Askari Metals Uncovers High-Grade Tin and Tantalum Discovery

Askari Metals Uncovers Extensive High-Grade Tin and Tantalum at Uis Project

Askari Metals (ASX: AS2) has revealed significant tin and tantalum mineralisation across its Uis Project in Namibia, with exploration data highlighting exceptional grades that position the company for potential polymetallic development in a strategic mining district.

Historic Database Review Reveals Premium Grades in Namibian Tenements

Askari Metals has completed a review of historical exploration data at its Uis Project in Namibia, uncovering extensive high-grade tin and tantalum mineralisation. The review focused on EPL 8535, the company's southernmost tenement located approximately 14km from the operating Uis Tin Mine owned by Andrada Mining Limited.

Historical exploration has revealed exceptionally high grades across the property, including:

• Tin oxide (SnO₂) values up to 3.17%
• Tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅) reaching 5,226 ppm
• Rubidium oxide (Rb₂O) peaking at 0.87%

The database includes 492 rock chip samples, with numerous samples showing economically significant mineralisation, particularly along the 3.0 km long Kestrel Pegmatite target which reaches widths of up to 30 meters.

This high-grade tin and tantalum discovery at Askari Metals demonstrates the significant potential of the Uis Project as a polymetallic asset. The grades identified are particularly noteworthy when compared to typical economic concentrations of these minerals in similar geological settings.

Kestrel Pegmatite Emerges as High-Priority Target

Recent mapping and rock chip sampling at the Kestrel Pegmatite has demonstrated high-grade mineralisation with values up to:

• 0.38% SnO₂
• 672 ppm Ta₂O₅

This extensive pegmatite structure represents an immediate target for further exploration, with prior drilling results never properly followed up despite showing promising intersections including:

• 1m @ 0.13% SnO₂
• 1m @ 173 ppm Ta₂O₅ and 0.31% SnO₂
• 1m @ 212 ppm Ta₂O₅
• 1m @ 227 ppm Ta₂O₅ and 0.25% SnO₂

The high-grade tin and tantalum discovery at Askari Metals gains additional significance due to the consistent mineralisation identified across multiple sampling methods and locations. The Kestrel Pegmatite's considerable strike length of approximately 3.0 km and width of up to 30m suggests a substantial mineralised system with potential for economic extraction.

Understanding Tin and Tantalum as Critical Minerals

Tin and tantalum are classified as critical minerals essential for modern technology. Tin is primarily used in solders for electronics, while tantalum is crucial for capacitors in electronic devices, aerospace components, and medical implants.

The current tin price of approximately US$31,275 per ton makes exploration discoveries particularly valuable. Tantalum's growing importance in electronics and renewable energy applications adds further potential value to the project.

Askari's Uis Project contains significant rubidium mineralisation as well, which is increasingly important for specialised glass applications and quantum computing technology. Investors interested in this sector might also consider investing in mining stocks to gain broader exposure to the critical minerals market.

Tin – Essential for Electronics and Technology

Tin is primarily used in soldering applications, which account for approximately 50% of global consumption. Its importance in electronics manufacturing stems from its ability to create reliable connections between components on circuit boards. Other significant uses include:

• Tin plating for corrosion resistance
• Tin chemicals for various industrial applications
• Pewter and other alloys for consumer products

Global tin supply faces constraints, with declining grades at existing mines and limited new discoveries, making the high-grade tin and tantalum discovery at Askari Metals potentially significant for market supply.

Tantalum – Critical for High-Performance Electronics

Tantalum is valued for its exceptional properties:

• Extremely high melting point (3,017°C)
• Excellent corrosion resistance
• High capacitance, ideal for miniaturised electronics

The primary application for tantalum is in the production of capacitors for electronic devices, where it enables the miniaturisation of components while maintaining high performance. Additional applications include:

• Superalloys for aerospace and gas turbines
• Surgical implants due to biocompatibility
• High-temperature furnace parts

The tantalum market has historically experienced supply constraints and price volatility, particularly due to ethical sourcing concerns in certain producing regions. This increases the value of deposits in stable jurisdictions like Namibia. Furthermore, companies involved in digital transformation in mining are finding new ways to optimise exploration and production of these critical minerals.

Strategic Location and Future Exploration Plans

The Uis Project's location along strike from the operating Uis Tin Mine operated by Andrada Mining provides significant strategic value. This proximity to existing infrastructure and a proven mineralised district enhances development potential.

Askari has outlined a comprehensive exploration programme focusing on:

1. Project-wide soil geochemical sampling across the "Corridor of Interest" to identify new anomalous areas and potential blind pegmatites
2. Detailed mapping and rock chip sampling of newly identified targets on EPL 8535
3. Subject to positive results, mobilising an excavator for a Phase 1 trenching programme focusing on the Kestrel pegmatite

Director Gino D'Anna emphasised the project's significant potential, stating: "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. 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."

The high-grade tin and tantalum discovery at Askari Metals benefits substantially from the project's strategic location. The proximity to an operating mine with similar geological characteristics provides valuable operational insights and confirms the district's economic viability for these mineral types. Investors considering this opportunity should also understand the strategic role of cash in investment portfolios when allocating capital to exploration-stage companies.

Investment Thesis: A Polymetallic Opportunity

Askari Metals presents a compelling investment opportunity based on several key factors:

1. Multiple commodity exposure – The project offers significant tin, tantalum, lithium, and rubidium potential, providing diversification across several in-demand technology metals

2. Strategic location – Proximity to existing operations and infrastructure in an established mining district reduces development risks

3. High-grade results – Rock chip and historical drilling assays demonstrate potential for economic mineralisation, with many samples exceeding grades at the nearby operating mine

4. Underexplored asset – Despite promising historical results, the area has never been systematically explored with modern techniques and a focus on multiple commodities

For thorough evaluation of this opportunity, investors should also review mining feasibility studies that analyse similar projects and their economic viability.

Why Investors Should Track Askari Metals

Askari Metals has positioned itself to capitalise on the growing demand for critical minerals by advancing exploration at the Uis Project. The company's strategic approach to developing this polymetallic asset offers significant upside potential for several reasons:

1. The historical exploration data provides a solid foundation for targeted follow-up work
2. The company has identified multiple high-priority targets for immediate investigation
3. Rising prices for tin and growing demand for tantalum enhance project economics
4. The project's proximity to existing operations provides potential development advantages

For investors seeking exposure to critical minerals essential for technology applications and energy transition, Askari Metals offers a compelling exploration story with significant near-term catalysts as the company advances its exploration programme across this promising Namibian project. In addition, those considering mining investments should familiarise themselves with understanding the JORC code to better evaluate resource announcements and their significance.

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