Zenith Minerals (ASX:ZNC) reports the presence of a thick lithium pegmatite following follow-up reverse circulation (RC) drilling activities at its joint venture (JV) Split Rocks Project in Western Australia.
The results, generated by 22 RC drillholes (ZVRC029 to ZVRC050) in addition to the initial discovery drill section of four drillholes (ZVRC001 to ZVRC004), have outlined a >1200 x >600m lithium pegmatite that remains open to the north, south, east and at depth.
‘Significant’ results include:
- Hole ZVRC032: 24m @ 0.7% Li2O, incl. 3m @ 2.7% Li2O and;1m @ 1.5% Li2O within a broader interval of 104m @ 0.3% Li2O to end of hole
- Hole ZVRC037: 25m @ 0.7% Li2O, incl. 5m @ 1.1% Li2O and; 3m @ 1.1% Li2O and; 2m @ 1.2% Li2O within a broader interval of 116m @ 0.3% Li2O
- Hole ZVRC040: 12m @ 0.6% Li2O, incl. 4m @ 1.2% Li2O within a broader interval of 88m @ 0.3% Li2O to end of hole
- Hole ZVRC043: 7m @ 1.3% Li2O within a broader interval of 56m @ 0.3% Li2O to end of hole
- Hole ZVRC044: 10m @ 1.0% Li2O within a broader interval of 62m @ 0.3% Li2O
Commenting on the results, Zenith’s Managing Director, Michael Clifford, said: “I am delighted to report on lithium exploration success at the Split Rocks project. New results from an initial 22 holes, that are part of an ongoing follow-up drill campaign, confirms we are onto a very significant lithium mineralised pegmatite.
“New results from an initial 22 holes … confirms we are onto a very significant lithium mineralised pegmatite”
RC drilling over the past 6 weeks has been slower than planned, impacted by frequent high-rainfall events which necessitated moving the rig away from the clear runway of greater than 160 permitted holes ahead of us. The RC rig will focus on 400m spaced step-out sections, working our way south, whilst a diamond drill rig explores the eastern and depth extents of the system.”
The company also notes that following this discovery, ongoing exploration will be accelerated with the addition of a diamond drill rig, which will commence with a goal of testing the full thickness of the lithium pegmatite target zone.
Zenith has also received permits for an additional 84 RC drillholes, as well as 84 diamond (DD) drillholes, at Rio, with their JV partner EV Metals (ASX:EVM) approving the budget for a further 60 RC and 10 DD holes aimed at defining the size of the Rio pegmatite system.
The Split Rocks Project is located about 40km south of the regional town of Marvel Loch in WA’s Goldfields region and comprises a total land holding of 660km-square. The project is being explored as part of the Zenith Lithium JV with EV Metals Group (ASX:EVM) and is situated immediately north of the Mt Holland Lithium Project, which currently boasts a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 189Mt @ 1.5% Li2O and is being developed by Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) and SQM as a JV project.
With exploration activities still ongoing across the Split Rocks tenement area, Zenith announces that a third drill rig will shortly commence drilling at its other lithium projects of Waratah Well and Mt Ida North.
Images: Zenith Minerals Ltd
