Canada-focused multi-asset lithium business Green Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:GT1, OTC:GTMLF) has been hard at work at the Root Lithium Project in Ontario, where it continues to find thick, high-grade lithium grades in ongoing drilling.
Resource expansion on horizon
"The initial high-grade assay results from our deep extension drilling at the Root Lithium Project have further strengthened our confidence in resource expansion,” said managing director Cameron Henry.
The first two deep extension holes at the Root Bay deposit, which target underground resource growth, have been particularly promising:
- 17.3 metres at 1.80% lithium dioxide (Li₂O) from 611.9 metres; and
- 16.3 metres at 1.27% Li₂O from 378.3 metres.
To date, 11 of 16 planned holes have been completed, confirming a downdip extension of 1,100 metres for pegmatite RB006, with 800 metres below the current pit design.
Thickening in the southern sections suggests underground mining potential, supported by high lithium oxide grades and visible spodumene content.
Results from eight remaining holes are expected within four to six weeks with an updated mineral resource to follow.
Over at Root Bay East, a 4,000-metre program is underway to build on promising intersections from 2023, including 23.3 metres at 1.16% Li₂O and 11.7 metres at 1.12% Li₂O.
Early drilling targets north-south striking, east-dipping pegmatites to further define mineralisation extents. Promising initial results indicate strong potential for resource expansion.
Pegmatites RB006 and RB007 at Root Bay point to continuity to more than 1,100 metres downdip from surface and more than 800 metres below the current $850 pit design.
What’s more, pegmatite RB017 continues to depth below RB006, which potentially adds an additional mineralised pegmatite for underground mine assessment.
Potentially mineable underground thickness
“We are encouraged to see pegmatites RB006 and RB007 extending at depth, with RB017 showing potentially mineable underground thicknesses, indicating significant resource growth potential,” said Henry.
“To the east, despite some initial delays, the drill program is now underway with the first hole completed. We are eager to finish the remaining drilling by year-end and continue advancing the growth of our resource base."
The 14,000-metre, two-phase diamond drilling program continues at the 14.6-million-tonne Root Lithium Project with 11 drill holes totalling 6,450 metres completed to date from phase 1 of the program.
Phase 2, a 4,000-metre 10-hole drilling program at Root Bay East, has started and is designed to further delineate the pegmatite extents from the maiden drilling program the company conducted in 2023.
The global resource inventory at Root now sits at 24.9 million tonnes, with the company planning to prepare a revised mineral resource update pending receipt of all assays.