[SMM Analysis] Lion Rock Resources Discovers High-Grade Lithium Ore at Volney Project in South Dakota

Published: May 14, 2025 15:09

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Lion Rock Resources recently announced that in the surface sampling program conducted at its Volney project in South Dakota, the assay results of lithium ore indicated that the lithium content in the ore pile samples reached up to 5.3% Li₂O, while the lithium content in the pegmatite outcrop samples reached 3.7% lithium oxide (Li₂O). These discoveries have extended the lithium-mineralized pegmatite trend to an area of 1,000 meters by 500 meters. The Volney project, located in the Black Hills mining district, 20 kilometers southwest of Spearfish, is a previously producing polymetallic project renowned for its high-grade gold, lithium, and tin ores.

Lion Rock Resources recently announced that in the surface sampling program conducted at its Volney project in South Dakota, lithium ore assay results revealed lithium contents of up to 5.3% Li₂O in ore pile samples and 3.7% lithium oxide (Li₂O) in pegmatite outcrop samples. These discoveries have extended the lithium-mineralized pegmatite trend to a 1000m × 500m area. The Volney project, located in the Black Hills mining district, 20 kilometers southwest of Spearfish, is a past-producing polymetallic project renowned for its high-grade gold, lithium, and tin deposits.

High-grade lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in outcrops – notable expansion potential: A total of 26 outcrop samples were collected, with lithium oxide (Li₂O) contents exceeding 1.0%, confirming the presence of multiple high-grade lithium-mineralized pegmatites within a 1000m × 500m area, with potential for expansion in all directions. Importantly, a newly collected outcrop sample, located 600 meters from the historically significant Wallini pegmatite, contained a lithium oxide (Li₂O) content as high as 3.7%, highlighting the vast potential for discovering high-grade lithium mineralization beyond known historical areas and emphasizing the opportunity for significant expansion of the mineralized zone.
Verification of historical high-grade ore: A total of 43 ore pile and beneficiation plant waste rock samples had lithium oxide (Li₂O) contents exceeding 1.0%, with a maximum of 5.3%. In the historically significant Wallini pit area, the average grade of 26 ore pile samples was 3.8% lithium oxide (Li₂O), confirming the high-grade lithium content reported in historical bulk sampling.
High-grade polymetallic potential, including high-grade gold and tin: In addition to lithium, a total of 13 ore pile and beneficiation plant waste rock samples had tin (Sn) contents exceeding 1.0%, indicating significant potential for associated mineral recovery in the area. The mine also contains high-grade gold mineralization, with historical grades of up to 8.0 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over orebody thicknesses of 43.0 meters, and 18.2 g/t gold over orebody thicknesses of 18.3 meters.
Private land – rapid advancement of permitting: The Volney project is situated on 142 hectares of private land, with surface and mineral rights, enabling the rapid implementation of drilling programs and expediting the permitting process from exploration to production stages.

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