Auroch Minerals investigates lithium potential at Nepean Nickel Project

Auroch Minerals Ltd (ASX:AOU) (FRA:T59) has begun an investigation into the potential for lithium mineralisation at the high-grade Nepean Nickel Project in Western Australia. The historic mine workings and drill-hole intersections at the project have confirmed that some of the pegmatites are more than 100 metres thick and have lengths that exceed 1,000 metres, increasing their potential to contain highly fractionated lithium-enriched parts. Additionally, the Nepean pegmatites are within the same greenstone belt and only 5 kilometres to the south of the well-known lithium-bearing Londonderry Pegmatite, which the company believes could indicate they may have originated from the same source. “Potential for economic mineralisation” The company has contracted expert lithium geologist Peter Spitalny to undertake the investigation into the lithium potential of the Nepean pegmatites. Auroch managing director Aidan Platel said: “We have contracted the services of Peter Spitalny to undertake an investigation into what we believe is a significant potential for economic lithium mineralisation within the pegmatites at Nepean. “Peter is well-known throughout Western Australia and even globally for his expertise in the exploration and economic evaluation of Lithium – Caesium – Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, and we look forward to what his initial investigation will tell us. “Using Peter to evaluate the lithium potential means that our in-house geological team remains completely focused on the nickel sulphide exploration at Nepean, and in particular the current RC drill program at Nepean which is now over two-thirds completed. "We look forward to the results of both exploration programs in the near future, and will keep the market updated as results are received,” he added. Shares have been as much as 8 per cent higher to 27 cents and since the market close on December 18 have climbed from 12.5 cents.