Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX:LPI)'s 100%-owned subsidiary Western Lithium (TSX:WLC) has set the drills turning on its inaugural drilling program at the East Kirup lithium prospect, part of the company’s Greenbushes Project in the south-west of Western Australia.
The project is 20 kilometres north-west along the Donnybrook Shear Zone from Greenbushes, Australia’s largest lithium mine, which is operated by Talison Lithium.
The planned program includes 960 metres of reverse circulation drilling and 400 metres of HQ core-sized diamond drilling.
Sustainable exploration
The drilling campaign is being conducted in accordance with an approved conservation management plan (CMP), which aligns with the Western Lithium’s sustainable exploration and development practices.
The plan requires the work to be completed in dry conditions to prevent the spread of phytophthora dieback, minimising the impact on native trees.
LPI has engaged two drilling contractors with experience in completing work in forested areas under tight environmental conditions.
The rigs being used have a very small footprint and use above-ground sumps with solid removal equipment to minimise water usage.
Broad objectives
The objectives of the program are broad, reflecting the fact that the area has not previously been drilled. At this stage the company hopes to define the water table, water quality and flow rates, and assess stratigraphy and geochemical anomalies along the Donnybrook Shear Zone previously defined by laterite and soil sampling.
The company has conducted detailed two-season flora and fauna surveys on a defined area of the East Kirup prospect, with all planned drill holes pinpointed with reference to these surveys on existing tracks where there is sufficient cleared space to allow drilling without further clearing.
LPI executive director Andrew Phillips said: “The results of this drilling program will be used − along with previously completed environmental surveys − to prepare a CMP to allow drilling on new tracks, the commencement of phase three.
Hitting the ground running
“While the core focus for LPI in H2 2022 was the MSB consolidation in Chile, throughout this time the Western Lithium team was expanding and diligently working to add value to the projects. Final approvals were also granted to commence this inaugural drilling program in the Greenbushes area.
“The project area is large, requiring careful analysis to identify the selected drilling targets. The intention is to hit the ground running in 2023, and we are pleased that the commencement of the program is so early in the year.”
Western Lithium is to be demerged from LPI in the first half of 2023, subject to market conditions and shareholder approval, potentially creating additional value for LPI shareholders.