International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has highlighted the potential for new discoveries at Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia with the unearthing of a new graphite zone (SDW_1) near the existing resource boundary.
Reverse circulation (RC) drilling intersected multiple shallow zones of graphite mineralisation over a strike of up to 700 metres via nine holes and 715 metres of drilling.
This new graphite zone has the potential to add materially to the existing Springdale resource of 15.6 million tonnes at 6% total graphite content (TGC), which includes a high-grade component of 2.6 million tonnes at 17.5% TGC.
IG6 is pleased with these initial results, as they support the use of airborne electromagnetic survey data in exploration targeting – the technology is well suited to the task given graphite’s highly conductive nature.
SDW_1 is the first of seven priority targets to be drill tested at Springdale.
“Initial results very promising”
International Graphite executive chair Phil Hearse said the company was buoyed by the early results and the potential for Springdale to become a significant supply of critical graphite in the future.
“Springdale is the lynchpin in our vision to be the first sovereign mine to market battery graphite producer with operations wholly contained in Western Australia,” Hearse said.
“We are building on Australia’s reputation for engineering excellence and its appeal as one of the best resource provinces in the world to invest.
“The drilling is building our confidence and understanding of the size and quality of the Springdale mineral resource. Initial results are very promising and support the positive indicators received from past aeromagnetic surveying.
“Early test work has shown potential for graphite from Springdale to be highly suitable for battery anode material and samples from the current drilling program will be used to expand our metallurgical investigation and for future feasibility study assessment.
“In parallel, our team is pushing ahead with the establishment of our downstream facilities at Collie and is heavily involved in equipment installation and planning to commission the pilot plant.”
Samples from this latest drilling program at Springdale have been submitted to the laboratory for processing, with assays pending.
International Graphite is also undertaking resource evaluation (infill) diamond drilling at Springdale, to be expanded with the addition of the RC drill rig within the week.