With a view to the commencement of stage 1 reverse circulation drilling later this quarter at its North Dam Project, CuFe Ltd (ASX:CUF) has completed a tenement-wide soil geochemical program, extending previously reported lithium oxide soil anomalies and target zones across the project area.
Notably, an anomalous lithium oxide (>100ppm) within soils samples zone at the project in Western Australia (E15/1495 and M15/1841) now extends to around 3.5-kilometres strike length.
“The results of the recent soil geochemical program are very exciting and have both extended the area of anomalous lithium oxide and provided the team additional information to refine the Stage 1 drill targets,” said CuFe executive director Mark Hancock.
“We are also pleased to have entered a Heritage Protection Agreement with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group to facilitate our exploration activities at the project and we thank them for their support and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the region.
"Pending the execution of drilling-specific heritage surveys, we will be on track to commence drilling this quarter.
“The potential for a significant lithium system within the Spargoville and North Dam region is growing with a number of junior participants actively exploring in the region, many in partnership with other major players.
"CuFe has retained 100% ownership of its project which gives our shareholders maximum leverage to success.”
Soil geochemical survey
A tenement-wide soil sampling program was executed in February that targeted infilling gaps around historical soils sampling and areas of the tenement that had not been covered. This program resulted in blanket coverage of the tenement to a 100-metre by 400-metre spacing and in highly prospective areas down to a 100-metre by 50-metre resolution.
Geochemical results have now been received and interpreted to show widespread anomalous lithium oxide concentrations above 100 ppm and up to 349 ppm.
The anomalous lithium oxide and pathfinder elements show a very strong correlation with mapped outcropping pegmatites and further provide invaluable data for the refinement of initial drill targets.
The anomalous lithium oxide zones reported in December have now extended to include a zone of approximately 3.5 kilometres strike length. The levels of elevated lithium oxide within the soils proximal to the outcropping pegmatites illustrate the potential size and fertility of this system.
Anomalous lithium oxide soil geochemistry and mapped pegmatite outcrops.
Native Title
CuFe also advises that a Heritage Protection Agreement for exploration activities has been signed with the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group.
This facilitates the expeditious grant of new tenure without objection by the Claimant Group while providing that CuFe ensure work done on the tenements is not likely to cause damage, disturbance or interference to any site of significance to the Claimant Group.
Heritage surveys of the initial Stage 1 drill areas are being considered and scheduled by the group with the aim of execution in upcoming weeks.
Stage 1 drill program
A Program of Works (PoW) has been approved by DEMIRS for a stage-1 reverse circulation (RC) drill program. The program will target key pegmatites that have been defined with reference to soil anomalies, rock chip samples and outcrop mapping.
A heritage survey of proposed drill pads is being scheduled. Drilling is expected to commence later this quarter upon completion of heritage clearance of targeted drilling areas.
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