TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:MON) has received positive lithium assay results from reverse circulation (RC) chips from a prior operators RC drill program at the Soris Lithium project. The prior operators RC drill program only assayed for the tantalum, tin and niobium content of the pegmatite and did not assay for lithium. Montero’s initial sampling program of RC chips indicates that the previously untested lithium bearing spodumene mineralization sampled at the surface also occurs at depth in the pegmatites on the property.
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In 2015 a prior explorer completed a total of 31 RC drill holes testing only for tantalum and tin in the Main and Southern pegmatite occurrences on the property (see map below). A total of 1,536 samples were taken from these holes which were sampled every metre where pegmatite was intersected. 1,095 of these samples have been matched to 26 of the historical RC holes. The pulps from the 1 metre samples were originally submitted for chemical analysis for tantalum and tin at Genalysis in Perth, Australia. Montero then subsequently requested analyses for Lithium, Cesium and Rubidium from sample pulps at the same laboratory.
Montero has just received RC drill sampling assays for lithium on two drill holes, namely RCDD04 drilled vertically and RCDD022 drilled at an inclination of -60 degrees by a prior operator in the Main zone of mineralized pegmatite. The balance of the Lithium assay results are due to be reported. The results indicate that lithium bearing spodumene mineralization sampled at the surface extends to depth. Initial results were returned as follows:
| RC | From | To | Width in | Lithium | Tantalum | Tin | Cesium | Rubidium |
| Drill Hole | (m) | (m) | Metres | Li2O a (%) | Ta2O5 b (ppm) | SnO2 c (ppm) | Cs2O d (ppm) | Rb2O e (ppm) |
| RCDD022 | 14 | 47 | 33 | 1.07 | 139 | 576 | 61 | 1670 |
| RCDD04 | 57 | 93 | 36 | 0.94 | 131 | 823 | 121 | 1906 |
| a. Li2O obtained by conversion factor of 2.153 | ||||||||
| b. Ta2O5 obtained by conversion factor of 1.2211 | ||||||||
| c. SnO2 obtained by conversion factor of 1.2696 d. Cs2O obtained by conversion factor of 1.06 e. Rb2O obtained by conversion factor of 1.094 Sample intervals are indicative of apparent pegmatite widths only. | ||||||||
Montero has an agreement to acquire an 80% interest in the Property by committed to spending C$1 million and completing a feasibility study within 3 years of transfer of the mining rights. Montero is awaiting positive results from further testing to exercise the option.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, “Montero has identified significant widths of lithium bearing spodumene mineralization at surface and at depth where prior operators only assayed for tantalum and tin. Recent sampling of RC chips from the prior operator returned 33 metres of 1.07% lithium oxide in spodumene pegmatite thereby providing a third dimension which Montero will use to establish a resource. Montero has now submitted all of the intercepts from RC drill holes for analyses. Further results are expected shortly.”
The Soris Lithium Project is 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.
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. The Soris pegmatites were previously mined on a small scale for tin and tantalum (Diehl, 1992). The pegmatite has not been mined or systematically sampled or assayed for lithium.
Montero’s first channel sampling program indicate Lithium, tantalum and tin mineralization over a 2.4 km strike length of exposed pegmatite. Channel MC1 returned 14m at an average grade of 1.93 % Li2O where the best individual sample assayed 3.66% Li2O. Subsequent sampling of a portion of RC drill chips from a prior operator indicates lithium bearing spodumene extends to depth and occurs over significant widths. Montero is beginning to compile all of the data recently acquired to facilitate designing a drill program to establish a resource.
Qualified Person's Statement
This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., who is a qualified 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 has extensive experience in rare metal pegmatite exploration and Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.
About Montero
Montero is a mineral exploration and development company 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 reviewing and evaluating other 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: ir@monteromining.com
Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671
www.monteromining.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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