Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) has completed its maiden drilling program at the Sadisdorf polymetallic tin-lithium project in Saxony, Germany.
The three hole, 560-metre diamond drilling program commenced in mid-December 2017 and was completed last week.
The program was designed to validate historical drilling data and increase confidence in future mineral resource estimates.
Down-hole surveys planned and assays pending
Down-hole geophysical surveys were planned for the two days following completion.
Completion of sampling and assaying of the remaining core will be a priority over April and May.
A further update from Sadisdorf is expected including assay results from the completed drill program in coming weeks.
Potential for a commercial scale SiLeach® lithium carbonate plant
Lithium Australia is farming into a joint venture at Sadisdorf with German company Tin International AG.
Sadisdorf has the potential to provide feed to a commercial scale SiLeach® lithium carbonate plant.
Furthermore, it is located on the doorstep of the German automotive industry, which is rapidly gearing up to produce large numbers of electric vehicles.
READ: Lithium Australia to benefit from maiden lithium resource in electric vehicle manufacturer's backyard
Partner Tin International AG had previously defined an Inferred JORC resource of 3.36 million tonnes grading 0.44% tin.
In mid-December 2017, Lithium Australia revealed an Inferred JORC resource of 25 million tonnes grading 0.45% lithium oxide.
Lithium Australia’s SiLeach® processing technology is suited to unlocking the lithium value of historical silicate deposits such as Sadisdorf.
READ: Lithium Australia NL identifying feed for large-scale SiLeach pilot plant
Over in Western Australia, Lithium Australia is in the final stages of advancing its large-scale SiLeach® pilot plant and is assessing feed sources for the first 12 months of operation.
Significantly, the Lepidolite Hill lithium deposit, which Lithium Australia has an 80% share in, is emerging as a potentially valuable feed option.
The company’s SiLeach® processing technology is in the process of being commercialised through the large-scale SiLeach® pilot plant.