Spodumene crystals have been observed in RC drilling at New Dawn. Pic: via Getty Images.
Torque Metals observes ‘abundant’ spodumene crystals at New Dawn lithium project
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- Torque’s RC drilling intersects vertically stacked pegmatites across its New Dawn lithium project
- Intersected pegmatites visually observed to host spodumene crystals similar to those seen in diamond drilling
- RC drilling samples are currently being assessed
Special Report: Torque Metals has followed up on high-grade lithium assays from diamond drilling at its New Dawn project in WA’s Goldfields region with the observation of abundant spodumene in RC drilling.
Inaugural diamond and reverse circulation drilling at the project had got off to a great start after assays from the initial diamond holes returned intercepts of up to 3.92m grading 1.52% Li2O.
The result built Torque Metals’ (ASX:TOR) confidence that a significant lithium-tantalum deposit is present at New Dawn, just 600m from globally significant Bald Hill mining operation.
Early exploration by the company has provided tantalising hints of the project’s potential with rock chip samples returning assays of up to 6% Li2O.
The drill-proven pegmatites at New Dawn were quickly interpreted to be a westerly continuation of those mined at Bald Hill, which led to the launch of the drill program to extend multiple vertically stacked pegmatites.
Abundant mineralisation
RC drilling has now indicated that spodumene mineralisation is abundant across the project.
The RC holes consistently encountered vertically stacked pegmatites with spodumene crystals visually discernible under UV light that are similar to those in diamond drilling that returned high-grade assays.
While this is no replacement for laboratory analysis, which will provide an accurate picture of what is present, the visual observations nonetheless provide TOR with a strong hint that the results of the diamond drilling will soon have some real company.
Samples from the RC drilling are currently being assayed at Bureau Veritas with results expected before the end of December.
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.
