Arcadia Minerals has decided to review the methodology used to test the Bitterwasser Lithium Clay project samples.
The 50% Arcadia Minerals-owned Brines Mining Exploration has the rights to the Bitterwasser Project in the Hardap Region, approximately 190 km south-southeast of Windhoek.
The Bitterwasser Project comprises four exclusive exploration licenses, EPLs 7614, 8101, 8102, and 8103.
The results from 27 samples from drill holes within the upper and lower sand units returned inconsistent and varying results from two accredited laboratories.
There was a more than 200% variance in lithium content between the two laboratories’ results.
The laboratories used two analytical methods: inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Arcadia Minerals says ICP assay methods utilised by laboratories give rise to spectral and physical interferences in some brine samples, which is known to impact the accuracy of measurements.
Arcadia Minerals CEO Philip le Roux said the significant variance in the assay results received is a challenge in giving confidence in the results.
Le Roux said that, as a result, they will have to refine the analytical and sampling processes to ensure the assay methodology is appropriate for the Bitterwasser Brines and they return accurate and reliable results.
