Atlantic Lithium Limited (ASX: A11, AIM: ALL) has commenced auger drilling at the Ewoyaa Lithium Projectm part of the 2023 exploration and resource drilling programmes now underway at the Project and broader 560sq. km Cape Coast Lithium portfolio in Ghana, West Africa.
Highlights:
The following 2023 exploration drilling programme is planned:
• Approximately 20,000m of auger drilling over a five-month period to test multiple targets identified within the Project area and broader Portfolio; auger drilling has now commenced at the Assan target in the north of the Project area, with four auger rigs active to test for and define pegmatite footprints.
• Passive seismic geophysics survey to test for potential concealed pegmatite targets within the immediate Ewoyaa Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) footprint.
• Approximately 6,500m of follow-up exploration RC drilling on new targets defined in auger drilling and the passive seismic survey, dependent on results.
• Soil geochemistry survey, which has now commenced over the Cape Coast licence. ➢ An additional resource drilling programme is planned to run concurrently:
• Approximately 10,000m of resource infill and extensional reverse circulation (“RC”) and diamond core (DD) drilling at the Project consisting of:
o 3,000m of infill drilling to convert Inferred resources to the higher confidence Indicated category at the Ewoyaa South 2 deposit for future mine sequencing optionality; drill pads and access construction is currently underway;
o 7,000m of step out extensional drilling along strike and at depth below the Ewoyaa Main, Ewoyaa North-East and Kaampakrom corridor deposits aiming to grow the current MRE.
• Approximately 2,000m of DD for Project studies including water monitoring, metallurgy and resource twinning of RC holes.
• Analysis of pegmatite drill intersections from stored pulps and retention samples for multi-element geochemistry to help define a feldspar MRE in support of future mine studies.
The Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Project is well progressed
“The objectives of these significant 2023 exploration and resource drilling programmes are to test for concealed pegmatites within the immediate Resource footprint, improve Resource confidence, add potential tonnes to the current MRE and expand the regional exploration pipeline of targets,” Interim CEO, Lennard Kolff, said.
“We are commencing the field programmes on all fronts, with four auger rigs active in the Assan target area, a dozer on site constructing drill access and pads ahead of an infill resource programme at the Ewoyaa South 2 deposit, and the regional geochemistry soil survey underway over the broader Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio area.
“We are excited to have engaged Fleet Space Technologies to complete a passive seismic geophysical survey, using their ExoSphere solution, over the Ewoyaa footprint looking for potential concealed pegmatites.
“All the drilling focus to date has been on outcropping pegmatites whilst typically they occur in clusters and there is potential for concealed pegmatites. The technology has been successfully deployed on lithium pegmatite targeting elsewhere so we look forward to seeing the results of the survey on Ewoyaa.
“With a significant MRE infill and extensional programme planned, we are confident of further resource upgrades. Importantly, these will not impact the planned delivery date of the DFS, which will be based on the current MRE.
“The infill programme planned at the Ewoyaa South 2 deposit is designed to convert additional near surface Inferred resources to the higher confidence Indicated category, aiming to provide mine scheduling optionality nearer to the commencement of mining operations.
“Further to the 2023 exploration and resource drilling programmes, which are now underway, both the FEED and DFS are well progressed. These represent major landmarks for the Company in advancing Ewoyaa towards the mine build. The DFS remains on track for release at the end of Q2.
“With the Pre-Feasibility Study delivered, the Mining Licence application submitted, the FEED engineering contract awarded and the funding agreement with our partner Piedmont Lithium in place, the Company is pushing ahead to achieve production and benefit from the ongoing lithium demand expected over the coming years.”
2023 Exploration and Resource Programmes:
The company has planned comprehensive exploration and resource drilling programmes for the 2023 season with three key objectives; test for concealed pegmatites within the immediate Resource footprint using passive seismic geophysics, improve Resource confidence and add potential tonnes to the current MRE, and expand the regional exploration pipeline of targets.
For further information please visit: https://www.atlanticlithium.com.au/
