Pegmatites Intersected In All Six Targeted Zones
Essential Metals’ (ASX:ESS) expanded 5,934m Reverse Circulation (RC) drill programme has successfully intersected pegmatites in all six targeted zones within the Dome North area at the Pioneer Dome Project in Western Australia.
Two new prospects (DN6 and DN21) were drilled ~two km south-west of the Heller Deposit with thick pegmatites intersected.
Four holes were drilled into the upper zone (0-40m) of the Cade Deposit to test the lithium grade and mineral assemblage and to ascertain the degree of weathering and near surface lithium depletion.
An air-core hole drilled in June 2020 intersected 21m @ 1.79% Li2O from 4.0 (Hole PDAC386), indicating minimal lithium depletion in that area.
Managing Director, Tim Spencer, said multi-element assay results will now be used to determine if there were any ‘near-misses’ and to further understand the geological model of the Dome North area.
“This drill programme was designed to test for shallow pegmatites under cover based on a new geological and structural interpretation, and we are very encouraged that we have successfully intersected pegmatites in each of the targeted areas,” Mr Spencer said.
“We look forward to receiving the assay results, which are expected within four to six weeks, in order to fully assess the outcomes of the drilling and help guide our next steps to expand the lithium resources within the Pioneer Dome Project.”
The Pioneer Dome Project (ESS: 100%) is located in the core of Western Australia’s lithium corridor in the Eastern Goldfields, approximately 130km south of Kalgoorlie and 275km north of the Port of Esperance.
A lithium Mineral Resource of 11.2Mt @ 1.21% Li2O has been defined at Dome North in the northern part of the Project area.
The southern Yilgarn area is recognised as being well endowed with spodumene deposits, including the Bald Hill Mine, the Mt Marion Mine and the Buldania Project. The world-class Earl Grey deposit and the Mt Cattlin Mine are located further west and south of Pioneer Dome, respectively.
The main objectives of the drilling programme were to:
- Explore for further spodumene-bearing pegmatites in areas under cover in the vicinity of the Dome North Mineral Resource;
- Test two partially-exposed pegmatite targets (DN6 and DN21) approximately 2km south-west of the Heller Deposit; and
- Test the upper zones of the Cade and Davy deposits to ascertain the extent of lithium mineralisation and the effects of weathering on the lithium distribution.
For further information please visit: https://www.essmetals.com.au/
