Montero Confirms Spodumene as the Dominant Lithium Mineral at the Soris Lithium Project IN Namibia
MONTERO CONFIRMS SPODUMENE AS THE DOMINANT LITHIUM MINERAL
AT THE SORIS LITHIUM PROJECT IN NAMIBIA
Toronto, Ontario – December 6, 2017 – Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) has received positive
mineralogical results from surface sample s taken during an initial grab sampl ing program on its Soris Lithium
Project in central Namibia. Results confirm that spodumene is the dominant lithium mineral.
The mineralogical samples were collected from three main workings from the Soris pegmatites. Three hand
specimen samples were submitted for mineralogical analysis , which included XRD and petrography, to SGS
Laboratories in Johannesburg, South Africa. The mineralogical results confirm spodumene (LiAl (SiO3)2) is the main
lithium bearing mineral in t he samples provided. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that lithium is dominantly hosted
in primary spodumene and possibly some minor lepidolite (K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2). Alteration minerals such
as amblygonite (Li,Na)AlPO4(F,OH), cookeite LiAl5Si3O10(OH)8 and eucryptite (LiAlSiO4 ) also occur in minor to trace
amounts. The tin mineral cassiterite (SnO2) is also observed in one of the samples but no tantalum is observed. The
pegmatite samples also show dominant quartz, albite feldspar and m ica as the major minerals followed by
spodumene. The samples may not necessarily be representative of the overall mineralization hosted in the
pegmatites on the property.
According to the report s podumene is the dominant Li-bearing mineral and the coarse nature of the spodumene
should allow for pre-concentration of this mineral by Densimetric Mineral Separation (DMS) prior to possible
further concentration by other gravity separation methods such as spirals and then flotation. The partial alteration
of the spodumene in places may affect efficient recoveries of the mineral.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, “ Montero’s mineralogical testing
has confirmed that spodumene is the main lithium bearing mineral in the peg matites at the Soris Lithium Project.
Spodumene is the m ost desirable target mineral for beneficiation, concentrate production and sale of lithium from
hard rock lithium deposits. Montero has submitted the remainder of spodumene bearing RC chips from pr ior
operators drill program where lithium was not analyzed.”
The ratio of the element rubidium ( Rb as ppm) against lithium ( Li as ppm) has been used as a vector to
differentiate between spodumene and lithium alteration and lithium micas in pegmatites. This me thod has been
used globally as a vector towards high -grade spodumene mineralisation. In Figure 1 below a graphical
representation of this ratio show s the predominance of spodumene from the channel samples geochemical
analysis obtained to date. As the numbe r of samples is limited this data may not be representative of the overall
mineralization.
The pegmatites of the Soris Lithium Project show evidence of being highly differentiated and zoned which is similar
to the Tanco (Canada) and Bikita (Zimbabwe) pegma tites. The Tanco and Bikita pegmatites show considerable
internal variation in mineralogy and chemistry, which is also apparent in the Soris Project Pegmatites. This style of
zoned pegmatite has produced zones of high grades at both Tanco and Bikita.
Figure 1: Rubidium (Rb ppm) versus Lithium (Li ppm) values obtained from channel samples
The Soris Lithium Project is located in central Namibia, north west of the town Uis which is 220km north of Walvis
Bay, Namibia’s largest commercial deep -water port. The project is in the Erongo Region and is connected by dirt
and asphalt road to the port of Walvis Bay.
On October 24, 2017, Montero announced entering into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Frovio Investment, a
Namibian company, to acquire up to an 80% interest in its wholly owned Soris Lithium Project in the De Rust
pegmatite field in Namibia . Montero is currently in a 3 -month legal and technical due diligence period. Under the
terms of the LOI, Montero immediately earns an 80% interest in the Prope rty by committing to spend C$1 million
and completing a feasibility study in 3 years.
The De Rust pegmatite field is hosted in the metasedimentary units of the Damara Mobile Belt of the Pan African
Damara Orogen in Namibia. The zoned pegmatites at the Soris Lithium Project belong to a group of highly
fractionated, tantalite -cassiterite, lithium -rich rare metal pegmatites known as Lithium -Cesium-Tantalum (LCT)
pegmatites. Lithium mineralization occurs in the form of spodumene crystals developed virtually ov er the whole
length of the pegmatite, although the relative abundance of spodumene varies from one location to another , the
spodumene crystals are quite coarse and vary in size with crystals up to 80cm long being observed.
The Soris Lithium Project pegma tites encompass several outcrops, varying in length between 100m up to 470m
over 2.4km and measured in places to be more than 30m wide. The pegmatites were previously mined on a small
scale for tin and tantalum (Diehl, 1992). Recent exploration for tantalu m and tin includ es reverse circulation (RC)
drilling. The pegmatites have not been mined or systematically assayed for lithium.
Qualified Person's Statement
This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., who is a quali fied person for
the purpose of National Instrument 43 -101 and a Consulting Geologist to Montero. A review was also undertaken
by Nico Scholtz, Pr.Sci.Nat., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43 -101 and is a Namibian
based geologist w ith more than 10 years’ experience. He has extensive experience in rare metal pegmatite
exploration in Namibia having worked on many Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite intrusions.
About Montero
Montero is a mineral exploration and development compan y engaged in the identification, acquisition, evaluation
and exploration of mineral properties in Africa. Currently these include Lithium, Tantalum and Tin in Namibia,
Phosphates in South Africa and Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Tanzania. Montero is reviewi ng and evaluating other
Spodumene Zone
Lithium Mica &
Lithium Alteration Zone
opportunities from its operating base in South Africa. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the
symbol MON.
For more information, contact:
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671
www.monteromining.com
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responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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