Drilling at AVZ Minerals’ Manono lithium project in the Congo is “building nicely” ahead of maiden resource numbers due next month.

AVZ boss Klaus Eckhof said assay (or lab test) results “again confirm the consistency of the Roche Dure pegmatite which continues to be defined through diamond drilling with excellent recoveries”.

Roche Dure is one of the two biggest pegmatites at the site. Pegmatites are rocks formed from lava or magma that are the primary source of lithium.

In September Mr Eckhof said the Manono site was “the longest pegmatite intercept ever reported” to his knowledge.

“The drilling data set is now building nicely and will be forwarded to the independent consultants in June allowing a maiden resources calculation to be completed in July,” Mr Eckhof told investors on Monday.

The latest results included 284m at 1.5 per cent lithium oxide.

Drilling is to continue this month ahead of a resource to be completed in July.