Riversgold has doubled its drilling order after hitting significant spodumene and lepidolite lithium mineralisation in initial holes at Tombourah. Pic via Getty Images.
Mining
Riversgold is expanding the scale of maiden drilling at its Tambourah project after initial holes intersected a significant spodumene and lepidolite lithium mineralisation system.
Mineral zonation in the intersected lithium-rich pegmatites had confirmed the presence of an extensive lithium pegmatite system, which is in line with the exploration targeting model applied by the company to the project in WA’s Pilbara region.
While assays are still pending, the intersection of a 13m thick pegmatite under a small outcrop confirms Riversgold’s (ASX:RGL) interpretation of a substantial mineralised system developing at depth as well as the suitability of deep ground penetrating radar (DGPR) as a targeting tool which can accurately predict the thickening of pegmatites at depth.
The company now plans to increase its reverse circulation program up from 2,500m to 5,000m, which is no surprise given that it had previously noted that the most prospective targets have yet to be drilled.
“Now that we have validated our modelling that the lithium mineralised pegmatites contain spodumene, as announced last week, we intend to drill well into December and will aim to double our RC drilling to 5,000m,” chief executive officer Julian Ford said.
“We aim to drill as many of the 40 mapped and interpreted pegmatites as possible before year end.
“The information gained from this expanded program will provide valuable targeting information for when our 2023 drilling starts.”
Tambourah is the company’s most advanced lithium project where mapping and DPGR had defined nearly 3km of lithium-rich pegmatites at the Bengal, Lion and Ragdoll prospects.
Notably, the project is located 76km from the Pilgangoora Lithium Mine within the same greenstone belt within the prospective Pilbara Lithium province.
The drill program of 21 holes totalling about 2,500m was designed to test a number of exploration models and targets at Bengal, where narrow surface lepidolite had been mapped.
Riversgold’s expanded drill program will also test targets within the Lion and Ragdoll prospects where substantially wider subsurface targets have been identified from mapping and with DGPR.
This article was developed in collaboration with Riversgold, 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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