Recent assays from Forrestania Resources Ltd (ASX:FRS)’s flagship Forrestania Lithium Project, in WA’s southern Yilgarn region, have intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatite in multiple drill holes.
The results come from a follow-up reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at South Iron Cap East, with peak lithium assays in recent drilling of up to 0.95% lithium oxide (Li2O) demonstrating the potential to host ore-grade mineralisation.
Importantly, pegmatite remains open down dip and along strike and further interpretation and exploration planning is underway to target zones of potential pegmatite accumulation and associated lithium mineralisation.
Six holes were completed for 729 metres. The holes were positioned up to 85 metres away from the previously drilled hole FSIR0010, which contained spodumene-bearing pegmatite intercepting:
- 5 metres at 0.55% Li2O from 41 metres, including 2 metres at 0.95% from 43 metres.
- 4 metres at 0.56% Li2O from 74 metres in drill hole FSIR0017; and
- 2 metres at 0.65% from 151 metres in drill hole FSIR0019.
Plan view of South Iron Cap East drilling area showing drilled holes and interpreted projection of spodumene-bearing pegmatite. It also shows previously mapped pegmatite outcrop and existing holes with logged pegmatite.
“Our work in and around South Iron Cap East continues to deliver results which highlight the potential for discovery of a significant mineralised system,” Forrestania managing director Michael Anderson said.
“We know the region is host to multiple, stacked pegmatites (including at the world-class Mount Holland Lithium Mine) and we are now consistently finding spodumene and highly anomalous lithium grades.
"We remain convinced of the prospectivity across the Forrestania project and believe that a continuation of our systematic approach will ultimately unlock the potential value for our shareholders.”
Forrestania Project showing regional geology interpretation including location of lithium prospects.
Drilling down the detail
The recently finished RC drilling program at South Iron Cap East was a small program designed to understand the orientation and confirm the extension of a spodumene-bearing pegmatite intersected in Forrestania’s previous drilling program.
The same pegmatite body was intercepted in all of the new drill holes, including consistent occurrences of visible spodumene crystals.
This pegmatite appears to strike northeast-southwest, dipping at approximately 60 degrees to the southeast. It varies between ~3 and ~6 metres in true thickness.
Confirmation of the extension of the pegmatite and the consistent presence of spodumene are encouraging along with assay results confirming the presence of anomalous lithium mineralisation.
FRS holds a favourable outlook on the likely unearthing of a significant mineral-rich pegmatite formation at greater depths.
The characteristic tendency of regional pegmatites to narrow and expand seem to back this optimism up.
Moreover, the drill hole intercepts are situated about one kilometre from the previous assay outcome of 50 metres at 0.95% Li2O on IGO Ltd's adjacent property.
Map showing location of South Iron Cap East relative to South Ironcap (IGO).
Ongoing analysis is being conducted to refine future drilling strategies, with a concentration on areas likely to contain accumulations of pegmatite and lithium deposits.
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