Kalamazoo Resources uncovers more spodumene at Marble Bar lithium project
Surface sampling at recently discovered spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes within Kalamazoo’s Marble Bar project has returned rock chip samples assaying up to 2.8% lithium.
Recent mapping and surface sampling by Kalamazoo Resources (ASX: KZR) at its Marble Bar lithium project in Western Australia’s Pilbara has led to the discovery of outcropping spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes.
These are associated with rock chip samples assaying up to 2.8% lithium oxide.
The dykes extend over 1.1km of strike in an area which has yet to be drilled.
Visible spodumene was observed in all the highest-grade samples and has been confirmed by petrological analysis.
Drilling also intersects lithium mineralisation
Meanwhile, the areas drilled last year at Marble Bar and the DOM’s Hill projects have also returned positive lithium results.
At Marble Bar, 26 drill holes targeted several outcropping lithium-mineralised pegmatite dykes and soil geochemistry anomalies.
Lepidolite mineralisation was intersected in three holes with the best result being 1m at 0.6% lithium oxide from 4m.
The Marble Bar and DOM’s Hill lithium projects are part of an exploration joint venture agreement between Kalamazoo and the major Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA (SQM).
SQM has been granted the right to earn an initial 30% interest, with a maximum of 70% in all mineral rights at the projects by sole funding a minimum of $12 million of exploration and development activities over the next four years.
DOM’s Hill is also located in the Pilbara.
At DOM’s Hill, 10 holes were drilled and were targeting soil geochemistry anomalies, with one hole intersecting an unmineralised pegmatite swarm.
New field program being planned
The 2023 field program is now in the planning stages, and this will include “significant” phase two drilling. In addition, there will be further evaluation of the spodumene-bearing dykes at Marble Bar.
“It is important to note that this is the first reported observation of spodumene within the Marble Bar lithium project,” Kalamazoo stated.
“Kalamazoo considers this to be a highly encouraging development which will be the subject of further investigations during 2023.”
SQM is one of the world’s leading lithium producers with its main asset in Australia being its 50% joint venture interest in the Mt. Holland lithium project in a joint venture with Wesfarmers (ASX: WES).