Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL, OTC:BHLIF, TSX-V:BHLI, FRA:8CD1) told investors it has secured a key drilling permit for its Whistlejacket lithium project in Arizona, clearing the way for the next stage of its 2026 spodumene exploration campaign.
The North America-focused lithium developer said the Arizona State Land Department had approved the project’s Geologic Field Operations Plan, allowing rock sampling and up to 24 drill pads at Whistlejacket.
Bradda plans around 14,000 ft of drilling across Whistlejacket and San Domingo, comprising around 11,500 ft across 24 holes at Whistlejacket and about 2,500 ft across 20 holes at selected San Domingo targets.
The company said San Domingo is already permitted, meaning approvals are now in place across both Arizona pegmatite projects. The programmes are designed to support initial NI 43-101 technical reports and, subject to further exploration success, maiden mineral resource estimates by the end of 2027.
Executive chair Ian Stalker said the approval supported the “rapid advancement” of Bradda’s Arizona lithium portfolio, adding that contractor selection for the 2026 drilling campaign was entering its final stages despite tight rig availability in the western United States.