Stelar Metals Ltd (ASX:SLB) has fielded promising intersections from its initial reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Trident Lithium Project near Broken Hill in Far West NSW.
The drill campaign took place in November last year and involved 29 holes for 2,630 metres across 18 sites at the Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field, in what is considered one of the country’s pioneering lithium mining provinces around 50 kilometres from the mining centre.
The endeavour not only confirmed the presence of high-grade lithium but also identified broad intersections of anomalous lithium concentrations within the pegmatites.
Standout results include an 8-metre intersection at 1.16% Li2O, comprising a notable 4 metres at 1.85% Li2O.
Cross-section through Trident showing selected intersections.
Largely unexplored
Such findings underscore the area's mineralised potential, particularly in its northern extension, which remains open and largely unexplored.
Trident, renowned for its expansive scale across a 20-kilometre strike length within the Euriowie Tin Pegmatite Field, has historically been a source of lithium and tin.
November's drill initiative aimed to delineate the orientation and morphology of the Trident pegmatites, revealing high grades and widespread anomalous lithium intercepts.
The exploration yielded significant potential, particularly north of Trident, where the mineralised pegmatite system deepens, hinting at a largely untapped resource.
Geological analyses during the drilling intersected substantial pegmatite formations intruding into Paragon Group schists, pointing to the classic zonation characteristic of LCT-type (lithium, caesium, tantalum) pegmatite systems.
At the Trident prospect, the zonation and alteration were especially pronounced, suggesting a geological setting ripe for further exploration – and the company has already trained its sights on the area for its 2024 program.
Stelar plans to conduct detailed mapping and surface sampling to better understand the pegmatite zonation and identify new drill targets within the Euriowie Pegmatite Field.
An expanded second-round drill program is in the pipeline, aimed at probing the northern reaches of the mineralised system extending towards Mount Euriowie.
Regulatory approvals and heritage clearances are underway.
In light of fluctuating lithium prices and market dynamics, Stelar Metals remains committed to advancing its exploration projects, leveraging the initial success at Trident to explore and define additional lithium-rich pegmatites.
High-grade lithium
CEO Colin Skidmore said: “Our initial drilling has confirmed Stelar’s view that the large-scale pegmatite system at Trident has the potential to host high-grade lithium mineralisation.
“Drill hole TRD001 confirmed high-grade lithium in this newly identified system that warrants further follow-up - with the lithium-rich pegmatite identified in the initial drilling Trident open to the north.
“As expected, the first exploration results from this new lithium terrain in NSW have also returned broad lithium intersections with highly anomalous lithium results, providing valuable information to plan our next exploration and drill programs.
“As the lithium prices and markets have substantially weakened in the short term, our 2024 field exploration campaigns in NSW have recommenced to follow up a range of new and additional lithium-rich pegmatites and drill targets for drilling later in 2024 as markets recover.
“We will plan our next drilling program at Trident to include these new targets and exploration results.”