Solis Minerals Ltd (ASX:SLM, TSX-V:SLMN, OTCQB:SLMFF) has mobilised a second large capacity drill rig to the Estrela prospect in the Borborema Province of Brazil, one of two major provinces in Brazil known to be rich in lithium-bearing pegmatites.
The company is targeting multiple outcropping pegmatites at Estrela with an initial drilling program of 3,600 metres over 23 diamond-drilled holes.
The outcrops have been mapped over a strike distance of more than 1.2 kilometres with surface widths of up to 30 metres, offering plenty of prospective ground to explore.
Drilling to be complete by year-end
“Solis is exploring the lithium potential within the Borborema Province, with primary targets at Estrela and Mina Vermelha,” Solis Minerals executive director Matthew Boyes said.
“Both prospects are located about 15 kilometres from the town of Parelhas, where the company has established a base to facilitate operational management and engage with local communities.
“A second large capacity drill rig has now commenced drilling at the Estrela prospect which will accelerate the program.
“Between the two rigs, all currently known pegmatites on the Estrela tenements will be tested before year end.”
SLM is targeting pegmatite bodies between 60-120 metres below surface with the goal of demonstrating the presence of economical levels of spodumene (hard rock lithium).
Regional geochemical exploration
“In additional to the Estrela drilling program, Solis is pleased to have contracted Mountain GMT to commence a large geochemical program on several northern tenements in the Borborema Project package,” Boyes continued.
“The collection of eight tenements, located near the town of Cerro Cora, covers a significant portion of the northern Borborema lithium corridor.
“This initial program includes geochemical soil sampling and will guide drill targeting during 2024.”
The area of interest for the broader regional exploration program includes eight tenements of about 12,200 hectares of unexplored greenfield ground.
Solis intends to collect 2,500 soil samples covering about 4,000 hectares by the end of the first quarter next year.