International Graphite (ASX:IG6) is reporting the results of 9 reverse circular (RC) exploration holes from drilling at the Springdale Graphite project near Hopetoun, Western Australia.
The area drilled in this program has been named Springdale Far West (SDW_1), and it is located within 500m of the existing Springdale Mineral Resource.
A 7,100m RC and PQ/HQ diamond drilling program comprising an expected 91 RC drillholes (approximately 6.200m) and 12 diamond holes (approximately 900m) began in June 2022.
Commenting on the results, IG6 Executive Chairman Phil Hearse said these exploration results are exceptional and confirm the use of electromagnetic geophysical survey data to highlight the substantial graphite mineralisation potential across their Springdale tenements and the potential for significant resource growth at the project.
“We have intersected multiple shallow zones of high-grade mineralisation, which consistent with the existing resource, appears to be amenable to simple open pit mining.
“We have intersected multiple shallow zones of high-grade mineralisation, which consistent with the existing resource, appears to be amenable to simple open pit mining”
“I am looking forward to receiving the pending drilling assays and am excited by the prospect of growing the resource inventory at the project to support a long life mining operation feeding our proposed downstream processing facilities supplying battery anode materials and industrial products from Collie.
IG6 reports the drilling campaign aims to upgrade the existing Springdale Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) from inferred to indicated status and to add to the resource inventory through drilling in areas highlighted by an airborne electromagnetic (AEM) geophysical survey previously undertaken.
The drilling campaign also aims to test several high priority exploration targets within 2.5km of the main Springdale Mineral Resource.
An exploration target for Springdale has been estimated as 18-54Mt at 4-18% TGC, in addition to the existing mineral resource.
SDW_1 has been defined by a distinct conductor identified in AEM survey data, and each hole has successfully intersected multiple zones of graphite mineralisation with widths of single zones up to 11m wide.
IG6 reports this drilling confirms the use of electromagnetic geophysical survey as a highly effective exploration technique to identify and define conductive zones and is particularly suited for high resolution targeting of graphite mineralisation.
SDW_1 is the first of at least 7 high priority exploration targets within 2.5km of the main Springdale Mineral Resource that will be tested with ongoing RC drilling programs.
Results from the 9 holes of RC drilling at SDW_1 has intersected multiple zones of shallow graphite mineralisation over a strike length of 721m, and are open in all directions.
Notable results from the drilling includes 7m @ 13.3% Total Graphic Carbon (TGC) from 71m downhole, including 4m @ 19.9% TGC 73m down hole (SGRC0002).
Other results include 5m @ 12.8% TGC from 45m downhole, including 2m @ 25% TGC from 47m down hole (SGRC0004).
The last stand-out result was 10m @ 9.5% TGC from 36m downhole, including 2m @ 15% TGC from 39m down hole (SGRC0006).
Results from drilling to date demonstrate the excellent pathfinding ability of electromagnetic geophysical survey data to target additional graphite proximate to the existing Springdale Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 15.6Mt @ 6% TGC, including a ‘high-grade’ component of 2.6Mt @ 17.5% TGC.
To date 39 RC (about 2,668m) and 12 diamond holes (approximately 962m) have been completed and assay results are pending.
Assay results from further drilling at Springdale are pending and will be released when received.
International Graphite is an emerging supplier of processed graphite products, including battery anode material for the global electric vehicle and renewable energy markets.
IG6 is developing a sovereign Australian ‘mine to market’ capability, with integrated operations located entirely in Western Australia.
It intends to build on Australia’s reputation for technical excellence and outstanding ESG performance with future mining and graphite concentrate production from its 100% owned Springdale Graphite Project and commercial scale downstream processing at Collie.
IG6 is a member of the European Battery Alliance (EBA250), the European Raw Minerals Alliance (ERMA), and it is listed on Tradegate (WKN:A3DJY5) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB:H99).
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