MetalsGrove Mining Ltd (ASX:MGA) has completed its maiden 4,200-metre reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Upper Coondina Lithium Project in Western Australia.
The maiden drilling program was designed to test the priority lithium targets at the recently discovered Chola Prospect in the southeast of the main Upper Coondina Project area.
Notably, MetalsGrove has successfully intersected the main target zone at Chola with the first assays expected to be reported in Q1 2023.
MetalsGrove has also completed a DGPR (deep ground penetrating radar) survey at Upper Coondina.
DGPR is a proven technique for identifying additional pegmatites and establishing a more detailed understanding of subsurface mineralisation.
MetalsGrove managing director Sean Sivasamy said: “We are delighted to have completed our maiden RC drilling program at the Chola Prospect on time and on budget before the end of the year.
“Chola is an exciting structure with soil sampling already confirming the strong lithium and tantalum potential in the region.
“Our first drilling program was designed to confirm the width, tenure and mineralisation profile of the pegmatites, down from 60 to 120m plus depths, and we are confident these initial objectives have been achieved.”
DGPR survey
Ultramag Geophysics was engaged by the company to undertake a DGPR survey to identify pegmatites and investigate subsurface potential for the known, mapped and sampled at the Upper Coondina lithium project.
Excellent signal quality from depths of 30 metres to 100 metres was recorded and a total of 28.5 kilometres of line-data at 50 metres to 150 metres spacing was completed.
The DGPR survey has identified 23 new potential pegmatite structures conjugate with existing known mineralised pegmatites within the Chola Prospect.
The newly interpreted pegmatites appear to be much wider than the mapped and sampled pegmatites at Chola.
They are also interpreted to start below the surface and extend slightly deeper; orientation is correlated with the known surface outcrop pegmatite.
Sivasamy added: “Our DGPR survey has also highlighted a host of new potential pegmatite structures nearby to the Chola Prospect which is highly encouraging.
“MetalsGrove is well positioned to hit the ground running in early 2023 with a busy pipeline of activity planned across the portfolio.
“We look forward to providing further updates as initial assays from Upper Coondina come to hand early in the New Year.”
Next Steps
- RC Drill samples have been sent to the laboratory for analysis;
- continue detailed field mapping in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to further enhance the geological modelling;
- continue DGPR survey in the areas north of Chola, Happy Go Lucky and Shaw River Prospects to identify potential extensions of the undercover pegmatites;
- planning for follow-up programs once assay results have been received and interpreted;
- start planning for heritage surveys prior to drill programs; and
- planning underway for surface field mapping and sampling.
Article Courtesy of Proactive Investors
