Two Shields Investments PLC Update on West African Lithium Portfolio (0771H)

TIDMTSI

RNS Number : 0771H

Two Shields Investments PLC

12 November 2018

Two Shields Investments Plc / EPIC: TSI / Market: AIM

12 November 2018

Two Shields Investments Plc ("Two Shields" or the "Company")

Update on West African Lithium Portfolio

Two Shields Investments plc, the AIM-quoted investing company, is pleased to announce an update on its lithium interests in South-Western Niger, through its 40% interest in Xantus Inc ('Xantus'). This includes assay results from the recent Auger Geochemical program which confirm the prospectivity of the permit area for lithium mineralisation.

-- 3,000m auger drilling and geological logging campaign targeting historically mapped lithium occurrences completed July 2018

-- 860 auger drill holes completed to an average depth of 3.5m from surface in addition to 15 rock chip samples collected from pegmatite outcrops

-- Sahara Natural Resources ("Sahara") made the following direct observations from the interpretation and analysis of the Auger Geochemical program:

o Excellent auger geochemical anomalies were returned for the Dibilo Target, as shown in the map below, the grid of 200m x 100m has identified around 6 separate anomalies around 100m to 200m in width and 500m to 3km in length. These anomalies potentially represent hidden pegmatite swarms as were seen in outcrop in surface.

o The auger geochemical sampling results specifically at Dibilo target have identified positive geochemical anomalies that are prospective for Lithium bearing pegmatites. These anomalies are over broad zones that extend over approximately 2km in length

-- Lithium Oxide (Li(2) O) values ranged between 2.5ppm and a maximum value of 597ppm - Sahara noted that lithium pegmatites are often leached at surface and return significantly lower grades than the pegmatite unit 20 meters below surface.

-- Sahara has determined the Xantus Niger permit area to be prospective for lithium-bearing pegmatites

-- Upcoming work programme to be determined in consideration of assay results including a potential drill programme targeting mineralisation at a greater depth

-- Xantus' Niger permit area is located within a prospective region for lithium mineralisation based on historical evidence that includes the mapped occurrence of lithium bearing pegmatites which recorded assays >2% Li(2) O

-- Underlying geology of the permit area are leucogranites and pegmatite veins; both largely regarded as likely hosts for lithium mineralisation

To view the full version of this announcement, complete with illustrative maps, please use the following link:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/0771H_1-2018-11-12.pdf

Charlie Wood, Chairman, said, "The Auger Geochemical program conducted by Xantus across the Niger permit area has successfully demonstrated a significantly greater number of lithium anomalies than previously recorded, and provided a better understanding of the distribution of mineralisation across the permit area. The Company has been informed that Xantus are considering the next stage in the development of the Niger permit area, and I look forward to updating shareholders further once this has been determined.

"Two Shields' portfolio of investments is looking stronger than ever before. Performance at our investee companies, including international cyber-security company Brandshield and cutting-edge social e-commerce platform WeShop, is highly encouraging, while we await notification of further results from the Malian lithium assets which we expect before the end of November."

Figure 1: Map displaying auger geochemical anomalies encountered

Further Information

Xantus Inc, through its subsidiary Xantus Niger, holds four contiguous permits in South-Western Niger, 170km from the capital city, Niamey, in the Department of Tera in the Tillabery region. The permit areas have historically proven lithium occurrences and substantial swarms of spodumene bearing pegmatite veins have been encountered and mapped over 75% of the permit areas.

The targets are in close proximity to the western contact of the Birimian volcano sedimentary formation. Birimian Limited's and Kodal Minerals Plc's project areas, both of which have made significant lithium discoveries, are similarly located in close proximity to the Birimian volcanic formation.

The occurrence of lithium-bearing pegmatites within the Precambrian rocks of the Liptako, were initially reported by Machens (1961). These occurrences were observed in the region of Terra in close proximity to the western contact of the Birimian volcano sedimentary formation with the enclosing granitoids.

The 2018 Niger drill exploration was organised in consideration of the historic data available and targeted areas with recorded elevated lithium-bearing pegmatites had been encountered. 3,000 auger geochemistry drill meters were planned to test historically mapped lithium occurrences located within Xantus' permit area. A total of 860 auger drill holes were completed in late July 2018 to an average depth of approximately 3.5m from surface. A further 15 rock chip samples were collected from various pegmatite outcrops encountered within the permit areas.

905 samples were submitted to the SGS laboratory in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for sample preparation and pulp samples were transferred to the SGS laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa, for multi-element analysis. All assay results for samples submitted were received in late October 2018.

The samples collected were predominantly from granite saprolite, as the geology across the project area predominantly consists of biotite-granite and alkali-granite. This programme was intended to sample beneath the aeolian sand cover, and successfully did this. Further testing of the permit area could focus on the hard-rock source of the geochemical anomaly at depth.

Competent Persons Statement

The exploration results and activity reported in this announcement are based on information compiled by Mr Michael Cantey (BSc Geology, Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists). Mr Cantey is a full-time employee of Sahara Natural Resources and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person under AIM Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies and as defined in the 2012 edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Cantey consents to the inclusion in the release of the statements based on his information in the form and context in which they appear.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of article 7 of the market abuse regulation (EU) 596/2014.

**Ends**

For further information please visit https://twoshields.co.uk/ or contact:

 
Charlie Wood                  Two Shields Investments Plc       [phone] 
                              Spark Advisory Partners Limited 
Neil Baldwin/Andrew Emmott     (Nominated Adviser)              [phone] 
Andy Thacker                  Turner Pope Ltd                   [phone] 
 Frank Buhagiar/Gaby Jenner    St Brides Partners Ltd            [phone] 
 

Notes to Editors:

Two Shields Investments Plc is an investing company, quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, with a strategy focused on identifying and investing in opportunities in mineral exploration and mining and Digital Assets, financial technologies and other technologies applicable to, or involved in, the blockchain space. The Company has an experienced Board of Directors with a proven pedigree in the acquisition, development & sale of projects and creating value for shareholders. The investment mandate covers unquoted and quoted businesses, as well as direct project investment.

The Company currently has investments in a number of companies which provide exposure to commodities which are relevant to the rapidly growing technology metal sector, including lithium, cobalt and nickel, as well as strategic positions in a geoscience consultancy and a leading international company in the online brand protection, anti-counterfeiting and anti-fraud sector which has developed the one of the most comprehensive systems using AI powered cyber intelligence systems and is developing its proprietary blockchain-based platform for anti-fraud purposes.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.rns.com.

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November 12, 2018 07:30 ET (12:30 GMT)