lithium Prospect is extensive, and confirm that the pegmatite field is approximately 2.1 km in length and 1.0 km wide, 2.8x that previously reported with most of this captured in the ‘Main Zone’. PAM’s field team will continue with the grid-based soil and rock-chip sampling and geological mapping program, chasing down several areas which remain open to the northwest of the Main Zone and where there is a considerable area of historical tin mine workings. As previously stated, there are several walk-up drill targets and the team will continue to investigate other drill sites, with drilling expected to start later this year. KT East is proving to be a substantial addition to the RK Lithium Project, with the KT East Prospect larger than the RK and BT Prospects combined.”
“KT East has the potential to add substantial LCE tonnes to the RK Lithium Project. Although the underlying lithium price is off, we are looking at the bigger picture as battery demand continues on its growth path and PAM is in a low cost environment. Therefore, we expect that the RK Lithium Project, like its Chinese lepidolite counterparts, will out-compete many of the hard rock lithium projects on the basis of the cost environment, which applies to both capital and operating costs, and proximity to markets for both inputs and end products. Limestone is one such product, with Australian lithium processors importing their limestone requirements from Thailand. The field results being reported herein will continue to feed into discussions with potential strategic partners.”
Next Steps:
PAM’s exploration field team will continue to conduct grid-based soil and rock-chip sampling and geological mapping programs, so that it can understand several areas which remain open to the northwest of the Main Zone (where there is a considerable area of historical tin mine workings).
The Company is also considering a trenching program which may also act as a point of access to the site in preparation for drilling that is planned for later this year. Additional reconnaissance sampling is planned within the licensed area as well, especially at KT East NW.