Askari Metals has reported high-grade mineralisation of tin, tantalum and rubidium from exploration activities conducted on its EPL 8535 licence area, located within the Erongo Region of Namibia.
According to the Australian-listed exploration company, results from surface mapping, rock chip sampling, and the initial phase of reverse circulation (RC) drilling confirmed significant mineralisation, including grades of up to 3.17% tin (SnO₂), 5,226 ppm tantalum (Ta₂O₅), and 0.87% rubidium (Rb₂O).
Initial mapping and sampling at the Kestrel Pegmatite Target also revealed promising grades, with samples returning up to 0.38% SnO₂ and 672 ppm Ta₂O₅.
“The Uis Project is fast emerging as a serious strategic asset for the company owing to its location along strike of the operating Uis Tin Mine,” said Askari Metals Director, Gino D’Anna.
“Historical exploration at the Uis Project has demonstrated significant high grades of mineralisation including tin, tantalum and rubidium, comparable with the results outlined by our neighbour, Andrada Mining Limited.”
EPL 8535 is one of two key exploration licences forming part of Askari’s broader Uis Lithium Project.
Despite the project’s proximity to the well-established Uis Tin Mine, this marks the first time the company has actively evaluated the area’s tin and tantalum potential.
“In an environment where the tin price is currently trading at US$31,275 per tonne, the opportunity for Askari to follow up on previous exploration focused on developing the tin potential of the Uis Project is too hard to ignore,” D’Anna added.
The company reported that a total of 14 samples from EPL 8535 yielded assays above 0.24% SnO₂, with the highest tin grade at 3.17%. In terms of tantalum, 70 samples returned results greater than 100 ppm Ta₂O₅, including two samples exceeding 1,000 ppm. Rubidium mineralisation also proved strong, with surface results reaching up to 0.87% Rb₂O.
“These results demonstrate the significant exploration potential of the project area,” said D’Anna.
“Our initial exploration efforts have identified further high-grade tin and tantalum mineralisation at the surface and in drill holes, extending the zone of known mineralisation on EPL 8535.”
Looking ahead, Askari plans to intensify its exploration campaign on EPL 8535.
The programme will include a project-wide soil geochemical survey across the defined “Corridor of Interest,” targeting buried or blind pegmatites, as well as detailed mapping and sampling of newly identified targets.
The company also revealed plans to mobilise an excavator for a Phase 1 trenching programme, contingent upon the success of initial results.
