Kodal Minerals reports promising results from Bougouni tests

West Africa-focused mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals announced high grade rock chip results from the first dispatch of samples from the reconnaissance rock chip sampling at its lithium interests in Southern Mali on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the first rock-chip assay results confirmed high-grade lithium mineralisation at the Bougouni lithium project, with up to 2.04% Li2O returned for sampling at the Sogola pegmatite vein located within Bougouni.

New areas of high-grade lithium mineralisation were identified within Bougouni with assay results up 1.9% Li2O and 1.65% Li2O.

An additional 44 rock-chip samples were pending analysis from the ongoing geological reconnaissance at Bougouni, and reverse circulation drilling was continuing with the programme expected to be completed in mid-December.

That drilling was targeting the Bougouni's Sogola, Ngoualana and Kola veins initially, with further geological exploration to develop the new high-grade targets for drilling.

Initial results from the Diendio lithium project confirmed the presence of lithium mineralisation, with a maximum result of 0.03% Li2O returned from limited sampling, the company’s board added.

“These initial rock-chip results confirm the presence of high-grade lithium mineralisation at Bougouni and reinforced our confidence in the prospectivity and potential strategic value of this asset,” said chief executive Bernard Aylward.

“Kodal has acquired a significant landholding in this region and our exploration activity is continuing to highlight multiple targets and areas of high-grade lithium mineralisation.”

Aylward said exploration was continuing at Bougouni with the first RC drilling programme underway targeting three of the company’s high-grade pegmatite veins.

“This drilling is expected to be completed in mid-December 2016 and will provide vital information on the depth and continuity of the pegmatite bodies as well as provide reliable samples for analysis of the grade of the mineralisation.

“Kodal will continue to rapidly explore and advance both Bougouni and the newly acquired Diendio, with on-going geological mapping, sampling and additional drilling planned.”