Lightning Minerals identifies three large lithium target areas and REE potential following soil sampling across Dundas Project

Lightning Minerals Ltd (ASX:L1M) has identified yet another lithium zone with soil geochemistry at the Dundas Lithium Project in Western Australia, bringing the total target zones to three so far.

Soil samples revealed a lithium soil anomalism of up to 147 parts per million lithium, with some correlative rubidium caesium and tantalum elevations as well.

L1M is keen to follow-up all three lithium zones in the next stage of work at Dundas, the largest of which stretches across 35 square kilometres across both tenements of the project, but will also assess Dundas for rare earth element (REE), nickel, copper, gold, and platinum group element potential.

Drilling to begin in June

“Completion of all soil sampling across our Dundas tenements is a strong step forward for the company,” Lightning Minerals CEO Alex Biggs said.

“When we consider the number of targets that have been identified through our Phase 1 of exploration, both through soil sampling and geophysics, this lays solid groundwork for exploration drilling which will form part of our Phase 2 exploration strategy.

“As we move towards drilling in June at our E63/2001 tenement, I thank our shareholders, team and stakeholders for their support as we move into a transformational period for the company.”

Dundas North tenure showing returned ultrafine lithium soil geochemistry results (prospective lithium zones circled in blue).

REE, battery and precious metal review

Lightning is scheduled to begin its inaugural drilling program at the start of June 2023, which will involve auger sampling on tenement E63/2000 concurrently with aircore and reverse circulation (RC) drilling on tenement E63/2001.

The company will also undertake a comprehensive targeting exercise using the results of the reconnaissance sampling program, including REEs, gold, copper, nickel, and platinum group elements (PGE) in the review.

L1M says the recent success of neighbouring exploration companies in the region has highlighted the potential for REE accumulations above fertile granites within the Dundas region, prompting the company to undertake a full review of REE potential given their critical mineral status.