Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR, OTC:MXRRF) has identified spodumene as the dominant lithium-bearing mineral in recent reverse circulation (RC) drilling at Lefroy Lithium Project, 25 kilometres from Kambalda in Western Australia.
The spodumene mineralisation was returned from the high-grade intersection of 6 metres at 1.11% lithium oxide, including 3 metres at 1.99% lithium from 91 metres at the Kandui Prospect.
Notably, Maximus is advancing a tenement-wide soil sampling program, aiming to deliver additional drill targets at the project.
Kandui lies within the greater Lefroy Lithium Project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields ’lithium corridor’, about 20 kilometres south of Mineral Resources' Mt Marion lithium mine.
“Significant advancement”
Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: “This is a significant advancement for the Lefroy Lithium Project, confirming the high-grade lithium intersection at Kandui is completely mineralised with spodumene.
“This previously hidden pegmatite has a strong up-dip correlation to an extensive +100ppm lithium soil anomaly, highlighting the opportunity for additional lithium-bearing pegmatites to be discovered.
“Maximus has moved quickly following the execution of the KOMIR Joint Venture, commencing a tenement-wide soil sampling program aimed at building a pipeline of additional drill targets.
“The first phase ~3,000-metre drill program is nearing completion and testing known pegmatites and an extensive 2-kilometre x 1-kilometre lithium soil anomaly.
“The current program is utilising the KOMIR Joint Venture non-refundable deposit with the larger program scheduled to commence in early 2024.“
RC drill chips showing KDRC007 pegmatite intercept, with minerals comprising of spodumene-feldspar quartz-albite (pink) ± trace micas.
Sampling program
The first-phase 30-hole, 3,000-metre reverse circulation (RC) drill program is centred on a lithium soil anomaly and is nearing completion with assay results expected in 3-4 weeks.
The systematic exploration program kicked off under the US$3 million Lefroy Lithium Joint Venture with the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR).
To date, the company has completed 50% of the tenement-wide soil sampling, aiming to deliver additional drill targets.
$MXR Maximus Resources kicks off drilling at Lefroy Lithium Project https://t.co/fWb1m5Xu06 @MaximusRes $MXRRF #MXR #MXRRF #ASX #ASXNews— Proactive Australia (@proactive_au) November 3, 2023
Forward plan
RC samples are being submitted for RAMAN spectroscopy for analysis of lithium-bearing minerals.
Additionally, samples from KDRC007 have also been submitted for quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to determine the relative concentrations of minerals present.
Soil geochemistry sampling has proven to be an effective method for detecting concealed or previously unknown areas of lithium-bearing pegmatites due to the shallow cover in the region.
The program is advancing successfully, having to date collected 1,700 of the intended 3,500 samples, and is on track to be completed within the next two months.
Regular updates on assay results and progress are anticipated throughout this period.