Drilling continues to intersect spodumene mineralisation over substantial widths in the vicinity of the AP0012 and AP0011 lithium prospects at Andover.
So far, Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS) has drilled four diamond holes with a fifth hole currently in progress, intersecting significant widths of spodumene-bearing pegmatites.
Drill hole ANDD0202 was re-entered and extended to test for the lower pegmatite, successfully intersecting the visually spodumene-rich pegmatite over a downhole length of 31.7m.
Other results include a 12.1m wide pegmatite from 219m, a 52.9m wide pegmatite from 247.7m, and a 29.7m wide pegmatite from 190.7m.
Overall, the program is targeting mineralised pegmatites closer to surface to determine the relationship between the spodumene-rich drill intersections and the outcropping pegmatites that host high lithium grades.
Exploration will be accelerated with the addition of a second diamond drill rig which is expected to be operating on site within the next two weeks.
‘Fertile and strongly mineralised’
“Visually, the observations of abundant spodumene demonstrate that the Andover pegmatites are fertile and strongly mineralised,” AZS MD Tony Rovira says.
“We are now mobilising a second diamond drill rig to site to accelerate the lithium-focused exploration in the AP0011 / AP0012 area, while we wait on environmental and heritage approvals to access some of our other high priority lithium targets.”
What’s next?
Following receipt of requisite heritage clearances and environmental approvals, drilling will then also target other pegmatite outcrops that visually host substantial quantities of spodumene with high lithium grades, and which demonstrate potential for significant volumes of mineralisation.
This article was developed in collaboration with Azure 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.