First Lithium’s Blakala prospect looking ‘world-class’ as drilling continues to intersect significant spodumene

Drilling at First Lithium’s Blakala propect in Mali continues to intersect spodumene mineralisation
Visual observations indicate spodumene content of up to 20%
Drilling at Faraba prospect has also intersected pegmatites

Special Report: First Lithium’s Blakala prospect is looking increasingly special with all 14 diamond holes drilled to date intersecting significant spodumene mineralisation from surface.

Blakala – first discovered in the 1960s by Russian geologists – was one of two lithium prospects in Mali that were identified by CSA Global back in 2008 as being Tier 1 priority targets.

The other is Leo Lithium’s (ASX:LEO) 211Mt Goulamina project – the fifth largest in the world – that despite having its direct shipping ore operations suspended is still on track to start spodumene concentrate production in the second half of 2024.

Small wonder then that First Lithium (ASX:FL1) was so keen to launch its 6,000m drill program to delineate the extent of known spodumene bearing pegmatites at the prospect within its Gouna project.

Early successes led the company to add a second drill rig and another 2,000m to the ongoing program, though these additions are directed towards testing the Faraba prospect about 50km to the northwest, which is interpreted to have a strike length of 1.5km.

Continued pegmatite intersections

FL1 has now clocked up 14 diamond holes totalling 1,850m at Blakala and every single one of them has intersected significant spodumene mineralisation from surface while remaining open at depth.

First Lithium (ASX:FL1) — Completed diamond drilling at the Blakala prospect. Pic: Supplied (FL1).

Additionally, mineralisation at the prospect remains open along strike to the north and south while visual observations indicate that up to 20% spodumene has been intersected.

The latter is no replacement for laboratory assaying but it certainly provides a hint of just how much lithium might be present within Blakala.

Meanwhile, drilling has also been completed on the first two holes at Faraba.

These holes have identified a total of 22 pegmatite veins of more than 30 cm, with cumulative intercept thickness of 8.31m and 10.42m with sparse to moderately mineralised pegmatites identified with visual estimates of up to 10% spodumene.

A total of 287.5m has been drilled to date as part of the company’s 2,000m program at Faraba.

Drilling is likely to be accelerated with contractor Target Drilling confirming the upcoming availability of two further drill rigs that FL1 has committed to mobilising to site once they are available.

“The visual estimates confirming up to 20% spodumene along with identification of ongoing pegmatite intersections at the Blakala prospect continue to confirm the identification of a world class deposit,” managing director Venkat Padala said.

“Increasing the drilling program to 8,000m to include the tier 2 Faraba prospect has also created interest, as although the pegmatites are expected to be thinner in this region, the prospect has identified a significant strike zone with an abundance of spodumene in drilling to date.”

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.