Pan Asia Metals intersects wide pegmatite dyke swarms in all six diamond holes at Bang I Tum in Thailand

Pan Asia Metals Ltd (ASX:PAM) has intersected pegmatite dyke swarms over substantial widths in all six diamond drill holes completed at Bang I Tum (BIT) prospect within the wider Reung Kiet Lithium Project (RKLP) in southern Thailand. The drilling program totalled 963 metres with the pegmatite containing quartz, feldspar and potentially lithium-bearing muscovite and local lepidolite extending to plus 100 metres below surface. Spot hand-held XRF analysis of drill core by the company identified the presence of elevated tin and niobium along with elevated lithium indicator elements, such as rubidium and manganese. "Pleased with results" Managing director Paul Lock said: “We are very pleased with the drilling results. “The pegmatite dyke swarms are relatively wide and extend to significant depths beneath the old pit and along strike to the south. “Whilst we await results from the lab we are buoyed by the hhXRF results and visual indications which support the presence of lepidolite and muscovite and therefore the potential for lithium to be hosted in both. “The presence of elevated tin and niobium, the latter as a proxy for tantalum, is also very encouraging.” Lithium potential Reung Kiet, which is one of the company’s key Thai projects, is a hard rock project with demonstrated potential for lithium hosted in lepidolite and mica rich pegmatites chiefly composed of quartz, albite, muscovite and lepidolite, with minor cassiterite and tantalite as well as other accessory minerals, including some rare earths. Recent drilling at Bang I Tum was designed to test beneath the old open pit and also along strike to the southwest in the vicinity of Lepidolite Hill. Core is being cut and sampled for dispatch to the laboratory for analysis with the drill rig now mobilised to the Reung Kiet prospect. Spot handheld analysis The company conducted spot handheld X-Ray fluorescence (hhXRF) analysis at regular spacing along the drill core, especially in the sections of pegmatite with sample points typically at 0.3-0.5 metres. This method is used by PAM geologists to take readings on drill core to evaluate the presence or otherwise of targeted mineralisation and associated pathfinder elements and this assists with onsite decision making and in the selection of intervals to sample and dispatch for laboratory analysis. Many of the pegmatites returned anomalous to locally highly elevated spot hhXRF values for tin, rubidium, manganese and niobium. The company is now cutting and sampling the drill core for dispatch to the laboratory for analysis. Looking ahead Pan Asia Metals has further drill holes planned at BIT, with additional drilling contingent on positive results from holes BTDD001-006. The company has relocated the drill rig to the nearby Reung Kiet lithium prospect to conduct additional drilling that will target lepidolite rich pegmatites identified in previous trenching and mapping programs conducted by PAM. With continued success the company may elect to report a drill supported exploration target and then proceed to defining a mineral resource.