Mineral explorer Aldoro Resources has intersected multiple pegmatite intervals prospective for lithium mineralisation in all 15 holes of a follow-up, phase two RC drill program at its Niobe project in WA. The company says the drilling validates and extends both the phase 1 drilling and also the historic drilling results at Niobe. The campaign forms part of a larger 64-hole investigation of the project’s landholdings.
The company is utilising portable x-ray fluorescence, or an “XRF” gun to take preliminary readings on the mineral cocktail in the pegmatite to get ahead of the lengthy wait times for assays being experienced industry wide. Every metre of RC drilling is being analysed for an array of different elements by portable XRF to fast-track interpretation and assist further planning.
Aldoro says the results from the second phase of drilling continue to encourage the concept of a large-scale lithium pegmatite system at play at Niobe. Intersections have accurately confirmed the locations of historically logged pegmatites with drilling showing intersections as thick or thicker than predicted.
The company says abundant mineralised structures were intersected during geological logging that provide further encouragement it may be onto lithium rich ground.
The Perth-based junior explorer’s latest work at Niobe follows a previous rock chip sampling program in the area that delivered elevated rubidium grades of up to 9,307 parts per million. Rubidium is considered a “pathfinder” mineral for lithium.
Any announcement about lithium in this market has the capacity to set pulses racing as the battery metals boom pushes ever skywards.
Its price has surged on international markets in the past 12 months and there are some who think lithium will be the “new oil” with most major car manufacturers already moving to create an electric vehicle product.
Following the completion of the ongoing drilling program and collection of the outstanding assay results, Aldoro will look to kick off a mineral resource estimate before shifting its attention to the company’s Wyemandoo Project where an extensive greenfields drill program is planned.
As Aldoro continues its onslaught on lithium bearing pegmatites at Niobe it will no doubt be anxiously anticipating the assay results from the numerous pegmatite intersections.
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