Jindalee to begin drilling at the largest lithium deposit in the US in ’24 following crucial tick of approval

Special Report: A ramp-up of onsite activity at the McDermitt lithium project is expected next year after Jindalee Lithium’s Exploration Plan of Operations receives the tick of approval by the US Bureau of Land Management.

Jindalee Lithium (ASX:JLL) owns the 3Bt @ 1,340ppm for 21.5Mt LCE McDermitt project in Oregon – the largest lithium deposit in the US by contained lithium.

Since acquiring the project back in 2018, the company has made a solid effort at increasing the total resources at the site, which is now larger than the nearby 19.1Mt Thacker Pass project being developed by Lithium Americas.

The company is looking to expand on this work and has been notified by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that the crucial National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) process will begin on 10 January 2024.

Exploration to ramp up post approval

Once a final decision has been made on the NEPA assessment approval of its exploration plan of operations (EPO), JLL will start ramping up activity at McDermitt. Proposed works include infill drilling and collection of additional, fresh samples for site investigations (geotechnical and hydrological), as well as further metallurgical test work.

The company is also looking to engage with US government agencies (both State and Federal) regarding opportunities to advance McDermitt, and the potential for US government funding for the project, with further updates expected in the new year.

PFS works continue to advance as planned

Meanwhile, PFS work continues with additional activities underway with the US West Coast based engineering firms for supporting works.

These include pit geotechnical, mine waste and tailings storage management, hydrology and water supply and grid power supply.

Discussions are also taking place with a mine planning engineering consultancy, with contract award targeted for early in the new year.

JLL says the PFS will also leverage the baseline environmental studies and Native American heritage investigations undertaken for the EPO.

The PFS is expected to continue through until mid-2024, subject to the timing of metallurgical test results, site investigations and approvals.

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Jindalee Lithium, 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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