Future Battery Minerals finds more high-grade lithium in latest round of exploration at Kangaroo Hills

Future Battery Minerals’ phase 2 exploration program at its Kangaroo Hills Lithium Project (KHLP) in WA has returned high-grade lithium assays.

Results from the five Diamond Drill (DD) holes at the Big Red Prospect show a continuation of high-grade lithium from spodumene bearing pegmatites highlighted in earlier RC drilling, with results including:

23m at 1.19% Li₂O from 44m (KHDD001);
10m at 1.30% Li₂O from 25m (KHDD002); and
5.9m at 1.15% Li₂O from 0m (KHDD004).

Selective samples from the DD core have been submitted for early-stage metallurgical test work and ongoing mineralogical assessment.

New results support the Big Red discovery

These new results round of the company’s highly successful phase 1 and 2 programs where previous results highlighted the significance of the Big Red discovery:

29m at 1.36% Li₂O from 38m (KHRC011);
27m at 1.32% Li₂O from 64m (KHRC017); and
23m at 1.03% Li₂O from 53m (KHRC031).

“Wrapping up the Phase 2 drilling program, the assay results of the DD component support the significant discovery at the Big Red Prospect within the Kangaroo Hills Lithium Project,” Future Battery Minerals (ASX:FBM) Technical Director Robin Cox said.

“The diamond drilling has been invaluable at this early stage of the project, providing the team with the ability to conduct detailed geological and mineralogy logging of the spodumene pegmatite and provide samples for metallurgical test work.”

Future Battery Minerals — KHLP – Big Red Prospect Drill Holes Plan View. Pic: Supplied (FBM)

Phase 3 drilling now underway

Currently a ~5,000m phase 3 RC drilling program is underway, testing the Big Red discovery and the regional prospects at Rocky, Eastern Grey, Wallaroo and Pademelon.

Additional diamond drilling is planned to complement the RC drilling program and will commence within the next two weeks.

“As the company proceeds with drilling the Phase 3 RC program, preparations are underway to mobilise a diamond core rig to the site within the next fortnight,” Cox said.

“This rig will complement the current drilling program at the KHLP.”

The company is also awaiting approval for drilling to the north of Big Red, Western Grey and Quokka prospects which encroach on the Kangaroo Hills Timber Reserve (Timber Reserve) and require the assessment of the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for approval of a new Program of Works (POW) (drilling permits) in addition to the assessments made by the Department of Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).

The approval process is expected to take approximately three months.

Meanwhile, FBM will continue refining its targets through non ground disturbing activities such as ground geophysics including gravity and infill resistivity surveys, so that once drilling is approved, the program can test the highest priority targets immediately.

This article was developed in collaboration with Future Battery Minerals Limited, 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.