The first two holes of Azure Minerals Ltd (ASX:AZS)'s lithium-focused exploration drilling program have intersected substantial widths of spodumene-bearing pegmatite at the Andover Project in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia, in which Azure has a 60% stake.
Highlights
The company intersected pegmatites with visible spodumene in its first two lithium-focused drill holes:
- ANDD0201: 22-metre-wide pegmatite from 187 metres downhole (around 151 metres vertical depth); and
- ANDD0202: 27-metre-wide pegmatite from 197.4 metres downhole (around 140 metres vertical depth).
“It’s highly encouraging that the first two holes of our lithium-focused drilling campaign successfully intersected substantial widths of pegmatite containing spodumene,” Azure managing director Tony Rovira said.
“This gives us an exciting start to the Andover lithium exploration story, confirming that the widespread, lithium-rich pegmatites observed at surface extend to depth, providing significant volume potential.”
Lithium-focused diamond drilling is underway to test beneath outcropping pegmatites in the central part of the Andover project area.
Early holes are targeting the down-dip extensions of outcropping pegmatites that dip shallowly to the north.
The company says significant amounts of spodumene have been observed within these pegmatite outcrops – previous assay results from surface sampling have confirmed the presence of high grades of lithium in the range of 3%-4% Li2O.
What’s next?
Upcoming drill holes will follow up these intersections to define the orientation, continuity and dimensions of this pegmatite.
Once the requisite heritage and environmental approvals are in, the company will drill to determine the scale and depth potential of lithium mineralisation identified in other outcropping pegmatites across the project area.
Mapping of nearby outcropping pegmatites has confirmed extensive visible spodumene mineralisation, including over the 900-metre by 100-metre AP0012 prospect.
The highest priority drill targets are pegmatite outcrops hosting visible quantities of spodumene with high lithium grades, which demonstrate potential for ‘significant volumes of mineralisation’.
Read more on Proactive Investors AU
