Burley Minerals restarts drilling at its Canadian lithium project

Following the lifting of fire-related machinery restrictions in the Val-d’Or region, Burley Minerals has recommenced diamond-core drilling at its Chubb Lithium Project in Canada.

The company’s drilling program commenced in April 2023, and 14 holes for 2,789m were completed at the Chubb Central Main Dyke prior to nearby wildfires and the implementation of machinery operation bans.

So far, only some parts of Quebec have reopened but because of the project’s location in the south, the company is one of the first to get back on the ground and drilling – giving them a notable head start over their peers.

Plus, having road access and being close to town makes it easier too, compared to all the remote lithium projects in Canada requiring helicopters – which are currently all in use for fire fighting.

Assay results from the first 7 of the 14 completed drill holes to date have confirmed the strong continuity of spodumene mineralisation with significant lithium grades in pegmatite up to 1.93% Li2O.

The restarted program will continue to test for extensions along strike and at depth at the Chubb project, Central Main Dyke and will also test for spodumene in mapped parallel pegmatite dykes which have minimal historical drilling.

The program will be funded by Burley Minerals’ (ASX:BUR) recent C$3m capital raising.

Progressing a highly prospective project

The Chubb Lithium Project is smack bang in the heart of the world-class lithium province of Québec, Canada and is only 10km from Canada’s only operating lithium mine, the North America Lithium Operation (NAL).

The NAL is owned by Sayona Mining (ASX:SYA) and Piedmont Lithium Inc, with Mineral Resources of 58Mt at 1.23% Li2O reported.

Plus, there’s several emerging projects in the region, including the Authier Lithium Project, with resources of 17Mt at 1.01% Li2O reported.

“Burley had made significant progress prior to the emplacement of the bans at Chubb Central with very encouraging drill results extending the known lithium mineralisation,” Burley MD and CEO Stewart McCallion said.

“The new drilling intersections continue to build on high-grade spodumene zones identified in mapping and drilling undertaken in 2021 and 2022.

“We are excited as the team successfully continues to progress this highly prospective project having only completed the acquisition of the Chubb Lithium Project in February this year.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Burley 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.