West Cobar Metals Limited (ASX:WC1) has commenced its maiden field programme at its highly prospective lithium claystone project near Tonopah in Nevada, USA.
Situated within the world class Nevada lithium district, the Nevada Lithium Project consists of the Montezuma Well and Big Smoky Valley claims areas which are considered prospective for large- scale sedimentary-hosted lithium claystone deposits. The prospective areas are located in close proximity to the mining town of Tonopah and 350km southeast of the Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada.
West Cobar’s prospective areas host similar geology to known major claystone hosted lithium deposits in the region, including TLC (American Lithium), Tonopah Flats (American Battery Technology Company), Rhyolite Ridge (Ioneer Limited) and Clayton Valley (Century Lithium)
“We are delighted to announce that field work has commenced at our lithium properties in the world class Nevada lithium district,” Chair, Rob Klug, said.
This initial phase of field work will provide the technical information required to plan and undertake the wide-spaced RC drilling to effectively test both claim areas for lithium mineralization within the both the Montezuma Well and Smoky Valley mining claim areas.”
Nevada Lithium Project
The 242 claims lie in the Silver Peak-TLC zone, which hosts the single biggest US lithium mine, Albemarle’s Silver Peak lithium-in-brines operation, and some of the largest US lithium in claystone resources. The ground is prospective for lithium underlain by the host Siebert and Esmeralda Formation claystone.
The Montezuma Well Prospect is located two km west of American Lithium Corporation’s TLC deposit and 4km north of American Battery Technology’s recently announced Tonopah Flats discovery. The Big Smoky Valley Prospect is located 30km south-west of the TLC deposit, 30km north-east of Ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge deposit and 20km north of Silver Peak. The claim areas lie in flat arid country allowing all-year-round access for exploration.
West Cobar’s Lithium Project consists of the Montezuma Well and Big Smoky Valley claim areas that lie within public land controlled by the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which provides a clear pathway to undertake exploration programmes.
Next Steps
On grant of the BLM drilling application, West Cobar plans to undertake wide-spaced RC drilling to effectively test both claim areas for lithium mineralization within the shallow- dipping Siebert Formation claystone.
With the preliminary exploration and drilling budget approved, West Cobar has received several quotes from drilling contractors.
For further information please visit: https://www.westcobarmetals.com.au/
