Wildcat Resources (ASX:WC8) has reported maiden metallurgical test work from its Bolt Cutter Central lithium discovery, demonstrating spodumene recovery using industry-standard techniques.
Testing achieved an average recovery of 82.5% with an average product grade of 5.66% lithium oxide (Li₂O) across three composite samples. The test work utilised the same whole-of-ore flotation method intended for use at Wildcat’s nearby Tabba Tabba Project.
Bolt Cutter Central sits 10km west of Tabba Tabba in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The mineralised area extends more than 2.3km to the northwest and up to 800m to the northeast.
Managing Director AJ Saverimutto says the metallurgical results exceeded expectations given no project-specific optimisation has commenced.
“The high-quality product grades generated, coupled with the initial recovery performance from the Bolt Cutter Central composites relative to the defined Tabba Tabba process pathway is highly encouraging,” Saverimutto says.
The test work examined three composite samples collected from diamond drilling across the discovery footprint. Each composite was processed using the established Tabba Tabba flowsheet of milling, magnetic separation, desliming and flotation.
Individual composite performance varied, with BCM002 delivering the strongest results at 87.1% recovery for a 5.94% Li₂O concentrate grade. BCM001 achieved 79.3% recovery at 5.84% grade, while BCM003 returned 81.1% recovery at 5.21% grade.
Semi-quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis identified spodumene as the only lithium-bearing mineral present in the composite samples. Petalite had previously been identified during geological logging but was not detected in these composites.
Recent drilling has expanded the mineralised footprint and returned multiple lithium intersections. Notable results include 7.1m @ 1.30% Li₂O from 20.8m and 4.3m @ 1.40% Li₂O from 29.9m in hole BCDD007.
Diamond drilling at the Hermione trend extended mineralisation to the south through multiple stacked pegmatites. Hole BCRC071 intersected 7m @ 1.1% Li₂O from 7m, with twin diamond hole BCDD018 confirming the results at 7.7m @ 1.1% Li₂O from 7.4m.
Limited drilling within tenement E45/5416 returned a ‘low-grade’ intercept that indicates the Bolt Cutter Central system extends a further 1,200m east of the current known footprint.
Resource reverse circulation drilling is complete and resource modelling is underway. A mineral resource estimate is scheduled for the September quarter.
Wildcat reported a cash balance of $43.3 million at 31 March 2026.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Wildcat Resources
