Bulletin Resources Limited (ASX:BNR) has identified spodumene mineralisation at three locations on the Eastern Pegmatite Trend through recent mapping and rock-chip assay results on its Ravensthorpe Lithium project in Western Australia.
The project is located only 12km southwest and along strike of Allkem Limited’s Mt Cattlin Lithium Mine.
On-ground mapping has identified outcropping, subcropping and lag spodumene at Big pegmatite. This is the first indication that the core of Big pegmatite contains spodumene and provides strong evidence for lithium prospectivity of the Big pegmatite and the broader Eastern Pegmatite Trend.
The prospectivity of the Eastern Pegmatite Trend is further supported by known spodumene outcrops approximately 2.5km to the north at Deep Purple pegmatite and Creek pegmatite.
Mapping of the flat-lying to gently undulating Big pegmatite has substantially increased the outcrop and subcrop size to approximately 700m x 500m, a tenfold increase from the previously reported size.
Another large and flat-lying outcropping pegmatite swarm has also been mapped 700m further south of Big pegmatite.
Chairman, Paul Poli, said the significant size of these pegmatites is very important as it provides potential for economic scale operations should drilling confirm sufficient thickness and lithium grades. This is even more significant when considering the very close location to AKE’s Mt Cattlin Lithium Mine.
Mr Poli said recent work at the Ravensthorpe Lithium project has noted the following which provides strong encouragement for lithium enrichment within the pegmatite bodies of the Eastern Pegmatite Trend as indicated by:
· the presence of spodumene outcrop and float at Big pegmatite
· the presence of outcropping spodumene bearing pegmatites 2.5km to the north along trend at Deep Purple and Creek pegmatites
· indications of pegmatite fractionation such as coarse mica and tourmaline in pegmatite wall zones
· low ratios of K:Rb, K:Cs and Ba:Rb in rock-chip sampling of mica and microcline in the wall zone of the flatter-lying pegmatites indicating fractionation within the pegmatites.
Mapping has also extended the Eastern Pegmatite Trend to at least 4km in length and the potential for additional outcropping LCT pegmatites remains open to the north.
Further Work
The recent mapping campaign has resulted in the discovery of new LCT pegmatite outcrops, raising the prospectivity of this underexplored area.
Bulletin will continue the mapping and sampling program while environmental studies, including seasonal flora and fauna surveys required for clearing permits progress.
For further information please visit: https://www.bulletinresources.com/
