Avz Minerals Ltd (ASX:AVZ) has fielded visual spodumene intervals in the first eight diamond holes at its flagship Manono Lithium and Tin Project in the Congo.
The company’s diamond drill program, comprising of 48 holes across 15,000 metres, is progressing smoothly at the Roche Dure extension area northeast of the current open pit mine design.
Moving forward, AVZ is currently double shifting with two rigs at the project with plans to add a third rig shortly.
Coarse crystalline spodumene
AVZ managing director Nigel Ferguson said: “We are happy to report that the first eight holes are mineralised with coarse crystalline spodumene present.
“Hole MO22DD008 is located about 300 metres north-east of the current open pit design.
“The diamond core is being processed at our on-site laboratory and the first four holes have been pulverised and are in transit to Perth where the assays will confirm the lithium grades in addition to other elements being tested.
“Early visual indications are as per our expectations and are assisting in interpreting the shape and dip of the orebody moving further north-east along strike from areas previously drilled.”
Drill program
To date, AVZ has completed 1,500 metres across eight holes of the planned 15,000-metre diamond drill program.
The company’s delineation drilling at the Roche Dure lithium deposit is expected to confirm the reinterpretation of the hanging wall pegmatite contact about 50 metres further northeast as indicated by the ore discovered in an earlier ‘outlying” piezometer drill hole.
Currently, there are no assays available and the contained percentages of spodumene noted by the geologists are estimates only.
This requires follow-up assays for inclusion in the new resource estimates that will be undertaken at the conclusion of the drilling program.
The first four holes sampled with pulverised portions have left site and are in transit to the laboratory in Perth.
Visual estimates at Manono.
Hosting medical researchers
The company recently hosted an international team of medical researchers at Camp Colline in Manono last week.
This team, headed up by Professor Celestin Banza of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lubumbashi, included colleagues from Belgium as well as Dr Patrice of the Manono District Hospital.
The group are involved in research into the health of artisanal miners and people living and working around mines in the DRC.