Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M) has now completed exploration drilling on tenement E63/2000 to test the geochemistry beneath a surface soil anomalism at its flagship Dundas project, 34-kilometres east of Norseman in Western Australia.
The program successfully finished 96 aircore holes for 3,820 metres of drilling to test the lithium, caesium and rubidium geochemical in soil anomalism that was identified at surface by infill soil programs late last year.
The drilling targeted two anomalous areas within tenement E63/2000 — one of around 2.6-kilometres by 1-kilometre with a lithium in-soil anomaly of greater than 100ppm, and a subordinate 600-metre by 300-metre area.
This was identified during late 2023 as part of the company’s aggressive exploration strategy across the Dundas group of tenements. Holes were drilled until blade refusal and averaged around 39 metres maximum depth.
“Another important incremental step”
Lightning Minerals managing director Alex Biggs said: “Completion of aircore drilling on tenement E63/2000 is another important incremental step in identifying the mineralisation potential of the previously identified lithium in-soil anomalies.
“We have expedited this campaign efficiently and cost effectively to allow us the best opportunity to continue to identify drill targets for future campaigns. Despite the current market sentiment this doesn’t change the fact that the Dundas region is an emerging and important lithium district.
“The company still believes in the green energy thematic and continues to execute on its promises that were committed to at the IPO stage. I would like to thank our geology team and contractors for their efforts and conducting the program in a safe and efficient manner."
Samples enroute to lab
Samples were collected from all holes, with a 4-metre composite sampling technique employed. The samples taken are now enroute to the lab in Perth for a full suite of exploration stage low level elemental analysis, with assay results expected within six to eight weeks.
Any composite samples that return elevated geochemistry for pathfinder elements will be resampled for further analysis at a one-metre resolution to better understand the tenor of the results within the saprolite profile.
The results of this final round of analysis may then be used to target and locate a reverse circulation (RC) drill campaign that can penetrate to fresh rock below any weathered profile.
Follow up program warranted
Elsewhere at Dundas, logistics are being arranged for an infill soil sampling campaign on tenement E63/2028. Review of previous soil geochemistry results in this tenement warrants a follow-up program to further test the thin/stripped saprolite profile present.
The company says the program could be undertaken as early as March, depending on permitting.
Plans are also being finalised for infill soil sampling programs to follow up previous results at the company’s Dundas North Project.