Accelerate Resources’ (ASX: AX8) first drill programme at the Prinsep lithium project within the company’s 100% owned Karratha Lithium Project in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia has defined a significant lithium pegmatite system.
Drilling has hit near-surface drill intercepts of up to 1.28% Li2O in a significantly wide zones of lithium mineralisation were intercepted in the first test since discovery in 2023, when rock samples returned lithium grades up to 2.06% Li2O.
The project is exceptionally well located close to the regional centre of Karratha and is only 35km west of SH Mining’s Andover Lithium Project.
All 38 drill holes intercepted south dipping lithium zones at targeted downhole depths, from surface to an average depth of 100m vertically below surface. An important outcome of the program is the discovery of a wide low-grade lithium alteration halo, estimated to be greater than 150m true width, with a strike in excess of 1,600m. Significantly, the lithium mineralisation is developed in basalt and sediments interspersed with higher grade lithium pegmatites
The host rock mineralisation (up to 0.34% Li2O) is being further analysed for relevant lithium deposit models, as it is highly anomalous for the area, with implications for the potential system depth and orientation. The higher-grade pegmatites (up to 1.28% Li2O) are present as stacked or stockwork sheets, dykes and lenses within the basalt and metasediments.
“I am pleased to be able to report on the RC drill results, the first ever drilling of this new discovery, where we have successfully demonstrated the potential of Prinsep Lithium Project,” Chief Executive Officer, Luke Meter, said.
“Despite modest grades at this stage, the company has been able intercept pegmatites and mineralisation in every drill hole, over 1.6km of strike and define a significant 120m wide lithium halo around the northern pegmatite zone. The technical team are now busy reviewing all the data to help define the next phase of exploration in which we will aim to focus in on the higher-grade lithium zones and further delineate the recently identified lithium soil anomalies.”
