Solis Minerals Ltd (ASX:SLM, TSX-V:SLMN, OTCQB:SLMFF) has kicked off a 3,600-metre lithium drill program at its Estrela prospect, situated in the emerging Borborema Lithium Province in Brazil.
Notably, the company’s diamond drill program has identified multiple outcropping pegmatites at Estrela that will be tested as part of its initial program.
The first of two large capacity track-mounted rigs is onsite and drilling the first pegmatite target which previously returned rock chips of up to 7.6% lithium.
Furthermore, four separate outcropping pegmatite bodies have been confirmed to be spodumene bearing, representing over 1.5 kilometres of surface strike extension.
“Highly prospective”
Solis executive director Matthew Boyes said: “Solis is exploring the lithium potential within the Borborema Province, with primary targets at Estrela and Mina Vermelha, both located within 15 kilometres of the town of Parelhas, where the company established a base to facilitate operations and to engage with local communities.
“Drilling has now commenced at the Estrela prospect. Early results from surface samples appear to be highly prospective with at least four different spodumene-rich pegmatite outcrops sampled.
“All samples returned high grades of lithium from the artisanal workings, from pegmatites up to 30 metres in apparent thickness.
“The purpose of this drill program is to demonstrate continuity of mineralisation and volume down dip and along strike across the tenement.
“The first track-mounted rig has commenced drilling on site, with a second machine scheduled to arrive before the end of October.
“This program will maximise the chance of proving the potential at Estrela in a rapid timeframe.”
$SLM Solis Minerals targets spodumene-rich outcrops at Brazilian lithium project https://t.co/CWTSfTtFfB @SolisMinerals $SLMFF $SLMN #SLM #SLMFF #SLMN #ASX #ASXNews— Proactive Australia (@proactive_au) September 7, 2023
Drill program
The maiden drilling program at Estrela consists of twenty-three drillholes and will target four outcropping pegmatite bodies with identified spodumene in rock chip samples.
The outcropping pegmatites have been mapped over a strike distance of greater than 1.2 kilometres with surface expressions exhibiting widths up to 30 metres in artisanal workings.
Drillholes are designed to intersect the pegmatite bodies at between 60-120 metres below surface with the scope of demonstrating the bodies have potential to host economically viable volumes and grades of mineralisation.
Drillhole location plan for maiden drill programme at Estrela prospect
Forward plan
Solis expects the first program will require two months to complete with the addition of a second rig scheduled to arrive on site in the fourth week of October.
An additional 1,420-metre program consisting of eight holes has also been designed for the Mina Vermelha prospect.
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