A review of the global lithium industry and review of pegmatite hosted lithium deposits in Africa. A look at some of the exploration methods and considerations is also provided. This is by no means a thorough look but provides some useful context to the state of play of the lithium exploration scene in Africa. There are still potentially undiscovered LCT pegmatites within the known pegmatite provinces and some provinces yet to be discovered.

1. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
by Michael Cronwright
Principal Consultant – Critical Metals
The MSA Group
Copyright © The MSA Group
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical,
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Group (Pty) Ltd. This document provides an outline of a presentation and is
incomplete without the accompanying oral commentary and discussion.

2. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HABITAT
African lions live in Africa where it’s very hot and dry.
The African lions live near grasslands in Africa.
They have to camouflage because it helps sneak up on their prey

3. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
INTRODUCTION?
Need to be sure that it is actually a Li2On

4. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

5. This pretty much sums up the lithium explorers over last
couple of years, particularly the last 18-24 months.
Is it a bubble?
They have been one of the few anomalies in a very
depressed exploration market
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
WHAT IS LITHIUM?

6. Discovered in 1817 by Johan A. Arfwedsen and isolated by William Thomas Brande in 1821.
Lithium-6 deuteride the fuel of choice …..for early versions of the H-bomb and still plays and
important role in modern nuclear weapons
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HISTORY
Source: By United States Department of Energy, Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=446935
Castle Bravo
Lithium-7 has applications as a
nuclear coolant and “in 2013, the
US Government Accountability
Office said a shortage of lithium-7
critical to the operation of 65 out of
100 American nuclear reactors
“places their ability to continue to
provide electricity at some risk” –
www.en.wikipedia.org

7. 2001 - 2025
LITHIUM APPLICATIONS AND DEMAND
Drive for clean technology
initiatives and off-grid power
storage (government and
private sectors), has created an
anticipated demand for Li-ion
batteries for energy storage
and electric vehicles
2015 – 39% battery use
2025e - ~70% battery use
Current estimates closer to
750kt by 2025 (EY, 2017)

8. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
WHY THE Li-Ion BATTERY
• Falling cost per kWh and increasing efficiency
• $599/kWh in 2013 and $273/kWh in 2016
• Long life, long shelf life and fast charging
• High energy density
• Variety of technologies available depending
on application and wide operating range
Source: www.visualcapitalist.com and Bloomberg NEF
Source: Visual Capitalist

9. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM INPUTS
Source: www.slideshare.net/JerryBeets/lithium-in-nevadappt-7530549775305497

10. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM BATTERY PENETRATION
Share of rechargeable
battery demand by type
• This on an increase in Lithium demand from 39% (64 kt LCE) in 2015 to 70% (374 kt – 525 kt LCE)
in 2025.
Rechargeable battery
demand by application

11. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM BATTERY PENETRATION
• By 2020 there will be
120 different EV models
on the market
• Currently EV’s make up 1% of
the of global vehicle sales.
• Production of EV’s and HEVs
increase from 1m in 2017 to
10-14m in 2025 (12X increase
in battery power needed to
meet this demand)
Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-25/electric-car-boom-seen-triggering-peak-oil-demand-in-2030s

12. Cu
Tin
Gold
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRICING

13. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

14. • EY lists New world commodities
(Co, Graphite, Li, Ni) as the
number 4 risk in the “Top 10
business risks facing mining and
metals 2017-2018”
• Also applies to Cu, Mn & Al
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
NOT ONLY A Li STORY?

15. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
NOT ONLY A Li STORY?
Source: www.visualcapitalist.com

16. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
NOT ONLY A Li STORY?
Ni
Ni
Ni

17. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
EFFECTS ON METAL MARKETS

18. • No, market is just small and
• Current lithium market vs. global reserves/reserves compared to other metal markets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SO IT MUST BE RARE?

19. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

20. Kesler et al., 2012
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Averagegrade(%Li)
Lithium content (million tonnes)
Brines
Hectorite deposits
Jadar deposit
Pegmatite deposits
1) Lithium brines/ Salars – current production
2) Lithium pegmatites (LCT family) – current production
3) Lithium clay (hectorite) and Jadarite deposits
4) Other – Oil field brines
• Current supply is around 201kt LCE split 50:50
between brines and hard rock
• Expected to increase to 57% from hard rock in 2020
• By 2025 to go back to 50:50 once South American
brine projects come online
Global Resources
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM SOURCES

21. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM SOURCES

22. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM PRODUCTION
Market dominated by a
few producers
1. Albermarle (39%)
2. SQM (19%)
3. Tianqi (15%)
4. FMC (8%)
5. Other (19%)

