Stelar Metals Ltd (ASX:SLB) highlighted significant progress at its Trident Lithium Project near Broken Hill in Far West New South Wales during the last quarter.
Located over the 20-kilometre strike length of the Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field, Trident is proving to be highly prospective for hard rock lithium mineralisation.
Key developments at the Trident Project include successful initial reverse circulation (RC) drilling which intersected high-grade lithium with results up to 8 metres at 1.16% Li2O, including 4 metres at 1.85% Li2O.
The 2024 fieldwork identified new, extensive zoned pegmatites at two prospects within the project area:
- Pilgrim Prospect - Features pegmatites that strike approximately 2 kilometres north-south with mapped widths up to 500 metres.
- Sabre Prospect - Contains pegmatites striking about 4 kilometres east-west with mapped widths up to 700 metres.
- An additional 3.2-kilometre strike potential was mapped north of the drilled areas, linking Trident to the Mount Euriowie pegmatite mines.
- High-grade lithium rock chip assays were returned from the Caloola Prospect, located 7 kilometres north of Trident, with values up to 2.8% Li2O.
Note, the company had a cash balance of $4.085 million at March 31, 2024.
"Significant quarter"
“This has been a significant quarter for Stelar as we uncover the immense scale of the pegmatite systems in the Trident Lithium Project in western NSW near mining, power and rail infrastructure at Broken Hill,” Stelar CEO Colin Skidmore said.
“The identification of new pegmatites across our project tenement is incredibly exciting as we continue to plan our next exploration and drill programs.
“We are eager to receive additional results from rock chip and soil samples along with petrological analysis to understand better the mineralogy and distribution of lithium in the Trident Lithium Project.”
Promising lithium potential
Stelar’s Trident Lithium Project, situated 50 kilometres north of Broken Hill, spans an extensive 260 square kilometres and is recognised for its high potential for hard rock lithium mineralisation.
The project benefits from its proximity to vital infrastructure including mineral processing facilities, power and rail, all accessible via sealed roads, enhancing the logistical and operational efficiency of the site.
During the quarter, Stelar initiated its first RC drilling campaign at Trident, marking a significant step in the exploration of this emerging lithium province in NSW.
The program consisted of 29 holes, covering a total of 2,630 metres across 18 drill sites.
Notably, the highest-grade drill intercept was 8 metres at 1.16% Li2O from 8 metres, including 4 metres at 1.85% Li2O in drill hole TRD001.
Alongside this high-grade discovery, the drilling also revealed broad intercepts showing anomalous lithium values ranging from 0.1-0.3% Li2O within the pegmatites, with substantial thicknesses such as 32 metres at 0.13% in TRD010 and 34 metres at 0.20% in TRD012, indicating a promising northern extension.
Further exploration has led to the identification of several large new pegmatite bodies south of Trident on EL 8736, areas not previously recorded on government maps.
These discoveries include the Pilgrim Prospect and Sabre Prospect, where geological mapping and surface sampling have shown similar zonation and exotic mineral assemblages comparable to those observed at the Trident Lithium Mine.
The mineralised pegmatite zone at Trident now extends over 3 kilometres to the north, although only the smaller southern portion has been tested by the initial drilling efforts.
Mapping and sampling
Stelar has made significant strides in its geological mapping and sampling activities during the quarter, particularly with the promising results from the Caloola area, 7 kilometres north of the Trident Project.
High-grade lithium rock-chip assays from Caloola have returned values up to 2.8% Li2O. These encouraging results have confirmed the presence of high-grade lithium in the northern portion of the Euriowie Pegmatite Tin Field, prompting Stelar to prioritise expanded new areas for further reconnaissance mapping and sampling in upcoming months.
Further efforts in geological exploration include the submission of additional rock chip and soil samples for laboratory analysis, with results still pending. This ongoing analysis will contribute to a deeper understanding of the area's geological characteristics and potential.
Next steps in exploration
By prioritising geological exploration and systematic sampling, Stelar aims to enhance its understanding of the region's mineral resources which support the development of a robust drilling program in the near future.