Three high-priority lithium targets were tested by an RC drill program, with assay results confirming areas of fractionation. Pic via Getty Images
Maiden drilling at New Age Exploration’s Quartz Hill shows the way to lithium treasures
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- Assay results from RC Drilling at the Quartz Hill project have confirmed lithium anomalism at depth
- NAE is targeting LCT Pegmatites similar to other Central Pilbara spodumene-rich deposits of Wodgina, Pilgangoora and Andover
- A total of 21 shallow RC Drill holes were completed for a total of 693 metres
Special Report: Reverse circulation drilling at three targets within New Age Exploration’s Quartz Hill project has indicated the fractionation of lithium, a sign that mineralisation might exist undercover.
New Age Exploration (ASX:NAE) is chasing big lithium targets below cover at the Quartz Hill project in WA’s Central Pilbara region.
Several of these target areas lie on the margins of the Mungarinya Monzogranite within the surrounding Cheearra Monzogranite and boast lithium concentrations more than 100ppm.
Given the tenor of the anomalies, shallow cover and their geological setting, further investigation is clearly warranted.
‘Elevated lithium’
A program of RC drilling was carried out in November last year to test high priority lithium-caesium-tantalum targets at Quartz Hill and initiate shallow drilling operations at key sites accessible to NAE.
These sites were identified as high-priority due to indications of lithium in surface soil samples collected and analysed using the UltraFine+ (UFF) method as part of a CSIRO project.
The drilling program has shown elevated lithium results in intervals of drill holes.
While drill assay results have not seen a significant increase in lithium grades above those recorded at surface, an analysis of elements show indications that the underlying monzogranite is fertile, with fractionation of lithium increasing in some zones.
Exploration to delve further into fractionation of intrusion
“Results from this initial phase of drilling showed that the granites in the area are fertile with elevated levels of lithium, which supports the anomalies located in soils,” NAE executive director Joshua Wellisch says.
“We will now focus our efforts on understanding the locations of further fractionation of the intrusion with the aim of discovering LCT pegmatites undercover”.
What’s coming up?
NAE has undertaken additional soil sampling at Quartz Hill which is being analysed with UltraFines.
Analysis of the results should lead to more lithium targets which will require field investigation.
Additional work is planned to review the UltraFines results for gold and associated pathfinder elements.
This article was developed in collaboration with New Age Exploration, 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.
