Astro Resources NL (ASX:ARO) has kicked off an aircore drilling campaign spanning 1,220 metres at the recently staked Polaris and Altair Lithium projects, part of its‘highly prospective’ Nevada lithium-in-clay projects in the US.
Notably, the projects are in the heart of one of the world’s hot spots for lithium exploration, to the south of Nevada’s prolific Big Smoky Valley Lithium District.
The eight-hole program is designed as an early ‘scout’ program to establish the presence of lithium-in-clay mineralisation at strategic locations in the project areas, with results to dictate subsequent exploration drilling.
Subject to ground conditions, the drilling campaign is expected to be completed by mid-May, with assay results expected by mid-July.
“Rapid progress”
Astro executive chairman Tony Leibowitz said: “I am very pleased to see the rapid progress being made by our team in executing our lithium exploration strategy in North America.
“The maiden drilling campaign will provide early insight into the lithium production potential of the Polaris and Altair projects, situated in what is a highly sought-after lithium district.”
Location of the newly staked Polaris and Altair projects.
World’s hot spots
Nevada hosts several large claystone-hosted lithium deposits and is home to North America’s only lithium mining operation, Albermarle’s Silver Peak lithium brine operation.
Both of Astro’s projects are near outcropping tertiary sedimentary host rock units known to host claystone lithium deposits around Nevada, including Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Project and Lithium America’s Thacker Pass deposit – the largest lithium deposit in North America.
The project locations were staked following a systematic review of regional open file data, such as mapped geology, topography, stream sediment geochemistry, land administration and an assessment of suitable claim-free areas.
Drill campaign
Astro’s maiden aircore drill campaign comprises five holes at the Polaris Project and three holes at the Altair Project for a combined 1,220 metres of drilling.
The vertical-hole campaign is designed to test for lithium mineralisation in prospective Siebert formation claystone host rocks, which host two lithium mineral resources north of Astro’s projects.
Recent activity
The exploration district is one of the world’s hot spots for lithium exploration, with recent activity including:
- American Battery Technology Corporation announced 15.8 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) inferred mineral resource estimate for its Tonopah Flats Lithium Clay Deposit.
- Exploration drilling is underway at Pan-American Energy’s Horizon South project, immediately north of Astro’s Polaris Project
- Future Battery Minerals’ lithium-clay discovery, including an intercept of 109.7 metres at 766ppm lithium from 135.6 metres.