- Potential pegmatite targets identified at newly acquired Yinnietharra lithium project following initial reconnaissance field work by Bubalus Resources
- Yinnietharra is just 2km east of Delta Lithium’s Malinda prospect where a 1.6km strike of spodumene-hosted mineralisation has been proven
- Soil sampling under way, a key tool in identifying target pegmatites for further drill testing
Special Report: Bubalus Resources has identified several potential pegmatite targets at its newly acquired Yinnietharra project, just over the fence from where Delta Lithium has proven up a 1.6km-long spodumene-hosted lithium find.
Having only completed its acquisition of the Yinnietharra tenements in WA’s Gascoyne region earlier this month, Bubalus Resources (ASX: BUS) quickly completed an initial field reconnaissance program, including preliminary mapping and observations of potential weathered pegmatites.
Yinnietharra is only 2km east of Delta Lithium’s (ASX: DLI) Malinda project where recent drilling identified spodumene-hosted lithium mineralisation over a distance of 1.6km and to a depth of 350m.
The spodumene-bearing pegmatites on DLI’s ground strike in an east-west orientation, trending in the direction of the Yinnietharra project boundary. BUS suggested this represents an “obvious” walk-up target for initial exploration activities.
No drilling has previously been undertaken on the BUS project tenure.
Soil sampling the next port of call
BUS has commenced a systematic, project-wide soil sampling program aimed at identifying the size and scale of potential pegmatites within the Yinnietharra tenement boundary.
The program also aims to refine additional areas or anomalism for drill testing.
BUS believe soil sampling and geochemical analysis will be a key tool to vector in on pegmatite targets, especially considering the intense weathering profile of the regolith and outcropping pegmatites in the Yinnietharra region.
Soil sampling is expected to conclude in the next fortnight, with samples to be submitted for assay and results likely due within another 6-8 weeks.
What lies beneath
To support its initial exploration efforts at Yinnietharra, BUS engaged Terra Resources to conduct a remote-sensing geophysical and spectral review of the available data from the project.
Sentinel 2 and ASTER remote-sensing products were acquired, reprocessed and interpreted to identify signatures which could represent outcropping or subcropping pegmatites within the project tenure.
“Ground-truthing” and validation of potential pegmatite targets will be carried out as part of the soil sampling program.
According to BUS, early observations indicate a number of the pegmatitic bodies are subcropping and don’t express at surface.
“Consequently, surface geochemical signatures and ultimately drill testing will be key in identifying pegmatite bodies and determining their potential to host lithium mineralisation,” the company said.
This article was developed in collaboration with Bubalus Resources, 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.