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Core Lithium has uncovered the longest downhole mineralised intersection recorded to date at its Blackbeard prospect of the Finniss lithium operation in the Northern Territory, with diamond drilling intersecting 92 metres at 1.25 per cent lithium oxide.
The result, from hole NMRD104, included a higher-grade interval of 73m at 1.45 per cent lithium oxide. The intersection has an estimated true width of approximately 45m and is located about 80m up-dip from a previously reported 63m at 1.67 per cent lithium oxide.
Core managing director Paul Brown said the “outstanding result” provided further evidence of the continuity of the high-grade mineralisation identified in previous reverse circulation drilling.
“Together with the initial results from NMRD108, these results continue to demonstrate the potential scale of this pegmatite system, located less than 20km from our Finniss processing plant,” Brown said.
“Importantly, these results represent just the first six holes of the current drilling program, and we are still at an early stage of understanding the full potential of Blackbeard.”
Partial results from hole NMRD108 also returned 29m at 1.35 per cent lithium oxide from 209m. Assays for the remaining samples from the hole are pending.
The current diamond drilling program covers 12,150m and is part of Core’s strategy to grow its resource base and extend mine life at Finniss.
The company said Blackbeard could provide additional high-grade resources to support future mining studies and production options.
Its proximity to the existing processing plant and infrastructure may also support assessments of potential plant throughput expansion beyond the current 1.2-million-tonne-per-annum base case.
Drilling is continuing at Blackbeard, with further results to be released as assay data becomes available.
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