• GRE reports 1.82% Li2O from latest rock chip sampling at West Pilbara projects in WA
  • The projects are close to Azure’s Andover project where SQM just bid $1.6bn for the company
  • Maiden drilling is planned at the Osborne JV this quarter

 

GreenTech Metals has reported more high-grade rock chips – this time up to 1.82% Li2O – from the Kobe zone at its West Pilbara lithium projects in WA.

The company’s West Pilbara lithium projects are close to Azure Minerals’ (ASX:AZS) Andover project, where major shareholder Chilean firm SQM – one of the world’s largest lithium producers – put in a massive offer for the Aussie explorer last week.

“In light of SQM’s proposed A$1.6bn acquisition of Azure Minerals, the West Pilbara is truly cementing its position as one of the world’s premier jurisdictions for hard rock lithium exploration,” GreenTech Metals (ASX:GRE) executive director Thomas Reddicliffe said.

“GreenTech is looking forward to unlocking the true potential of its tenure in this highly prospective region.”

Infill outcrop sampling and mapping has now been completed at the Ruth Well project and adjoining Osborne JV (51% GRE; 49% Artemis Resources (ASX:ARV)).

And results from latest rock chip samples at the Northern LCT pegmatite (Kobe prospect) at Ruth Well and Osborne have returned excellent lithium grades of up to 1.82% Li2O along the 7.5km long trend.

 

GreenTech Metals ASX GRE
A pegmatite outcrop at Kobe – “Northern Trend”. Pic via GreenTech

 

What’s the deal with the Pilbara?

The market this year has been set alight by lithium success stories in the Pilbara, namely Azure Minerals’ triumphs at the drill bit on its Andover project to uncover high-grade, sprawling lithium-bearing pegmatites.

Tune in below to hear GreenTech Metals’ Thomas Reddicliffe on the Pilbara’s lithium rush, what to look for when making a new discovery and the company’s latest work in the bustling neighbourhood.

 

 

Consistent grades across the project

Latest sampling has further demonstrated Kobe has 6km of strike extending from Ruth Well a further 1.5km eastward into the Osborne JV tenement – where previous rock chip samples have returned assay results of up to 1.80% Li2O.

Notable rock chip sampling assays at Kobe include:

  • 1.82% Li2O, 45ppm Ta2O5 and 80 ppm Nb2O5;
  • 1.41% Li2O, 131ppm Ta2O5 and 74 ppm Nb2O5;
  • 1.27% Li2O, 88ppm Ta2O5 and 76 ppm Nb2O5;
  • 1.16% Li2O, 115ppm Ta2O5 and 107 ppm Nb2O5;
  • 1.14% Li2O, 26ppm Ta2O5 and 83 ppm Nb2O5; and
  • 1.08% Li2O, 93ppm Ta2O5 and 114 ppm Nb2O5.

“We are encouraged by these latest assays from our West Pilbara lithium projects which confirm the scale and mineralisation potential of our tenements,” Reddicliffe said.

“Importantly, these high-grade assays further demonstrate the prospectiveness within the 7.5km strike at our Kobe prospect, and we are confident that further exploration and drilling will lead to more discoveries.”

 

Maiden drilling this quarter

GreenTech is continuing to research and review historic datasets with a view to potentially identifying new lithium pegmatite trends, and extensions to the known trends within the broader Ruth Well and Osborne Project areas.

Mapping and rock chip sampling are ongoing along with a program of infill soil sampling to test the Southern trend within the Ruth Well tenements beneath shallow cover.

The company has also completed initial heritage surveys, allowing maiden drilling program to commence this quarter, Reddicliffe said.

“Initially, we are planning to complete a stratigraphic drill hole at our southern pegmatite zone to improve our technical understanding of the area,” he said.

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with GreenTech Metals, 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.

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