#CORE SHELL AT UPDATE#

The study is anticipated to commence in October and aims to convert in-situ mineral resources (as announced on 25 August 2022) to Ore Reserves for scheduling, mine planning and detailed pit design in a NW pit.Īdditionally, a scoping study continues to evaluate the potential for either opencut or underground development of further resource extensions from Phase 2 drilling. Planning is underway for follow-up reverse circulation and diamond drilling, for the purposes of extension, geotechnical and metallurgical studies. The Phase 1 resource infill program at 2NW pit is on target for completion by the end of October and Perth based consultants Entech have been appointed to project manage an open pit, cut-back feasibility level study and execution. Given the executed orientation of the drilling, assay intercepts reported are broadly true width.įigure 2: Drilling progress as of 14 September 2022 and location relative to USD 1,100 pit shell and current NW pit design and cut-back. Given the tendency for “pinch and swell” in pegmatite mineralisation, definitive conclusions are not possible at this stage, however geological logging and assay results to date are highly encouraging.Ī typical cross section at northing 224160E (MGA 94) in Figure 1 shows ongoing thick pegmatite development down dip from the US$650 (Ore Reserve) pit shell and the USD 1,100 Whittle shell.Īll drill hole collars for assay results are presented in Figure 2 and Appendix: Table 1. Pegmatite mineralisation to this point generally aligns with the existing geological model and of those assays returned to date and lithia (Li 2O) content is consistent with historic (pre-2022) assays in the North West pit area of Mt Cattlin. Highlights from the lower pegmatite include: Highlights from the assays of the upper pegmatite include: DrillholeĪll significant assays are tabulated in the appendix.įigure 1: Intercepts to the north of the US$1,100 whittle shell show potential for mineral resource expansion. Mt Cattlin’s Mineral Resource tonnage recently increased 21% to 13.3Mt 1.2% Li 2O and 131 ppm Ta 2O 5Īllkem commenced a three-phase resource extension program in mid-April that targets 147 holes for approximately 32,685 metres of reverse circulation (“ RC”) drilling.Īs of 14 September, 81 holes drilled for a total of 19,177 metres were complete and assay results for 47 drillholes were available.Phase 1 and 2 drilling at 2NW pit is on target for completion by end of October and a consultant has been engaged to immediately commence a study to convert mineral resources to Ore Reserves for scheduling, mine planning and detailed pit design.Phase 2 drilling and assay results demonstrate resource extension potential to the north of the current pit with high grade intercepts in the lower pegmatite, including 9m at 2.98% Li 2 O and 7m at 1.86% Li 2 O.Intercepts within this pit include high grade zones with large thicknesses such as 12m at 2.46% Li 2 O and 15m at 1.91% Li 2 O Phase 1 drilling is targeting to convert 3.2Mt of Resource to Reserves.

To be undertaken in late 2022/early 2023. Phase 3 – drilling in the SW of the mine tenements to test additional targets and prospects (18 holes, 2,440 metres). Phase 2 – drilling to the north and down dip of the US$900 2NW pit shell to test resource extensions outside of the US$900 2NW pit (planned 80 holes, 19,125 metres) and within the US$1,100 pit shell. Phase 1 – drilling within the US$900 2NW pit shell converting resource to reserve (planned 49 holes, 11,120 metres). The drilling program consists of three phases as described below:

#CORE SHELL AT UPDATE#

05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Allkem Limited (ASX|TSX: AKE, the Company) is pleased to provide an update on the resource extension drilling program currently underway at its Mt Cattlin spodumene operation in Western Australia.

Core shell at