Kalamazoo Resources fast-tracks exploration at lithium projects near renowned Pilbara operations
Demand for lithium is expected to accelerate in the coming years as electric vehicles become more common and the world strives to achieve net zero by 2050.
Kalamazoo Resources (ASX: KZR) is making what it describes as “excellent progress” at its DOM’s Hill and Marble Bar lithium projects in Western Australia’s east Pilbara, where it aims to begin drilling early next year.
At DOM’s Hill, Kalamazoo has completed a project-wide geochemical program, which involved collecting about 4,900 soil samples for analysis.
Using a portable XRF unit, Kalamazoo has identified 30 prospect areas across DOM’s Hill that could potentially host lithium-caesium-tantalum mineralisation.
Kalamazoo said these results were “very encouraging”. The company is following-up on these prospects with more field and laboratory testing, including a potential infill soil sampling program across priority areas.
The company noted that DOM’s Hill is within a similar geological setting and contains target host rocks that are “strongly analogous” to Pilbara Minerals’ (ASX: PLS) renowned Pilgangoora lithium operation and the Albemarle and Mineral Resources’ (ASX: MIN) Wodgina joint venture.
DOM’s Hill covers about 122 square kilometres of ground and is only 50km from Pilgangoora and within the Goldilocks zone, which is believed highly prospective for pegmatite-hosted lithium mineralisation.
Pilgangoora has a resource of 223 million tonnes at 1.37% lithium.
Marble Bar lithium project
Kalamazoo’s Marble Bar project is also in the east Pilbara and is located on the margin of the Moolyella tin and tantalum field.
There are known occurrences of lithium-bearing pegmatites within the project, with most of the identified ones hosting lithium micas such as lepidolite.
However, Kalamazoo says the area’s characteristics and existing empirical evidence indicate the potential for spodumene-bearing pegmatites.
This theory has played out for Global Lithium Resources (ASX: GL1), which owns the Archer deposit about 25km to the north and is also on the margin of the Moolyella field.
Global Lithium recently announced a resource for Archer of 10.5Mt at 1% lithium.
Similar to DOM’s Hill, Kalamazoo has designed a project-wide program at Marble Bar, which will involve collecting about 3,700 soil samples.
The program kicked-off last month with two crews on site.
Kalamazoo anticipates the program will be completed this month.
Drill-ready
The fast-tracked field work programs across both DOM’s Hill and Marble Bar are to assist with rapidly defining drill targets.
These field work campaigns are in parallel with heritage surveys and permitting work.
Kalamazoo expects to undertake a 5,000m reverse circulation drilling program at DOM’s Hill early next year, followed by drilling at Marble Bar.
Lithium market
Many analysts are predicting a large deficit in the lithium market in the coming years as demand for the mineral outstrips supply.
Driving this scenario is the critical role lithium plays in battery-power electric vehicles and the world’s push towards net zero by 2050.
The IMF forecasts demand for critical minerals in renewable energies and EVs will increase sixfold over the next two decades, with this prediction including lithium.