Initial drilling at Prospect’s Step Aside project in Zimbabwe has delivered the goods with multiple intersections of high-grade lithium mineralisation.

Notable results returned from the 30 hole (17 reverse circulation and 13 diamond holes) program to date include 7.4m grading 1.28% Li2O from a down-hole depth of 43.6m (CDD013), 6.1m at 1.49% Li2O from 82.2m (CDD011) and 9m at 1.02% Li2O from 38m (CRC011B).

Drilling had returned robust intersections from three of the five targeted visible pegmatite outcrops, while XRD analytical results confirm intersected mineralisation is predominantly spodumene.

Prospect Resources (ASX: PSC) noted that the largest of these ore bodies located to date, Pegmatite D, is interpreted to strike over at least 120m and is open to the south and down dip.

Managing Director Sam Hosack said the company was very pleased with the results of the initial drilling, which returned robust intercepts of strong lithium tenor at relatively shallow depths, in multiple places.

“This is strongly encouraging and demands further, prompt testing,” he added.

“While still early-stage, our objective at Step Aside is the rapid delineation of a maiden JORC Mineral Resource estimate. Our experienced in-country exploration team is focussed on quickly advancing Step Aside towards this aim, with further drilling to be progressed over the coming months.

“Planning for this follow-up program is already well advanced and it is targeted to commence in the first Quarter of 2023.”

Step Aside project and drilling

The 100 hectare Step Aside project is located within the Archaean Harare Greenstone Belt about 35km east of the capital Harare and 8km north of the Arcadia lithium project which the company sold to Huayou Cobalt earlier this year for US$422m in cash.

It consists of a folded sequence of meta-sediments of the Gwebi and Mapfeni Members, of the Passford Formation, which are intruded by north trending pegmatites, dolerites and quartz veins of the Mashonaland Suite.

Six visible mineralised pegmatites have been identified to date which are generally parallel to each other.

Of these, Pegmatite D – targeted by four RC and 10 diamond holes – has been of particular interest with all holes that reached their target depth intersecting lithium mineralisation.

This remains open along strike to the south.

If drilling at Arcadia is any indication, several parallel narrow pegmatites can coalesce into thicker pegmatites down dip, indicating the potential that parallel pegmatites outcropping at Step Aside could join to form a more comprehensive, lithium mineralised pegmatite system at depth.

Prospect’s drilling to date has covered less than 10% of the Step Aside project claim area, meaning that there is plenty of ground available for additional lithium discoveries.

Future drilling

The company is currently in advanced planning for a follow-up drill program that is targeted to commence in the first quarter of 2023.

It will include further drilling along strike to the south and at depth at Pegmatite D.

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Prospect 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.

 

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