Auroch Minerals (ASX:AOU) has intercepted pegmatite lithologies following a phase one reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Kangaroo Hill Lithium Project in Western Australia.
The company says the drilling program consisted of 14 RC drillholes for 3,440m completed and was designed to test 3 high priority lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite targets defined by surface geochemistry, as well as an intercept of 6m @ 1.38% lithium (Li2O) from 198m from drillhole NPRC084 and an outcropping pegmatite which returned grades of up to 2.37% Li2O.
Auroch Minerals notes all drillholes reached the designed depths, with depths ranging between 150-270m, and that pegmatite lithologies were identified visually in 12 out of the 14 drillholes, highlighting the success of the company’s field mapping exercise.
All pegmatite intercepts are reported to have been delivered to the laboratory for assaying, with results expected over the next 1 to 2 months.
Speaking on the completion of drilling, Auroch Minerals Technical Director Robin Cox says: “The company has now wrapped up its first drilling program at the exciting Kangaroo Hill Lithium Project in Western Australia. We are pleased with the geology, having successfully intercepted pegmatites in 12 out of the 14 holes drilled and we are now eagerly awaiting the assay results.
“We are pleased with the geology, having successfully intercepted pegmatites in 12 out of the 14 holes drilled…”
We have learnt much about the geometry of the pegmatite, however it is clear that further ground work is required to fully evaluate the potential of this project. We have commenced our geophysical review work and it is anticipated the magnetic litho-structural interpretation will assist in targeting pegmatites where there is no surface expression. The culmination of the drill hole assays, lithology and geophysical work will greatly assist the company in planning a highly targeted second phase of exploration at Kangaroo Hills.”
The company also notes prospective ultra-mafic to mafic contacts have been sent for assaying in order to evaluate the nickel sulphide potential. Auroch describes this area as ‘underexplored’ and is considered to be highly prospective for both LCT pegmatites and nickel sulphides.
Auroch adds it has moved forward with the starting of a target generative geophysical review of the greater project area with a goal of uncovering if pegmatites have fractionated to LCT pegmatites. The review is expected to commence with a detailed magnetic litho-structural interpretation of the northern half of the Nepean Nickel Project.
Moreover, reports indicate a ground-based seismic and resistivity survey will be trialled to assess the overall effectiveness in defining pegmatites below cover and at depth as part of the geophysical review.
With drilling now complete, Auroch Minerals announces geological modelling is also underway and is being utilised to understand the strike potential and geometry of the intercepted pegmatites.
Auroch Minerals is an ASX-listed exploration company focused on its portfolio of assets in Western Australia, South Australia, and the US. These projects include the Saints Nickel, Nepean Nickel, and Leinster Nickel projects in Western Australia; as well as the Bonaventura Zinc-Copper, the Torrens East Copper, and the Arden Zinc-Copper projects in South Australia.
The company’s Kangaroo Hill project is located in Western Australia and represents a joint venture (JV) with fellow exploration company Lodestar Minerals (ASX:LSR), with Auroch owning the majority 80% interest in all associated tenements and Lodestar retaining the remaining 20% interest.
Images: Auroch Minerals Ltd
