A large lithium-bearing pegmatite system could be lurking under the surface at St George’s Mt Alexander Project

Recent drilling suggests outcropping lithium-bearing pegmatites continue below the surface up to a vertical depth of at least 200m and in most cases, are open at depth.

The latest assays for rock chips, which have returned up to 3.25% Li2O have also been completed and highlight new broad areas of prospective fractionated pegmatite outcrop.

A combination of reverse circulation and diamond drilling on a total of 20 holes intersected pegmatites with visual lithium-bearing minerals, which St George Mining (ASX:SGQ) says implies a fertile lithium-mineral system is present along a strike of 1.7km.

While the company is very encouraged by the geology identified in the completed drill holes, the visual observation of lithium‐bearing minerals within pegmatites does not necessarily equate to lithium mineralisation, and laboratory assays are required to confirm the presence and grade of any contained lithium.

Assays pending

“Our first-ever lithium targeted drilling at Mt Alexander was designed as an initial program to test for continuity below surface of the high-grade lithium bearing pegmatite outcrops confirmed by rock chip sampling,” SGQ executive chairman John Prineas says.

“The drill program has successfully confirmed that these pegmatites continue below surface – in some cases up to 200m below surface – and lithium-bearing minerals have been logged in these pegmatite intersections with assays pending.

“This is a great start to our lithium drilling campaign at Mt Alexander and we are excited about ramping up drilling and broader exploration activities in 2023 with more than 20,000m of drilling scheduled.”

Ending the year on a high note

With more than 13km of the pegmatite corridor yet to be effectively explored – and ongoing rock chip sampling confirming other areas of additional prospective pegmatites – SGQ believes the exploration upside at Mt Alexander is significant.

There has been no previous systematic lithium exploration at Mt Alexander and exploration to date has quickly provided walk-up drill targets and confirmation of high-grade mineralisation starting from surface.

“Importantly, the success of the drill program means we end 2022 with significant momentum that will carry through into the New Year, with plans to resume drilling in as early as February,” Prineas adds.

What’s next?

An aggressive work program will kick off in January 2023 with assays for soil surveys on E29/962 pending – the results hold the potential to identify a lithium signature in an area where pegmatites are not exposed due to thin cover.

Assays for completed rock chip sampling of pegmatites in other parts of the pegmatite field are also pending with more than 92 samples submitted for assay.

Field mapping and rock chip sampling will resume in January 2023 and a major lithium drill program will commence in February with more than 20,000m of drilling scheduled for H1 2023 with potential to escalate.

This article was developed in collaboration with St George Mining, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.