Perpetual Resources extends Igrejinha’s lithium, caesium potential ahead of drilling

Perpetual Resources’ sampling validates its belief that a large, high-grade system is present at its Igrejinha project in Brazil.

Igrejinha is looking to be a major treat for Perpetual. Pic: Getty Images

• Perpetual Resources sampling reinforces the presence of high-grade lithium at Igrejinha

• Samples have also identified high-grade caesium mineralisation in historical workings

• Results validate belief the project is a large, high-grade system with potential well beyond initial expectations

Special Report: Sampling of outcropping pegmatites at Perpetual Resources’ Igrejinha project has returned impressive spodumene grades that reinforce the presence of high-grade lithium across an increasingly extensive footprint.

Notably, two rock chips exceeded the maximum detection limit of 5.38% Li2O which is in line with previously reported grades of up to 7.6% Li2O from individual 0.5m spodumene crystals.

Adding further buoyancy for Perpetual Resources (ASX:PEC), new high-grade caesium mineralisation has been identified in samples sourced from newly recognised workings associated with historical caesium mining at the Igrejinha pegmatites.

Grades exceeding the maximum detection limit of 5.3% Cs2O were noted in the samples with the company adding that historical caesium ore sorting and reject piles confirmed that past pollucite (caesium ore) extraction was conducted.

This indicates the potential for a strong caesium co-product that could add to the potential for tantalum and gallium.

New and previously reported assays at Igrejinha. Pic: Perpetual Resources

Re-interpretation and follow-up sampling has also extended the thickness of the spodumene mineralised pegmatite to more than 15m, a significant increase on previous estimates.

Mapping and multispectral analysis have already outlined an initial pegmatite trend extending up to 1.4km that remains open in both directions.

“These exceptional assay results further validate our belief that Igrejinha is a large, high-grade system with potential well beyond initial expectations,” PEC executive chairman Julian Babarczy said.

“The identification of caesium grades above lab detection limits, aligned with the site’s history of pollucite production, reinforces this view.

“With lithium-focused drilling soon to commence, we are excited to unlock the full scale and value of this highly prospective system.”

Exploration model validated

The consistent presence of exceptionally high-grade lithium and caesium mineralisation, with significant tantalum and gallium, strengthens the company’s confidence in the Igrejinha pegmatite field in Brazil’s Minas Gerais region.

This validates the company’s exploration model and highlights the attractiveness of the system ahead of the planned maiden drill campaign.

The results also suggest a robust and persistent mineralised system with potential for lateral and vertical continuity is present at the project, making it a compelling opportunity for near-term resource delineation.

Assays from ongoing soil and auger programs undertaken near mineralised pegmatites are expected for the first half of next month, while selection of a drill contractor is now in the final stages.

PEC expects to start drilling high-priority lithium zones in early June this year.

This includes down-dip and along-strike extensions of high-grade, spodumene-rich pegmatite, caesium-bearing domains confirmed by recent sampling, and associated structures mapped from LiDAR and multispectral imagery.

Listen: Julian Babarczy joins Barry FitzGerald on the podcast to discuss Perpetual's portfolio and more

This article was developed in collaboration with Perpetual Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Perpetual Resources extends Igrejinha’s lithium, caesium potential ahead of drilling