United Lithium (CSE:ULTH) has expanded its holdings at the Kietyönmäki Project in Finland, acquiring an additional 20,000 hectares of land. The new claim reservation is situated around 6 kilometres southeast of the original Kietyönmäki site and encompasses an area known for its lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite with historical sampling results of 2% Li2O. This newly acquired territory is viewed as having high potential for further lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite discoveries. Earlier strong drill results in the initial 900-hectare plot encouraged the company to increase its land holdings in the region.

Scott Eldridge, United’s President and CEO commented in a press release: “We are pleased to substantially increase our exploration ground in Finland by adding an additional 20,000 hectares creating a district scale project. Historical reports document lithium showings within the new claim boundaries. Finland has demonstrated that it hosts lithium deposits that can be developed. We are encouraged by the success of Keliber and the backing they have received from Sibanye-Stillwater with a total investment of 440 million Euros to obtain 80% ownership in their project. This valuation shows the importance of European lithium projects, and our shareholders are well positioned in the Nordics, with district-scale opportunities in both Finland and Sweden.”

In terms of the drill program, the company plans to release the results from its 2022-2023 program soon. This program included 13 diamond drill holes totalling 1,449.60 meters and 100 shallow exploration percussion drill holes totalling 296.40 meters. The diamond drilling focused on both infill and expansion within the main Kietyönmäki area, while the percussion drilling aimed to discover resources outside that core area.

The expansion brings the project’s total land package to approximately 21,070 hectares, a substantial increase from the original 900 hectares. The newly acquired claim covers around 20,170 hectares, or roughly 200 square kilometres, and is situated 6.1 kilometres southeast of the main exploration permit area of Kietyönmäki. The region was chosen for its known lithium and tungsten-bearing pegmatite dykes, and geological structures that extend from the main Kietyönmäki area. Notably, the area is relatively underexplored but easily accessible and contains known S-type granites. Initial field prospecting and sampling on these new grounds are in the plans, with the objective of identifying drill targets.

United Lithium initially acquired the Kietyönmäki Project in early 2022 through a transaction that saw the company purchase 83.6% of Litiumlöydös Oy, the private entity holding a 100% interest in the project licenses. Following that acquisition, United Lithium expanded the project by 535 hectares in September 2022.

The geological setting of Kietyönmäki includes primarily amphibolites and mica gneisses, among other rock types, and is part of the Häme belt. The area was first discovered in the mid-1980s by the Finnish Geological Survey, which identified a pegmatite swarm at the site. Previous drilling activities have yielded lithium oxide (Li2O) concentrations of up to 1.66% in some drill holes.

The project’s history of exploration began with the Finnish Geological Survey in the 1980s, focusing on what is known as the Main Dyke, the largest lithium-bearing pegmatite body in the area. More recent work was done by the previous operator Avalon in 2016, which involved drilling that further confirmed the resource potential of the Main Dyke.

United Lithium’s forthcoming release of the 2022-2023 drill program results is keenly awaited, as it could provide further insights into the resource potential of both the original and newly acquired land.

Highlights from the property are as follows:

• New claim reservation made over the area with a known LCT-pegmatite that is highly prospective for further discoveries, increasing the total size of the project to more than 21,000 ha;
• 13 diamond drill holes completed with assay results pending, anticipated to be released shortly;
• Previous operators’ historical diamond drilling results include:
  • 1.53% Li₂O over 23 m drilled by the Finnish Geological Survey (“GTK”)
  • 1.10% Li₂O over 42 m by previous operator Avalon Minerals Ltd. (“Avalon”);
• Commencement of district scale expanded exploration activity; and
• Finland has proven to be a top jurisdiction to explore for and develop hard-rock lithium projects, with noted success of the Keliber Lithium Project now in the construction phase.