Owner AVZ Minerals said the initial results support the potential for high value ore, with the average concentration of lithium oxide high and the significant presence of tin confirming the potential for lower cost production.
“These results are again confirmation that Manono is a world class project, potentially containing a battery grade product with low levels of detrimental elements such as fluorine, iron and phosphorous, that is expected to be highly sought after for battery production,” AVZ said.
“These initial mineral characterisation results are confined to the Roche Dure pegmatite where a recently drill defined 1800 metres of strike length will be pattern drilled in the near future.”
The latest news from the DRC project follows AVZ signing a memorandum of understanding earlier this month with Shanghai Greatpower Industry for potential corporate investment and offtake opportunities from the Manono.
AVZ raised A$15 million in August by issuing new shares at 7c each.
Shares in the Klaus Eckhof-led AVZ were up 12% to 18.5c in afternoon trade, capitalising the junior at $326 million.