Arkle Resources, an Ireland-based exploration company has secured three lithium exploration licences in Zimbabwe.
The firm announced that the licences cover an area of 163ha, in the Insiza District of the Matabeleland South Province. Following identification of the free ground, Arkle pegged the area and submitted an application for the licences.
Limited mining
In the late 1960s, the ground was subject to limited mining of lepidolite, a lithium-bearing mineral associated with spodumene. The company said that the licences represent a ‘low-cost entry’ into Zimbabwe, one of the globe’s biggest lithium producers.
“The directors have long experience in Zimbabwe and are aware of the extensive history and potential for hard rock lithium in the country. The lithium is contained in spodumene/pegmatites. It is only recently that rising lithium prices and the potential of a massive supply gap to meet battery demand have made the extraction of hard rock lithium viable. We have examined what ground was available and been granted three licences, one of which was a small lepidolite producer a lithium-associated mineral. We continue to examine additional opportunities in battery metals,” Arkle chairman John Teeling said.
Earlier this year, Arkle and its joint venture partner Group Eleven Resources started drilling on the Stonepark group of licences in Limerick, Ireland. Group Eleven Resources has a 76.56% stake in the Stonepark project while Arkle owns the remaining 23.44% holding. The property is located adjacent to Glencore’s Pallas Green deposit, which is said to be one of the world’s largest undeveloped zinc projects.