23. Source: http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/thinkcorner/CEE_Research_Note-
Battery_Materials_Value_Chain-Apr16.pdf
2014 2025
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM USE BY SOURCES

24. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

25. Class Subclass Type Subtype Family
Abyssal
HREE NYF
LREE
U NYF
B Be LCT
Muscovite
Muscovite-rare element
REE NYF
Li LCT
Rare element
REE
allanite-monazite
euxenite
gadolinite
NYF
Li
beryl
beryl-columbite
beryl-columbite-phosphate
LCTcomplex
spodumene
petalite
lepidolite
elbaite
amblygonite
albite
albite-spodumene
Miarolitic
REE
topaz-beryl
gadolinite-fergusonite
NYF
Li
beryl-topaz
spodumene
petalite
lepidolite
LCT
Source: London, 2008, 2014 and Cerny 1991
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
PEGMATITE CLASSIFICATION

26. Source: London, 2008, 2014 and Cerny 1991
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
PEGMATITE CLASSIFICATION

27. Source: USGS Open File Report 2013-1008
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
INTERNAL ZONATION COMPLEX PEGMATITES

28. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM MINERALS
• Lithium bearing pegmatite belong to the Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) Family of Rare-element
pegmatites
• Main lithium minerals are spodumene, petalite and lepidolite

29. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM MINERALS
spodumene

30. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM MINERALS
petalite

31. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
LITHIUM MINERALS
lepidolite
FOV = 10 cmHolmquistite (Li-amphibole)

32. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

33. • Numerous Pegmatite Provinces distributed through the continent and all contain LCT pegmatites
– Historically mined for coltan and tin, focussed on softer weathered (Li depleted) material
(e.g. the DRC and Mozambique);
• Fresh Li-bearing material remains and
• Tailings
– Minor historical lithium production (petalite and spodumene) mainly for local ceramic markets
(Namibia and South Africa)
– Bikita (Zimbabwe) is the only active lithium producer
• Currently a lot of exploration and interest in Africa (Namibia, RSA, Zimbabwe, Mali, DRC,
Mozambique)
• Brines and clays?
– Currently LCME exploring Li-brine potential on 6 licences in Botswana
– Bitterwasser Project, Namibia – GBEnergy did not pursue further
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
AFRICA’S LITHIUM POTENTIAL

34. Map of African rare-element pegmatite and rare-
metal granite provinces (different symbols).
Colours indicate age provinces. The following
numbered provinces are dealt with in the 1.1 Man
Shield, 1.2 Congo Craton, 1.3 Zimbabwe Craton,
1.4 Kaapvaal Craton, 2.1 Birimian Province, 2.2
Kibalian in north-eastern DRC, 3.1 Kibara Belt,
3.2 Kamativi Schist Belt, 3.3 Orange River Belt,
4.1 Eastern Desert, 4.2 Adola Belt, 4.3 Alto
Ligonha Province, 4.4 Damara Belt, 4.5 Older
Granites (Nigeria), 4.6 Madagascar, 5.1 Younger
Granites (Nigeria). (source: Melcher et al., 2013)
AND RARE-METAL GRANITE PROVINCES
RARE-ELEMENT PEGMATITE

35. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
EXPLORATION FOR LCT PEGMATITES

36. Manono (limited)
Kamativi
Uis
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
DON’T FORGET THE OLD MINE TAILINGS

37. CURRENTLY ACTIVELY MINING/EXPLORATING
GLOBAL HARD ROCK PROJECTS

38. 1. Applications and market drivers
2. Implications for other commodities
3. Lithium sources and producers
4. Pegmatite classification, mineralogy and zonation
5. Lithium in Africa with a focus on pegmatites
6. Exploration tools with examples from Africa
a. Geological Mapping and Geophysical Methods (Radiometric and Mag)
b. Indicator Minerals and Mineral Chemistry (of Pegmatites and Heavy Mineral
Conc.)
c. Soil Geochemistry
1. Li-indices that use pathfinder elements i.e. Sn, Ta, Nb, Cs, Rb, Be, Tl, Ga
2. pXRF also very useful tool
d. Petrography and XRD
e. Trenching and Drill Testing Targets
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OUTLINE

39. • Always need to consider RPEEE and Clause 49 (JORC) when looking at industrial applications
– Need to understand mineral chemistry and the ability to produce a suitable concentrate
specific to the application e.g. high iron concentrate not suitable for glass and ceramic
applications; high-F (as in a lepidolite deposit) can be problematic (corrosive) when producing
a lithium carbonate
• Distribution of the lithium mineral phases and can a mineral concentrate be produced and how
– Often get more than one Li mineral phase present. Petalite and spodumene e.g. Prospect
Resources, Zimbabwe or petalite and lepidolite.
– Need to also consider mineral textures and liberation thereof
• Need to consider other potential credits from tantalite (Ta), cassiterite (Sn), pollucite (Cs), K-
feldspar (ceramics and Rb), Beryl (Be) and whether they can be economically recovered.
• Need to be clear on what is being reported, i.e. Li, Li2O or LCE (and metal equivalents - rare) and
what is the mineralogy. Most lithium deposits are reported as LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent)
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
ALWAYS NEED TO CONSIDER

