Stelar Metals Ltd has lodged an application with the NSW Government to undertake its first drilling program at the Trident Lithium Project near the traditional mining centre of Broken Hill in Far West NSW.
An ‘Application to Undertake Assessable Prospecting Operations’ (APO) has been lodged with the New South Wales Resources Regulator.
The critical minerals explorer has planned up to 19 reverse circulation holes of 150 metres depth for a total of around 3,000 metres to test under outcropping lithium mineralised pegmatites.
Plans encompass holes at Trident, Sceptre, Lady Don and in the broader Triumph Area including the recently identified Stag and Gloria pegmatites.
Hard-rock lithium targets
Trident Lithium Project extends over the 20-kilometre strike length of the historical Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field that is prospective for hard-rock lithium mineralisation.
Trident Project showing location of the Trident, Sceptre, Lady Don and Triumph pegmatites to be tested in the inaugural drilling program.
At Euriowie pegmatites have historically been mined for lithium and tin, highlighting the fertility and large scale of the lithium-rich pegmatite system at Trident. Historical lithium production was undertaken in the middle of the last century.
The mapped LCT-type pegmatites targeted in the drilling vary in size but have been measured to be up to 100 metres wide and over 1 kilometre in length.
Flexible program
Stelar’s drill program, which is expected to be completed during the December quarter of 2023, is designed to be flexible to allow an initial assessment of the orientation and morphology of the known lithium mineralised pegmatites.
Additionally, targeting under the known shallow workings below the oxide-zone will provide an opportunity to better assess the lithium mineral zoning in the Trident Pegmatite System and test for the presence of spodumene which typically weathers away near surface.
Drilling approval is anticipated within two months and Stelar is also working toward to finalise the drilling contract for the upcoming program shortly. Discussions with drilling service providers are at an advanced stage.
Trident Lithium Project showing the Phase 1 planned drill areas over Trident, Sceptre, Lady Don and Triumph pegmatites.
Supporting documentation
To assist with and coordinate the APO drilling application submission, the company has engaged Hughes Mining Services and Orthosa Mineral Exploration Services.
All necessary supporting documentation to support a drilling approval under the NSW Resources Regulator’s tiered and streamlined ‘Complying Exploration Activity’ (CEA) assessment process has been compiled.
This process uses the self-assessment that Stelar is undertaking to expedite approvals in areas where the potential impact to the environment; ecological communities and habitats; as well as Cultural and European heritage is considered and can be demonstrated to be low.
As part of this process, the company has completed an Environmental Assessment study, which was conducted in early July by a Broken Hill-based, BAM-accredited ecologist and botanist.
Environmental and Heritage Consultants from Dubbo have assisted Stelar with cultural and heritage desktop studies.
The company has engaged with the Traditional Custodians and Pastoral Lease Holders over previous months and is planning cultural heritage clearances to be undertaken in coming weeks whilst the drill application progresses through the NSW Government approval process.