Red Dirt Metals Limited (ASX: RDT) is preparing to undertake a programme of upcoming exploration events at the recently acquired Yinnetharra Lithium Project, located in the central Gascoyne region of Western Australia, including the imminent commencement of an aggressive drilling programme.
The rapid mobilisation of drill crews and our team of geologists to Yinnetharra is another major milestone for Red Dirt. The fact that we will have a drill rig on the ground only two months after completing the acquisition is another demonstration of the execution ability of the team,” Managing Director, Matthew Boyes, said.
“We believe Yinnetharra is an asset with immense exploration potential. The aim of this maiden drill programme is to provide some insight into potential tonnage and extent of mineralisation along strike and down dip. It will also investigate the mineralogy style and controls over the emplacement of the pegmatites. Red Dirt is aiming to drill approximately 2,000m of core by the end of the calendar year.
“We are also very happy to announce we have now signed a heritage agreement with the traditional owners, the Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation, relating to the additional tenement package with pending status. and we look forward to future collaboration as we explore and develop this exciting new Lithium asset.”
The preliminary work conducted by both the by previous owners and Red Dirt has identified 44 known pegmatite occurrences. From these 44 occurrences, 16 have now been modelled based on surface mapping in conjunction with geochemical sampling and historical drilling. These occurrences will be systematically tested over the next six months.
The Yinnetharra pegmatite bodies are sub-vertically dipping with widths up to 60m at surface and strike lengths measured in some cases in excess of 700m, all striking East-West and radiating out from the nearby granitic intrusive to the west.
These mapped pegmatites are located within a broader package measuring 1.7km by 1km. Access for drill rigs is very good with little to no ground disturbance required and Red Dirt now has all permits required for a drilling camp and 150 drillholes within the heritage cleared area of the tenement package.
The pegmatite bodies and mineralisation have been developed and supported by geological outcrop mapping, surface rock chip assays, geochemical sampling and the 34 RC drillholes completed by the previous owners. Mineralisation has been intercepted down to a depth more than 80m vertical depth from surface. The interpretations shown are conceptual in nature and will be utilised as the primary targeting tool for the initial exploration drill campaign.
DDH1 Drilling has been contracted to provide drilling services for both Yinnetharra and Mt Ida with the diamond rig due on site in the second week of November to commence double shift drilling. A crew of geologists are currently on the ground at Yinnetharra preparing for the commencement of drilling.
Additionally, Red Dirt is pleased to announce the signing of a heritage agreement with Yamatji Maripa Aboriginal Corporation (Agent for Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC) over the pending tenements E09/2545, E09/2621, E09/2705. The total area covered by the tenements represents an area of 35,500 Ha.