Future Battery Minerals’ six-hole drilling program is turning up encouraging geological observations with the lithium claystone host formation intersected in four holes at the Western Flats and Lone Mountain prospects.
Future Battery Minerals’ (ASX:FBM) Phase-2 drilling program has intercepted the target horizon “Siebert Formation” which hosts the Lithium Claystone unit south of the Phase 1 discovery hole that hit 109.7m at 766ppm Li from 135.6m and 29m at 1,010ppm Li from a depth of 210.3m.
From the explorer’s point of view, this indicates potential extensions to lithium mineralisation identified in the Phase 1 program at the Nevada Lithium Project (NLP) near Tonopah in Nevada, USA.
While assays are still pending, FBM says the intersections of the target horizon range from a significant 76m to 204m, are of similar thickness to the discovery hole, and represents a potential strike length of 3.7km northeast–southwest and 2.6km east-west, remaining open to the south and east.
Plans on the move for Phase-3 drilling
“The company’s strong view is for an extension of the standout results in the Phase 1 drilling to continue and potentially shallow to the south onto the Lone Mountain Prospect,” FBM technical director Robin Cox says.
“While we eagerly await the return of assay results, plans are already underway for a Phase 3 drilling programme to commence once permitting is approved.”
Although drilling has intersected the target horizon, at this stage there is still no confirmation of the presence of Li or grade until assays are returned.
The Phase 2 drilling also encountered some difficulties with overlying transported gravels when attempting to reach planned hole depths and the drilling technique was adjusted accordingly.
Considering the challenges encountered and the significance of the prospect area, FBM says the upcoming Phase 3 drilling program will be modified to include a combination of a more suitable RC drill rig and potentially diamond core (DD) drilling.
Drilling at Heller
In addition to the drilling at Western Flats, three holes were drilled at the regional Heller Prospect.
While sequences of sediments and volcanics lithologies were intercepted, assays will be required to determine the prospectivity of the area.
This article was developed in collaboration with Future Battery Minerals, 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.