112.8m THICK: First Lithium drilling hits monster pegmatite, spodumene crystals at Goulamina lookalike Blakala

First Lithium’s first holes at Blakala prospect in Mali intersect a significant 112.8m pegmatite
Significant spodumene mineralisation seen throughout drill intersections
Second drill rig mobilised to accelerate Blakala drill program

First Lithium’s drill program at the highly prospective Blakala prospect within its Gouna permit in Mali is off to a great start with one of the first two holes intersecting a thick, continuous 112.8m pegmatite.

First Lithium’s (ASX:FL1) Blakala prospect is one of two Tier 1 priority lithium targets in Mali ranked by CSA Global in 2008.

The other is Leo Lithium’s 211Mt Goulamina joint venture project with Ganfeng which is located within the same spodumene pegmatite as the Faraba and Gouna permits.

Despite this being a potential geological mirror of Goulamina, Blakala has not being drilled until the start of the company’s 6,000m drill program to delineate the extent of known spodumene bearing pegmatites with substantive surface expression.

FL1 CEO, Venkat Padala said “The thickness of the pegmatite intersect in the second hole is a very promising sign for the Blakala permit. The team on site were very encouraged to hit such a thick pegmatite at such an early stage in the drilling program.”

Proof is in the drilling 

Location of the two completed holes at Blakala as well as all mapped pegmatites. Pic: Supplied (FL1).

First Lithium’s first two drill holes have now proven that its faith in the Blakala prospect is well placed with both holes intersecting significant pegmatites, a host rock for lithium.

The first hole returned two pegmatites of 4.58m and 5.05m while the second struck the thick 112.8m pegmatite with significant spodumene mineralisation seen throughout the intersections.

Additional previously unmapped thinner pegmatites were also intersected in both holes.

Previous pegmatite outcrop mapping and trenching verifies the thicknesses from the drilling, with mapping of the main pegmatite showing thicknesses between 10m to 45m.

Spodumene in the second drill hole. Pic: Supplied (FL1).

Drilling to accelerate

Given the highly encouraging results to date, it comes as no surprise that the company is now moving to accelerate its drilling by mobilising an additional diamond drill rig to Blakala within two weeks.

Venkat Padala said “The enthusiasm that follows such a thick pegmatite hit has confirmed the need for a second rig onsite as soon as possible. We are very eager to advance the drilling program to really understand the strike and depth extensions within the Blakala permit”.

A continuous cycle of samples will also be sent to the laboratory during the drilling and continuing trenching programs, with assay results expected every three to four weeks.

 

This article was developed in collaboration with First 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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