Shree Minerals Ltd (ASX:SHH) has received approval for a Program of Work (POW) at the Dundas Project in WA encompassing RAB drilling to test the identified lithium pegmatite potential and gold anomalies.
This work will take place in the southern portion of tenement E36/2046 in line with an approved Conservation Management Plan (CMP).
The POW approval also includes infill of historical 1-kilometre spaced soil sample traverses in tenement E63/2048 with a powered auger to define and prioritise targets for rotary air blast (RAB) and reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
In lithium region
These exploration licences in WA’s Albany Fraser Orogen are interpreted to occur along strike of the well-endowed Boulder Lefroy Fault Zone and the Zuleika Shear.
Dundas is within a prominent area for the in-demand battery metal with world-class lithium in pegmatite deposits spatially related to these mineralised structures to the north of Shree’s tenure.
Shree is encouraged by the lithium prospectivity with pegmatites recorded from historical drill logs proximal to these structures within E63/2046.
Mapping has also identified historical drill hole spoils containing pegmatite chips.
Dundas is also prospective for gold with historical drilling intersections up to 3 g/t gold remaining open while associated soil geochemistry suggests the mineralisation is much more extensive than indicated by drilling.
POW approval for planned areas of exploration in FY2022-23.
Next steps
The company expects to commence aircore drilling later this year over selected gold, lithium and rare earth element (REE) targets.
This is warranted around and along strike of historical drill holes with recorded pegmatite and gold intervals.
Anomalous gold, REE and lithium pathfinder geochemistry will then be tested by RC drilling.
Following the completion of a heritage survey in E63/2048 infill auger drilling will begin over the historical gold geochemical targets. This will target a buried carbonate layer that has been a successful sample medium in outlining gold mineralisation in the Dundas Goldfield and elsewhere in WA.
Samples will be assayed for gold, nickel, base metals, REEs and lithium pathfinder elements. Anomalous auger geochemistry will then be tested by RC drilling.
Second CMP
Shree also plans to undertake preparations along with discussions with DBCA for the finalisation of a second CMP for:
- The next stage of exploration being RC and diamond drilling for areas approved in the first CMP and undergoing fieldwork in 2022-23.
- Pegmatite intersections identified in the northern areas of E63/2046.
- Exploration plans for ELA, E63/2136.
- Exploration plans for ELA, E63/2227.