40. rubicon
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
COMPLEX INTERNAL ZONATION - RUBICON

41. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SURFACE EXPRESSION - RUBICON

42. arcadia
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SIMPLE INTERNAL ZONATION - ARCADIA

43. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SIMPLE INTERNAL ZONATION - ARCADIA

44. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SIMPLE INTERNAL ZONATION - ARCADIA
Host basalt
Host basalt
1
2
2a
2
3
4
5
Arcadia - Zimbabwe
1 – Alteration of host rock
along contact with Main
Pegmatite
2 – Aplite Zone (developed in
lower half and interspersed
within Intermediate Zone
2a – “contact” between Aplite
Zone and Intermediate Zone
3 – Grey petalite crystal
4 – Pink petalite crystal
5 – Poorly developed
Border/Wall Zone

45. manono
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SIMPLE INTERNAL ZONATION - MANONO

46. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SIMPLE INTERNAL ZONATION - MANONO

47. uis
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SURFACE EXPRESSION - UIS

48. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HOST ROCKS - MOZAMBIQUE

49. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HOST ROCKS - MOZAMBIQUE

50. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HOST ROCKS – MOZAMBIQUE (ZOOM)

51. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
HOST ROCKS – OTHER EXAMPLES
Kenticha - Ethiopia Mohanga - Tanzania
Source: http://www.ltresources.com.au/
Source: Kuster et al., 2009

52. NOUMAS I EXTENSION
SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY
• Used a lithium index to identify subcropping extensions to the main Noumas I pegmatite in the flat
valley to the NW
http://australianvanadium.com.au/

53. NOUMAS I EXTENSION
SOIL GEOCHEMISTRY
http://australianvanadium.com.au/

54. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
GEOCHEMICAL METHODS
http://australianvanadium.com.au/

55. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
GEOCHEMICAL METHODS

56. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
GEOCHEMICAL METHODS

57. Lithium mineralogy and textures are
determined by:
• P-T-t evolution of the pegmatite
– Primary petalite+SQI (spodumene-
quartz intergrowth) e.g. Bikita
vs
– Spodumene only e.g. Manono
Mineralogy and mineral textures have
implications for beneficiation and metallurgical
processes
• Important to get a handle on this early on
in the exploration programme
Metallurgical testwork important from early on
in project
• Important to understand potential
products (grade, quality and yields) that
can be produced and by-products
Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
PETROGRAPHY, XRD and METALLURGICAL TESTWORK

58. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SPODUMENE-QUARTZ INTERGROWTHS
SQI from Highbury Pegmatite
Thomas et al., 1994
FOV = 4mm

59. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
SPODUMENE-QUARTZ INTERGROWTHS
FOV = 4mm

60. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
ALTERED PETALITE
FOV = 4mm

61. 31 OCTOBER 2017
COMPANY NEWS
FOV = 4mm
Decrepitated Petalite Rich Ore
Prior To Milling
Battery Grade Lithium
Carbonate

62. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
OTHER NEWS
FOV = 4mm

63. KEY CONSIDERATIONS
• Understand geology (age, host rocks, chemistry of LCT pegmatite systems,
mineralogy)
– Effects of weathering
– Pegmatite zoned/poorly zoned
– Degree of fractionation and mineralogy
– Morphology
• Assay methods and QAQC protocols
• Metallurgical testwork (appropriate with level of exploration) – lithium treated as
an industrial commodity and reporting codes (JORC/NI 43-101) have specific
requirements around this.
– Petrographic investigation
– XRD
– Deportment tests - potential product(s), product quality and yields
• Geological modelling and estimation techniques
– inputs from above are also critical

64. Li2On HUNTING IN AFRICA
CONCLUSIONS
FOV = 4mm
• The interest in lithium is largely based on anticipated lithium demand for battery to
supply the EV and mobile electronics market.
• There seen strong growth over the last 15 years and anticipated to accelerate in
the next 10 yrs.
• Africa is well endowed with hardrock LCT pegmatite deposits and there is currently a
lot of activity in areas where historical tin, coltan and lithium minerals where
previously mined
• A lot of the obvious projects are currently being explored and developed but there
are still opportunities to be had through careful systematic exploration. But you may
find a few asses in Li2On’s skin along the way.

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QUESTIONS