Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) purchases six mining leasesASX News,...

Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) purchases six mining leasesASX News, MaterialsASX:CXO MCAP $884.4M Cameron Carr [email protected] hour agoSource: Daily MercuryCore Lithium (CXO) purchases six prospective mineral leases (ML) adjacent to its Finess lithium project in DarwinThe company has executed an option agreement for the MLs which it believes include over 30 historic pegmatite minesOn first pass exploration, the new leases reportedly show evidence of lithium fertility and spodumene mineralisationThe company beleives the new MLs have significant potential to accelerate opportunities to expand and extend lithium production at FinnissShares ended Tuesday’s session at 53 centsCore Lithium (CXO) has purchased six prospective mineral leases (ML) adjacent to its Finiss lithium project in Darwin, Northern Territory.In March 2021, Core entered into an option agreement to acquire the MLs which it believes include over 30 historic pegmatite mines.Subject to appropriate authorisations, Core will pay $5 million to the project vendors along with a contingent consideration of $500,000.The company says a first-pass drill assessment of five of these MLs has been completed. A total of 29 RC holes were drilled for 4530 metres to test ten separate targets. Assays have now been received for 18 of the holes, according to Core.Additionally, large downhole thicknesses of pegmatite were intersected at some prospects. One of the prospects, Centurion, saw “significant” lithium intersections in all drill holes as well as lithium-rich pegmatite which is open along strike in both directions and at depth.Core’s Managing Director, Stephen Biggins, believes the acquisition is an enormous opportunity to add value to the Finnis project.“Bringing these MLs into our portfolio supports our previously stated objective of further increasing the resource and mine life of the Finniss project and cements our dominant landholding in this lithium-rich and low-risk mining jurisdiction of the Northern Territory,” he said.Shares last traded at 53 cents on Tuesday, December 7