Askari Metals has expanded its Uis Project pipeline in Namibia by uncovering seven high-priority pegmatite targets through advanced hyperspectral analysis, setting the stage for upcoming reverse circulation drilling and trenching programs.
- Seven new pegmatite targets identified via in-house hyperspectral study
- Targets offer exposure to tin, tantalum, lithium, rubidium, and caesium
- On-site LIBS and pellet press commissioned to accelerate assay turnaround
- RC drilling planned next quarter on multiple EPL 7345 targets
- Regional geochemical sampling and trenching programs underway
Seven New Pegmatite Targets Expand Uis Project Pipeline
Askari Metals (ASX:AS2) has significantly broadened its exploration horizon at the Uis Project in Namibia by identifying seven new high-priority pegmatite targets. This development stems from an advanced in-house hyperspectral remote sensing study that integrates Sentinel-2 multispectral and Maxar WorldView-3 hyperspectral satellite imagery. The new targets, located across EPL 7345 and EPL 8535 licences, reinforce Uis as a polymetallic project with promising exposure to tin, tantalum, lithium, rubidium, and caesium.
Standout targets such as K10, GP, and Tawny exhibit interpreted strike lengths of up to 3.1km, 2.4km, and 2.2km respectively, expanding the project's pipeline materially ahead of the next phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling. This drilling is scheduled to commence next quarter on the DP, OP, PS, and K9 pegmatite targets at EPL 7345, aiming to further delineate mineralisation zones.
Hyperspectral Analysis Enhances Geological Mapping and Targeting
Askari's hyperspectral study leverages high-resolution satellite data processed with techniques such as decorrelation stretch, Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to distinguish pegmatite bodies from host rocks with unprecedented precision. This remote sensing approach has enabled the delineation of a 15km-long and 5km-wide “Corridor of Interest,” a zone prospective for lithium-tin-tantalum (LCT) mineralisation.
Complementing the remote sensing data, the company is progressing detailed field mapping and rock-chip sampling to convert these targets into trench-ready prospects. Regional soil and stream sediment geochemical sampling programs are also designed to test for additional concealed pegmatites within the Corridor, with all samples to be analysed on site using Askari's newly commissioned pellet press and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) machines. This on-site capability is expected to materially reduce assay turnaround times and speed up exploration decision-making.
Strategic Positioning and Upcoming Workstreams
Situated near the operating Uis Tin Mine and with access to the Walvis Bay Deepwater Port, the Uis Project benefits from established infrastructure and proximity to active mining operations. The polymetallic nature of the targets aligns with global tightening in tin supply and growing demand for critical minerals linked to electrification and energy security.
Askari has outlined a multi-pronged exploration strategy including ongoing mapping and sampling, regional geochemical surveys, and phased trenching programs on EPL 8535 and EPL 7345. These efforts will feed into a planned initial drill campaign later this year, building on prior trenching results that confirmed continuous polymetallic mineralisation across the project area. The company’s Executive Director, Gino D’Anna, emphasised the strong pipeline of near-term catalysts and the potential to unlock value through systematic exploration advancement.
Technology-Driven Exploration Accelerates Progress
Commissioning of the pellet press and LIBS equipment on site marks a significant step in streamlining sample processing and analysis. The handheld LIBS instrument enables rapid field assessment of light elements such as lithium, beryllium, magnesium, and boron, which are critical to defining the polymetallic nature of the pegmatites. This technological edge supports parallel workstreams advancing simultaneously, enhancing the pace at which Askari can refine targets and prioritise drilling.
With multiple concurrent programs underway across the Corridor of Interest, Askari Metals is positioning itself to capitalize on the strategic importance of critical minerals. The company’s methodical approach to expanding the target inventory and integrating cutting-edge remote sensing with on-the-ground exploration sets a robust foundation for upcoming resource definition efforts.
Bottom Line?
Askari Metals' expanded target pipeline and on-site assay capabilities set the stage for accelerated exploration at Uis, but the project's value will hinge on upcoming drilling results.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming RC drilling confirm the polymetallic potential suggested by remote sensing?
- How effectively will on-site LIBS and pellet press technologies reduce assay turnaround times?
- Can regional geochemical programs uncover additional concealed pegmatite targets beyond the current Corridor of Interest?