Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL) has reported surface assay results of up to 3.9% lithium oxide from its Whistlejacket project in Arizona, as it begins its first drilling programme on the site.
The results form the third and final phase of the company's 2026 rock-chip sampling programme at the project, which is held under an option-to-joint-venture agreement with Kennecott Exploration Company.
Of 41 rock samples analysed, 19 returned grades above 0.50% lithium oxide, including 15 above 1.00% and 13 above 1.50%.
All samples returned low iron content below 1.0%, with most below 0.4%, supporting the project's favourable metallurgical characteristics.
The sampling also identified elevated tantalum, niobium, caesium and rubidium, consistent with a well-fractionated, rare-element-enriched pegmatite system.
Bradda Head has now received results for 303 surface samples in total, concluding the 2026 rock-chip programme.
The company's exploration activities are now shifting to Phase 3 drilling, which will test the continuity, geometry and scale of the spodumene-bearing pegmatites at depth.
The latest results identified three new prospective target areas east and southeast of previously explored ground, adding to the pipeline of drill targets.
Targets A and B feature steeply dipping pegmatites between one and six metres wide, with permitted drill sites already in place at Target A.
Target C, a sub-horizontal pegmatite, remains under review for future permitting.
Executive chair Ian Stalker said the results provided further encouragement as the company began its first drilling programme at Whistlejacket, following two previous phases completed by Kennecott.
Stalker said the combination of high-grade assays, low iron content and strong geochemical signatures reinforced confidence in the pegmatite system.
He said the programme would test several targets that had not previously been drilled, and that the company looked forward to updating shareholders as drilling progresses.
