Aruma Resources Limited (ASX: AAJ) has announced plans for the maiden drilling program at its 100%-owned Mt Deans Lithium Project in Western Australia. The company said that the drilling is planned to commence in the June quarter.
AAJ noted that the limited rock chip sampling program conducted at Mt Deans had delivered exceptionally high lithium, and tantalum results including Lithium oxide (Li2O) grades up to 2.1%; and Tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) up to 556 ppm.
Highly prospective Mt Deans project
Mt Deans project is located in Western Australia’s ‘lithium corridor’ in the Eastern Goldfields Terrane of the Yilgarn Craton and is highly prospective for lithium minerals, tantalum and rare earth elements.
The project is interpreted to have similar geology as the significant nearby Mt Marion, Bald Hill, and Buldania Lithium Projects.
Previous work at the project area from 2002, undertaken by Tantalum Australia Ops Pty Ltd had identified swarm pegmatites within the lease over a 1.5km strike length.
The Mt Deans area has a swarm of 71 recognised pegmatites covering 4.5 by 1.5 kilometres trending north north-west. The pegmatites range from 500 to 2,000 metres in length and 0.3-7.5 metres thick, with a few 20 metres thick.
High-grade results from rock chip sampling program
The company had conducted a limited rock chip sampling program at Mt Deans project. AAJ said that the program delivered exceptionally high lithium and tantalum results, with lithium (lithium oxide – Li2O) grades of up to 2.1% and tantalum (tantalum pentoxide – Ta2O5) of up to 556ppm in sample AR003.
The company noted that these compare favourably with similar deposits. AAJ said that strongly anomalous rare earth results were also reported from the rock chip sampling program.
Drilling planned at Mt Deans
The company has now announced the plans for its maiden drilling program at the Mt Deans project. AAJ said that the drilling is targeted at an interpreted “Cauldron” type anomaly which is at the confluence of the east and west dipping pegmatite limbs.
Aruma said that it plans to investigate the potential for the Project to host direct shipping lithium ores, given its location adjacent to the Coolgardie- Esperance Highway and rail infrastructure which provides direct access to the Port of Esperance rail hub – and the potential for transport and infrastructure advantages.
Phase 1 drilling in June
Aruma announced that it plans to undertake the first phase of drilling at the Mt Deans Project in the June quarter 2021.
AAJ said that its first phase of drilling at Mt Deans will target the junction of known pegmatites within the Project area as the possible cauldron target. The drilling is designed to test for spodumene and other lithium minerals, plus tantalum, tin, and rare earth minerals.
12 RC holes planned
The company said that it plans to drill an initial 12 RC holes in the first phase of drilling at the Mt Deans Project, to a maximum hole depth of 200 metres and with drill holes spaced approximately 120 metres apart, to intersect the possible cauldron or pegmatite chamber.
POW submitted; CMP approved
The company said that in preparation for drilling, it has submitted a Program of Works (PoW) with the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMRIS) for the initial 12-hole RC (Reverse Circulation) drilling program. AAJ said that the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been submitted and approved.
AAJ noted that site access to the drill targets already exists on old tracks, and drilling will commence upon approval of the PoW.
Management statements
Aruma managing director Peter Schwann said: “Aruma is of the view that the previous lithium results plus the high-grade tantalum and rare earth elements results, together with the infrastructure advantages afforded by the Project’s location make Mt Deans a highly exciting lithium exploration opportunity.
We look forward to commencing our first pass drilling program at the Project as soon as the PoW is granted.”
*Image Source: Aruma Resources Limited