Torque Metals could have found an extension of the pegmatites to the nearby Bald lithium mine. Pic via Getty Images.
New Dawn: Has Torque Metals found another Bald Hill lithium mine?
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- Maiden drilling shows up to 3.99% Li2O from 21 RC and diamond holes
- Stacked pegmatites a signature of the adjacent Bald Hill mine
- More than 90% of the tenements yet to be explored
Special Report: Maiden drilling at Torque Metals’ New Dawn lithium project in WA’s Goldfields has confirmed the presence of spodumene-bearing pegmatites with a peak grade of 3.99% Li2O.
Torque Metals’ (ASX:TOR) New Dawn project consists of two mining licenses which were historically looked at for tantalum – and ultimately delivered a resource of 1.04Mt @ 160ppm Ta2O5 down to 30m below surface – but remains unexplored for lithium.
With the Bald Hill lithium mine just 600m away to the east, it’s no wonder TOR considers New Dawn ripe for lithium as a pathfinder element associated with lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.
In August, exploration showed rock chip samples of up to 6% Li2O and spurred the explorer to get out the drill bit to start proving up a potential lithium resource.
Then, late last month, two diamond holes showed intercepts of up to 3.92m @ 1.52% Li2O from 222.73m.
Lithium hits across multiple holes
A 21-hole maiden drill program that included 19 RC and two diamond holes has now been completed and all assays are back from the lab, showing peak lithium hits of up to a whopping 3.99% – for perspective, any grades >1% Li2O are considered economically viable.
The best assay result was recorded in hole 23NDRC016 which intersected 35 cumulative metres of highly mineralised pegmatites, interpreted to continue up-dip to the west within New Dawn tenements.
Mineralised intervals remain open in all directions, showing:
- 10m @ 1.51% Li2O, from 51m including 1m @ 3.99% Li2O from 52m
- 15m @ 1.17% Li2O, from 220m including 7m @ 2.12% Li2O, from 221m
- 10m @ 1.15% Li2O, from 265m including 6m @ 1.76% Li2O, from 267m
Geological modelling from these results show shallow intersections of thick and continuous pegmatite lodes and remain open both north and south, following a north-west trend from the adjacent Bald Hill.
“A highlight of our exploration endeavours is encapsulated in drill hole 23NDRC0016, intersecting vertically stacked pegmatites, hosting spodumene (as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy),” TOR MD Cristian Moreno says.
“This repetition of several stacked pegmatites is a signature of the nearby operating Bald Hill mine.
“The presence of stacked pegmatites enhances the geological diversity of New Dawn and instils confidence regarding its potential scale.
“Beyond its geological attraction, New Dawn boasts proximity to infrastructure, sharing a thoroughfare with major gold, nickel and lithium producers optimising logistical aspects and its mining licences expediting a pathway to production.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Torque 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.
