CuFe completes heritage survey for North Dam lithium drilling
Additional PoW extending scope and coverage of Stage 1 drill program approved
Further rock chip sampling of potential host pegmatites for anomalous REE and Niobium mineralisation to be carried out
RC drilling expected to start in July 2024
Special Report: CuFe is laying the foundation for drilling at its North Dam lithium project near Coolgardie, WA, with completion of the first heritage survey and approval of additional Programme of Works to extend the program’s scope and coverage.
North Dam sits between Mineral Resources’ (ASX:MIN) Mt Marion lithium mine and Develop’s (ASX:DVP) Pioneer Dome lithium project in the WA Goldfields’ booming lithium corridor, about 50km south-southeast of Coolgardie.
A recent geochemical soil program carried out by CuFe (ASX:CUF) had extended the project’s known lithium anomalies out across 3.5km of strike, creating multiple targets for a Stage 1 drill program.
Previous rock chip sampling had also confirmed the majority of pegmatites trend northwest and outcropping pegmatites range from 10-450m in strike length and from 1-30m in width.
Heritage survey completed
The company has now completed an archaeological and ethnographic heritage survey of priority Stage 1 drill areas as part of the preparation for ongoing exploration including reverse circulation drilling.
Meanwhile, the drill targets have been further refined with field mapping and interpretation of the initial soil geochemistry.
These areas will be infilled with a higher density of soil sampling prior to pad preparation and execution of the RC program.
Additionally, the lithium exploration field work has followed up on anomalous rare earths, niobium, columbite and tantalite rock chips while soil geochemistry and detailed pegmatite mapping has identified three pegmatite bodies that might be potential sources of the columbite and tantalite chips.
As such, the company has extended the initial Programme of Work (PoW) approved by the WA government based on the new data and interpreted areas of high potential.
“Preparations for the maiden RC program are progressing well and completing our first heritage survey for the tenements is an important milestone,” executive director Mark Hancock said.
“We thank the Marlinyu Ghoorlie Native Title Claimant Group for their support and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship in the region.
“With the PoW finalised for the lithium targets and some new rock chip results expected over the next two weeks that could help pin down the source pegmatites for the niobium and tantalum mineralisation we have seen previously within stream channels, it is an exciting time for the project.”
Next steps
Findings from the heritage survey are expected in the next two weeks.
CUF has also shortlisted drill contractors and plans to launch the RC drill program in July 2024.
This article was developed in collaboration with CuFe, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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