MetalsGrove Mining (ASX:MGA) reports it has mobilised a drill rig in preparation for the inaugural reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Upper Coondina Lithium Project in Western Australia.
The company says it has formally engaged Topdrill as the drilling contractor following the completion of a heritage survey together with a program of works relating to the planned drill program at upper Coondina.
Prior to drilling, the company also states EMJC Earthmoving and Plant Hire has commenced earth works at the site to upgrade access roads, and to prepare tracks and drill pads.
The company will initially test priority drilling targets at the Chola Prospect in the southeast of the main Upper Coondina project and drilling will commence at Chola as soon as the site preparations are completed.
MetalsGrove Mining Managing Director Sean Sivasamy said the company is pleased to be moving to the inaugural drilling program at Upper Coondina just 5 months after its ASX listing.
“Through soil sampling, surface field mapping and geophysics, we have already identified multiple pegmatite swarms that are prospective for lithium pegmatites over a combined strike length of nearly 4km.
“This drilling is aimed at confirming the width, depth and mineralisation profile of these pegmatites down to 60m to 100m plus depth”
This drilling is aimed at confirming the width, depth and mineralisation profile of these pegmatites down to 60m to 100m plus depth. We are fortunate to have developed excellent working relationships with all stakeholders at Upper Coondina. These relationships have undoubtedly assisted our rapid progress with the project.”
MetalsGrove reports mobilisation of the Ultramag DGPR technology is underway in preparation for the DGPR survey that will commence this week, and it states DGPR is a proven technique for identifying additional pegmatites and establishing a more detailed understanding of subsurface mineralisation.
It also states no dedicated lithium focused exploration has been carried out within the project area, however given historical surface geochemical sampling has returned anomalous values up to 253ppm Li2O, and MetalsGrove considers that this untested magnetic anomaly warrants follow-up exploration to determine its source.
The Upper Coondina Project is located around 200km northwest of Port Hedland and 180km south-southeast of Newman in Western Australia, and comprises a single granted exploration licence.
Upper Coondina comprises a single granted exploration licence covering an area of around 6,363ha and the maximum distance across the project is about 11km east to west and 8km north to south.
Nearby lithium mines include Wodgina operated by Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN), Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and Global Lithium (ASX:GL1).
Images: MetalsGrove Mining Ltd & iStock
