Askari Metals Targets Buried Pegmatites in New Uis Exploration Phase

Strategic Expansion at Uis Project

Askari Metals Limited (ASX: AS2) has announced the commencement of Phase I exploration activities on its EPL 7626 licence, part of the broader Uis Project in Namibia's Erongo Region. This licence is strategically positioned contiguous to the operating Uis Tin Mine, owned by Andrada Mining, which hosts a substantial JORC-compliant mineral resource including lithium, tin, and tantalum. The proximity to an active mine with proven resources underscores the potential for Askari’s licence to host economically significant polymetallic mineralisation.

Innovative Exploration Techniques

Askari’s exploration strategy integrates cutting-edge remote sensing and geochemical methods. An in-house study using Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite imagery combined with Principal Component Analysis and decorrelation stretch techniques has revealed lithological zones beneath surface cover that mirror the pegmatite-hosting mica schists known from adjacent licences. These findings have informed the design of a comprehensive soil geochemical sampling campaign across approximately 54 square kilometres of EPL 7626, employing a 200 x 200 metre grid to detect geochemical halos indicative of buried lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.

Samples collected will be processed and analysed on-site using Askari’s proprietary Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technology and pellet press equipment. This approach promises rapid turnaround times and cost efficiencies, enabling the team to swiftly identify high-priority targets for follow-up investigation.

Building on Regional Success

The Uis Project area is renowned for its complex pegmatite mineralisation, historically mined for tin and semi-precious stones, and increasingly recognised for lithium and tantalum potential. Andrada Mining’s adjacent operations have recently reported high-grade lithium intersections, reinforcing the prospectivity of the region. Askari’s exploration team, led by Chief Project and Exploration Manager Clifford Fitzhenry, is poised to leverage these geological insights to expand the footprint of known mineralisation onto EPL 7626.

Looking Ahead

Following the initial soil sampling, Askari plans to conduct infill sampling to refine anomaly zones and commence trenching programs to test the subsurface extent of mineralisation. These systematic steps aim to progressively de-risk the licence and build a robust exploration pipeline. Concurrently, the company is advancing its exploration strategies in Ethiopia and Tanzania, targeting gold and uranium projects, respectively, signaling a diversified approach to resource development in Africa.

Executive Director Gino D’Anna highlighted the value of the company’s remote sensing methodology and in-house analytical capabilities in accelerating exploration progress and enhancing target definition. The coming months are expected to deliver a steady flow of exploration updates, potentially reshaping Askari’s resource profile and market positioning.