• Maximus begins soil sampling program to define potential lithium-bearing pegmatites at its Lefroy project in WA
  • Geological mapping has revealed an extensive number of stacked pegmatites, which are shallow dipping towards the southeast
  • Final approvals have also been received for a ~3,000m RC drill program, expected to begin early November

 

A tenement-wide soil sampling program is underway to define lithium-bearing pegmatites, hidden under shallow cover, at the Lefroy lithium project in WA’s Eastern Goldfields with drilling will follow.

Maximus’s (ASX:MXR) early-stage Lefroy lithium project is one of a handful of projects within the famous ‘lithium corridor’ that stretches between Mt Marion to the north and Essential Metals’ (ASX:ESS) Pioneer Dome project to the south.

The area has attracted much investor attention in recent times given the aggressive corporate activity demonstrated by the likes of Mineral Resources’ (ASX:MIN) rich lister boss Chris Ellison and mining magnate Gina Rinehart.

Lefroy is home to a large area of shallow dipping stacked pegmatites, which MXR believes to be similar to the geological setting exhibited at Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) Mt Marion mine, 20km away.

 

Maximus Resources ASX MXR
Regional geological map. Pic via Maximus Resources

 

According to the explorer, the LCT pegmatites discovered at Lefroy show a preference for a greenstone host sequence and potentially shared link with major geological structures and granitoid domes.

 

Final drilling approvals in the bag; soil sampling commences

Maximus recently entered into a farm-in JV with Korean Government Agency, KOMIR, to fund $4.8m of lithium exploration across MXR’s ground to earn a 30% interest.

On execution of the KOMIR agreements, Maximus has begun an initial exploration program involving a combination of a tenement-wide soil sampling programme and initial scout reverse circulation (RC) drilling.

The main objective is focused on Lefroy’s out-cropping pegmatites and an extensive 2x1km lithium soil anomaly.

Lefroy pegmatites have yielded high lithium values in rock chip samples, ranging from 1.74-4.97% Li2O in 2022.

They are also ‘fertile at depth’ with legacy drilling intersecting 2m at 0.6% Li2O from 22m within a 7m wide pegmatite zone.

An initial 30-hole, 3,000m RC drilling program (set to begin in November) has received final approvals and will centre around the known shallow dipping pegmatites and wider-spaced drilling targeting the extensive soil anomaly.

 

‘Right rocks, right location, right team’ 

“Our aim is to detect potential lithium-bearing pegmatites undercover, building a pipeline of additional lithium drill targets,” MXR managing director Tim Wither says.

“The upcoming drill program will initially target an extensive area of shallow-dipping outcropping pegmatites, which are demonstrated to be fertile with strong (potassium/rubidium) fraction, surrounded by an extensive lithium halo.

“With the right rocks, in the right location, and the right team advancing the project, Lefroy has all the ingredients for a significant lithium discovery.”

 

Exploration drilling grant

Maximus has also been awarded a co-funded drilling grant of up to $125,000 from the Western Australian Government Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) for the diamond drilling at the Lefroy area.

The Exploration Incentive Scheme is a highly competitive process and is an endorsement of the company’s technical approach to gain further geological understanding of the known pegmatite field at Lefroy.

It is expected that the diamond drill targeting will be updated following the completion of the initial ~3,000m RC drill program.

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Maximus Resources, 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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