Solis Minerals (ASX:SLM) has commenced diamond drilling at its Campo Grande Lithium Project in Brazil’s Araçuaí–Salinas Lithium Valley.
The company aims to complete five drill holes for approximately 1,000m to test a prospective lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite system across a 500m corridor.
Drill targets are supported by coincident multi-element geochemical anomalies at surface — including LCT and beryllium — together with historical auger drilling results.
CEO Mitch Thomas says historical work completed by Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), combined with subsequent mapping and geochemical work by Solis, has defined “a compelling series of drill targets” across a prospective pegmatite corridor.
“The initial program will test the continuity, geometry, and lithium potential of pegmatites beneath surface, beginning in areas where mapped pegmatites coincide with LCT geochemical anomalies,” Thomas says.
The drilling program will prioritise zones of coincident multi-element geochemical anomalies, which are recognised as key indicators of highly fractionated and prospective LCT pegmatite systems.
According to Solis, Campo Grande displays geological and geochemical characteristics considered comparable to PLS Group’s (ASX:PLS) Colina Lithium Project, located approximately 100km to the southwest.
The company’s exploration team mapped a new pegmatite swarm comprising three coherent zones of pegmatite outcrop between planned drill holes DHCG-001 and DHCG-004, with planned drill hole depths of up to 200m.
Separately, Solis has completed seven drill holes at the Mandacaru Lithium Project, with assay results pending. Diamond drilling is also progressing at the Cinto Copper Project in southern Peru, where the company commenced its maiden drilling program earlier this month.
Solis Minerals is an Australian explorer focused on energy metals in South America, with lithium assets in Brazil and copper projects in Peru.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Solis Minerals
