Exploration at FL1’s Blakala identifies up to 2.79% lithium oxide

First Lithium has intersected targeted pegmatites under the Series One holes
High-grade analytical results have also been received for Series Two holes
Blakala extension mapping and trenching is currently taking place

Special Report: First Lithium has been focusing its recent attention on metallurgical test work at the Blakala project in Mali ahead of a highly anticipated maiden resource.

Series Two holes at First Lithium’s (AX:FL1) Blakala have been drilled as Reverse Circulation (RC) pre-collars and diamond tails to intersect targeted pegmatites under the Series One holes, at depths of 50 – 100m below surface.

The project is one of only two Tier 1 priority lithium targets in Mali, the other being the giant 211Mt at 1.37% Li2O – now owned by Ganfeng after Leo Lithium (ASX:LLL) transferred its management responsibility on looking to exit the asset.

In nine short months since listing, FL1 has achieved a great deal via completion of a exploration program, starting met work and extended funding alongside the forthcoming definition of the project to create the base from which the company will grow in the future.

Standout results

Assay results for all remaining Series Two RC pre-collars and diamond drillholes tails for the first 15 Series Two holes at Blakala have now been received.

High grades were returned from all these holes covering ~1,200m strike on the Main Pegmatite body with results including:

41m at 1.91% Li2O from 81m;
20m at 2.03% Li2O from 69m; and
6.6m at 2.79% Li2O from 138.3m.

Pegmatite bands up to 10m wide were intersected between the western pegmatite and main pegmatite body showing considerable lithium content.

FL1 says the RC pre-collars were drilled until they intersected the Main Pegmatite drilling then continued with diamond tail drilling.

In some of the RC holes, several metres of the Main Pegmatite were intersected before drilling switched to the diamond tail drilling.

The extent of strike and depth with high Li2O grades of the Main Pegmatite has now been clearly shown with ~1,200m of strike as well as high grades at surface in the outcrop, high grades in the Series One holes and high grades in the Series Two holes.

Initiation of licence renewal a ‘positive sign’

“The Series Two analytical results highlight further significant lithium and with the MRE almost complete, the company looks forward to releasing the JORC results to the market,” FL1 managing director Venkat Padala says.

“The initiation of the license renewal process in Mali is also a positive sign for FL1 as we move to the release of the company’s maiden MRE.”

What’s coming up?

Blakala extension mapping and trenching, as well as mapping and trenching of numerous other targets on the Gouna permit is currently taking place.

The resource estimate is being undertaken by Pivot Mining and the Mali government has initiated actions for implementing an amended Mining Code by collecting documents as a preliminary step to begin the license renewal process.

This article was developed in collaboration with First Lithium, 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.