Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL) said it has engaged a drilling contractor for a sonic drilling programme at its Wikieup clay project in Western Arizona, starting early in the fourth quarter.
The North America-focused lithium developer signed Boart Longyear to start drilling at Wikieup, which is adjacent to Hawkstone Mining Ltd (ASX:HWK)'s Big Sandy resource of 32.5 million tonnes at 1,850 parts per million lithium.
Boart Longyear has extensive experience using sonic rigs, which are more environmentally friendly than diamond drill rigs, and drilling in clay and in the US, Bradda Head said.
As part of a fast-track development of its sedimentary lithium assets, Bradda has also accelerated its permitting at Wikieup and said it expects all remaining drilling permits to be received early in the fourth quarter.
"We are delighted to have engaged Boart Longyear to begin our fast-track sedimentary drilling programme at Wikieup,” said Bradda Head chief executive Charles FitzRoy. “They have real pedigree when it comes to drilling in sedimentary deposits, and their sonic drilling technology is industry-leading, so we are very optimistic of efficient recoveries from this programme.
"Additionally, the sonic drilling technique's reduced water use and waste reduction makes our operations much more sustainable, so this engagement aligns well with Bradda Head's own commitment to sustainability and to supplying the EV [electric vehicle] revolution in the most environmental way possible.
“Bradda is focussing a large part of its IPO budget at Wikieup," he said.
Bradda is concentrating on three areas at Wikieup where its geologists have identified highly prospective areas with the potential for lithium mineralised clay, similar to that found at Big Sandy.
The AIM-listed company is also in the process of completing a drilling programme at its Burro Creek East asset.
READ: Bradda Head returns high-grade lithium from latest round of drilling at Burro Creek East