Big numbers are coming out of drilling results at Root Bay ahead of a resource update. Pic via Getty Images.
Green Technology Metals is digging deeper at its 8.1Mt Root Bay lithium deposit, but that’s just the start
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- First two extension holes at 8.1Mt Root Bay show up consistent high-grade mineralisation >300m below current drill depths
- Extensions open up both open pit and underground mining potential
- Another 50 assays from infill drilling return thick hits grading up to 1.81% Li2O
- An updated resource is expected within weeks
Extensional drilling at Green Technology Metals’ Root Bay deposit has cut into high-grade pegmatites to at least 300m below current drill depths, giving the company a robust exploration target for potential open pit and underground mining.
The 12.6Mt and-quickly-growing Root Bay project is part of an integrated lithium business plan which also includes Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) nearby Seymour Lake lithium project, two concentrator developments and a lithium conversion facility.
Root Bay includes two deposits: McCombe (4.5Mt at 1.01%) and Root Bay itself (8.1Mt 1.32%), where 21km of infill and 8.5km of extensional drilling is expected to culminate in an updated resource in the next few weeks.
Resource update progress
An extensive, two-phase field exploration program is still ongoing, with diamond drills currently spinning to upgrade the confidence of the 8.1Mt @ 1.32% Li2O Root Bay deposit resource.
Phase 1 which is now complete, comprised of a 20,939m, 119-hole infill drill program to upgrade parts of the maiden resource from inferred to indicated and measured.
Phase 2 which is due to be completed in November, is an 8,440m, 46-hole east-west extensional drill program to increase the size of the resource.
Proving up ‘multiple stacked pegmatites’
To date, exploration at Root Bay has revealed multiple stacked pegmatites at both McCombe and Root Bay.
Assays from another 50 infill drill holes at Root Bay have confirmed the consistent high grade nature of the orebody, and include a highlight 21m @ 1.32% Li2O from 220m.
Meanwhile ongoing extensional drilling is hitting high grade lithium – like 11.1m @ 1.18% Li2O from 440.6m and 18.4m @ 1.53% Li2O from 580.1m – which is at least 300m downdip from current drill depth extents.
Just outside the main exploration area, field work aims to identify new targets and focus on a 2km stretch immediately east and west along the ridge from current drilling where the trend remains open.
GT1 says it’s categorised as “highly prospective, as the geological trend can be traced over the entire length of the tenement through the highly magnetic BIF unit that runs along the northern boundary of the deposit”.
“We’re excited about the preliminary results from the down dip extension at the Root Bay deposit, showcasing the presence of thick, high-grade pegmatites extending more than 300 meters below the current drilling depths with open pit and underground potential,” GT1 CEO Luke Cox says.
“With the infill drill program results received, we’re expediting the process to update the MRE for Root Bay.
“The release of this updated MRE is anticipated in the coming weeks, which has the capability to expand the resource and convert parts of it from inferred to indicated resource category.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Green Technology Metals, 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.
