Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) continues to hit lithium-bearing spodumene mineralisation at its Mavis Lake Lithium Project in Ontario, Canada, as it progresses towards a maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate.
One step-out hole has intersected multiple visual pegmatite dykes, with cumulative intersections totalling up to 40.9 metres and local visual estimates of up to 75% spodumene mineralisation, in metre-scale intervals.
Multiple pegmatite dykes totalling 40.9 metres have been intersected in this step-out hole alone, including:
- 24.1 metres of spodumene mineralisation from 53 metres downhole;
- 8.15 metres of spodumene mineralisation from 89 metres downhole; and
- 8.65 metres of spodumene mineralisation from 112.75 metres down hole.
A phase two campaign is now underway, focused on step-out and infill drilling to test the potential strike length of around 3 kilometres between pegmatites.
A total of 51 out of 57 drill holes have intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatite to date.
Earlier drill program
Significant visual intersections of thick pegmatites from the drill hole are likely related to zones defined by a 2018 drilling campaign.
The drill hole is 80 metres east along trend from the nearest previous drilling in 2018, in an area not previously tested, giving CRR confidence in its continuity and scale potential.
This historical drill program was unable to demonstrate the continuity of significant intercepts, but MF22-116 has proven that these zones continue along strike to the east.
Of note is Pegmatite 6, which continues to be intersected, demonstrating significant continuity.
All zones intersected from the 2018 drilling program and the new step-out hole are believed to be trending along with, or in proximity to, Pegmatite 6.
Assay work from the latest drilling campaign is ongoing and CRR plans to update the market as the results come in.
The company has drilled a total of 7,470 metres of a planned 10,000 metres to date with a primary focus on drilling the infill program followed by testing roughly 3 kilometres of potential strike length towards Pegmatite 18.
Cross-section, looking west, with projections of pegmatites (pink shapes) with recently drilled holes of MF22-109, MF22-115, and MF22-116.
Immediate 50-metre infill drill-hole spacing will continue to test strike length and down-dip continuity to further delineate the spodumene-bearing pegmatites to underpin the development of a maiden JORC-compliant resource.
"Extremely encouraging"
Critical Resources chairman Robert Martin said: “To intercept 40-plus metres of lithium-bearing pegmatites in one hole 80 metres east of any known occurrences in a previously untested area at Mavis Lake is extremely encouraging.
“The company’s drilling program continues to intersect mineralised pegmatite and show the pegmatites remain open at depth and along a potential strike length of approximately 3 kilometres between our Pegmatite 6 and Pegmatite 18 prospects.
“We look forward to keeping the market updated as we continue our extended program at Mavis Lake.”
Strategic, infrastructure advantage
The Mavis Lake Project’s location provides a strategic advantage, based just 19 kilometres from the town of Dryden.
This project area is adjacent to the main rail and road networks connecting directly to Thunder Bay, which is being touted as a proposed regional hub for lithium processing.
The region boasts excellent infrastructure, including hydroelectric power located a few kilometres to the southwest of the project.