Novo Resources Corp. (TSX: NVO) has obtained significant lithium assay results from reconnaissance mapping and sampling of the Kurrana Pegmatite Swarm in the Nullagine District of Western Australia. Results are not necessarily representative of mineralisation across the district.
The Kurrana Pegmatite Swarm is a 16 km trend hosting LCT pegmatites some two km to five km north of the Kurrana Granitic Complex (comprising 3.38 – 3.18 Ga Golden Eagle Orthogneiss and a monzogranite of the 2.89 – 2.83 Ga Bonney Downs Granite) along the contact with the Mosquito Creek Basin.
Significant Li-Ta potential has been identified along this trend within the Kurrana Pegmatite Swarm, with recently completed reconnaissance exploration programmes defining over 200 pegmatites with numerous geometries and various sizes, some with up to 40% lepidolite.
Historical Exploration
The Quartz Hill project was acquired from the Creasy Group in 20201 and is located south of Novo’s Nullagine gold project. Early exploration programs completed by the Creasy Group on Li-Ta prospectivity identified two zones of anomalism in soil sampling and stream sediment sampling across an approx. 16 km trend.
Peak rock chip results returned high grades in lepidolite rich samples including 3.36% Li2O, 22 ppm Ta2O5 and 1.14% Li2O, 916.8 ppm Ta2O5.
The western sector of the coincident Li – Ta trend was tested by the Creasy Group with RC drilling in 2019. However, the program of 25 holes scattered over 11km of strike returned disappointing results, in 4 m composite sampling, with the best assay results of 4m @ 0.4 % Li2O from 72-76 m.
Novo Exploration
In Q4 2021, Novo completed a 10-day mapping and surface sampling program (both heli-support and ground access) across the Quartz Hill project area, focussing on Li-Ta prospectivity of the LCT pegmatite trend, defining over 200 pegmatites in numerous geometries and various sizes, some with up to 40% lepidolite.
Stream sediment samples taken by Novo highlight an extension of the lepidolite-rich pegmatite trend by 700 m further east and importantly, this trend also remains open to the east. The LCT pegmatite trend appears to change orientation from NE-SW to E-W and has not been previously tested by geochemical sampling in this region.
Newly returned results from exploration programmes completed by Novo in December 2021 include peak stream sediment results of 148 ppm Li and 64 ppm Ta.
Forward Work Programme 2022
Exploration throughout the Kurrana Pegmatite Trend is at an early stage and programmes of additional mapping and sampling are in plan to further test the Li-Ta prospectivity to the east, utilising known trends and methodologies developed during recent programs.
Novo’s lithium holdings across its Pilbara tenure are considered non-core and a strategic review process is underway.
For further information please visit: https://novoresources.com/
