Kodal Minerals PLC (AIM:KOD) said a total of 41 reverse circulations and 18 diamond drill holes have been completed at its Bougouni Lithium Project in southern Mali, highlighting the "potential for expansion."
The drilling totalled 6,360 metres (m) and was focused on the development and extension at the Ngoualana prospect.
Exploration drilling also took place at the Kola, Bougouni South and Boumou prospects, the mineral exploration and development company said.
A total of 3,406 samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, with initial high-grade assay results of up 2.78% lithium-oxide returned, it noted in a statement.
Some further intersections including 18m at 1.31% lithium-oxide and 8m at 1.5% lithium-oxide, with a further 2,606 samples still to be returned.
"This latest drilling at the Bougouni project continues to highlight the potential for expansion of the existing defined resource base as well as additional prospects to be advanced, as the recent drilling has intersected wide zones of pegmatite at all prospects and all remain open along strike and at depth,” said Kodal chief executive Bernard Aylward in the statement.
Additionally, the group said it continued to make progress towards its dense media separation (DMS) plant option, with the group advancing environmental and social studies for the plant.
Separately, Hainan Mining, which provided investment to Kodal, has submitted application forms to the China National Development and Reform Commission and the Department of Commerce for approvals to complete its investment in Bougouni and Kodal.
"We maintain regular dialogue with the key Hainan executives regarding the proposed Bougouni project development and plans to quickly move into a construction phase once the transaction is complete and all funds received,” Aylward added.