Lithium AustraliaNL said April 4 that it has been granted mineral exploration license30897 for its Bynoe lithium project in the Bynoe pegmatite field of Australia'sNorthern Territory.

Apart from adding to the company's project suite in Australiaand Mexico, the new license is also in line with Lithium Australia's strategy ofacquiring lithium projects to control more resources, which will complement itsSileach metal extraction technology.

The new license covers more than 60 square kilometers and containsat least 20 known pegmatites. According to the company, the project has potentialfor economically significant lithium mineralization, which has been proved in atleast one pegmatite so far.

Lithium Australia also noted that mining within the Bynoe pegmatitefield started in 1888, exploiting mainly surface tin deposits, but explorers laterfocused on the tin and tantalum potential of the pegmatites and only very recentlyhas the possibility of a significant lithium mineralization been considered.

The company plans to undertake a desktop study of the Bynoe projectto identify and evaluate lithium mineralization, while fieldwork is planned to startduring the dry season, once surface water has dissipated and access to the projectis easier.

Lithium Australia recently backed out from a deal to test the commercial potential ofthe resource at European Metals HoldingsLtd.'s Cinoveclithium-tin project in the Czech Republic after the parties failed to reach satisfactorycommercial terms for an anticipated joint venture.