• First Lithium to start drilling at the Blakala prospect – a potential geological mirror of the giant Goulamina pegmatite
  • Blakala and Goulamina were the only Tier 1 priority targets in Mali ranked by CSA Global in 2008
  • Two diamond drill rigs mobilised for 6,000m drill program to delineate the extent of known spodumene bearing pegmatites

 

First Lithium is all set to commence drilling to delineate the extent of known spodumene-bearing pegmatites at the priority 1 Blakala prospect within its Gouna permit in Mali.

The company’s Faraba and Gouna permits are surrounded by world class lithium projects, including Leo Lithium’s Goulamina joint venture project with Ganfeng Lithium Group and Kodal’s ~24Mt Bougouni project.

Additionally, both permits are located within the same spodumene pegmatite as the advanced Goulamina development, which is one of the world’s largest spodumene projects with a 211Mt resource grading 1.37% Li2O.

The Blakala prospect was first identified as having lithium bearing spodumene in the 1960s by Russian geologists.

A subsequent report by CSA global in 2008 expanded upon this early work and ranked the known pegmatites in Mali in order of their prospectivity.

Importantly for First Lithium (ASX:FL1), this report highlighted just two Tier 1 priority targets, Goulamina – which has been proven by Leo Lithium – and Blakala.

Blakala has not being drilled despite being a potential geological mirror of Goulamina.

However, historical and recent trenching has demonstrated considerable spodumene concentrations and significant thickness to the pegmatites, with results to be reported within a week.

First Lithium (ASX:FL1)
Location of the Faraba and Gouna permits. Pic: Supplied (FL1).

 

‘Aggressive’ drilling to start soon

First Lithium has now mobilised two diamond drilling rigs to the site with an aggressive 6,000m drill program to start soon.

This drilling to depths of up to 300m seeks to delineate the extent of known spodumene bearing pegmatites by testing significant surface expressions.

Assays from the first round of drilling are expected within six to eight weeks following which a decision could be made to mobilise additional rigs.

FL1 managing director Venkat Padala told Stockhead: “The drilling program is something FL1 has been working towards for sometime. Now the company has listed on the ASX the intention is to advance the project as quickly as is possible. The Blakala tier 1 priority target is of great interest.”

“The major shareholders of FL1 all share the same vision of the prospects and aim to determine the extent of the Blakala target with its proximity to the Goulamina joint venture project,” he concluded.

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with First Lithium, 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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