iTech Minerals (ASX:ITM) has completed its objective of obtaining sufficient samples over the full extent of mineralisation after a drill program was conducted at the Sugarloaf Graphite prospect in South Australia.
As a result, the company is beginning metallurgical testwork on producing a concentrate precursor to battery anode material.
The company reports a 17-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program was conducted to test the southern extent of a 4.5km electromagnetic anomaly at the prospect.
Additionally, iTech states drilling demonstrates thick, ‘high-grade’ mineralisation from surface to over 100m depth and extends the strike of drilled mineralisation from 2km to over 4.3km.
‘Significant’ results of the drill program includes drillhole SLR23-017 with 27m @ 7.7% total graphitic carbon (TGC) from 8m and 13m @ 26.1% TGC from 73m; and drillhole SLRC23-010 with 13m @ 17.2% TGC from 42m.
“…a strike rate of 15 out of 17 drillholes hitting significant mineralisation, over 2.3km, is a significant indicator for the scale potential of the project…”
iTech Minerals Managing Director, Mike Schwarz says: “Considering the southern half of the 4.3km long exploration target had never been drill tested for graphite, a strike rate of 15 out of 17 drillholes hitting significant mineralisation, over 2.3km, is a significant indicator for the scale potential of the project and will allow metallurgical testwork to get underway.”
The company also states that since assays have been received, representative samples are being collated on site and will be dispatched to the laboratory for metallurgical testwork to be completed.
iTech Minerals is an ASX-listed mineral exploration company, exploring for and developing battery materials and critical minerals within its wholly owned projects. The company is focused on developing its advanced Campoona Graphite Project in South Australia, along with exploring its nearby Eyre Peninsula Kaolin – REE Project.
Images: iTech Minerals Ltd
