Aiming To Further Increase Mineral Resources In Carolina
Piedmont Lithium Limited (ASX:PLL) has resumed drilling on its properties located within the world-class Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt (TSB) in North Carolina, USA.
The drill programme will consist of approximately 5,600 meters. The programme’s primary objectives are to drill Exploration Target areas on the Core and Central properties, as well as previously untested occurrences of spodumene bearing pegmatite on regional properties
Approximately 50% of the total drill holes are allocated for the eastern portion of the Core property. These drill holes will test two Exploration Target areas previously identified (refer announcement dated June 24, 2019). The Company will additionally explore Area 5, which is outcropping mineralisation with assays up to 2.10%. Several areas of low mineralization potential will also be tested to determine whether these areas offer additional Resource potential or are better suited for waste rock storage and or mine infrastructure.
At the Central property, five drill holes are proposed to test the previous Exploration Target. Two holes are designed to test to the south and downdip of the intercepts reported in Hole 19-CT-019 (36.0 meters @ 1.11% Li2O and 44.9 meters @ 1.30% Li2O).
The remainder of the proposed drilling will be distributed on Piedmont’s regional properties. Drilling at Area 1 will target a large robust soil anomaly along with outcrops of spodumene bearing pegmatite that range up to 2.37% Li2O. Initially, Area 2 and 3 will receive limited drilling that will target significant soil anomalies and spodumene in outcrop. At Sunnyside, soil anomalies and newly identified spodumene pegmatite occurrences will be targeted as well as potential follow up drilling from the 2018 drilling reported in our announcement dated October 16, 2018 (20.1 meters @1.42% Li2O).
President and Chief Executive Officer, Keith Phillips, said prioritisation of drilling will be results based, not all the regional targets may get drilled.
“We are excited to once again have drill rigs in the field. The Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt is one of the world’s most significant spodumene occurrences, and there are many high-priority targets remaining on our properties,” Mr Phillips said.
“Spodumene is the dominant feedstock for the fast-growing lithium hydroxide market, and with over 80% of the world’s hydroxide currently being produced in China, this is an opportune time for Piedmont to grow its mineral resources in the United States.”
