Sipa Resources Limited (ASX: SRI) has identified new lithium targets for follow up drilling at Skeleton Rocks in Western Australia, following a further review of results from its 138- hole aircore drill programme conducted earlier this year.
Initial results from the drill program confirmed the existence of anomalous lithium in previously untested greenstone units, leading Sipa to undertake further analysis of the complete data set, both internally and via external consultants. Those reviews highlighted target areas where elevated lithium and other pegmatite-associated elements (Caesium and Rubidium) form coherent halos on the margins of the greenstone units, often in association with quartz veining.
The elevated lithium, rubidium and caesium values are 4-5 times background levels, and may indicate the presence of nearby lithium-bearing pegmatites.
The target areas will be tested via a follow up drill program, post Sipa’s ongoing drilling at Paterson North, and planned drilling at Barbwire Terrace and other projects.
The planned programme will comprise a series of deeper holes angled to the northeast directly under the geochemical anomalies.
Skeleton Rocks is strategically located between the Great Eastern Highway and the Mt Holland lithium project currently being developed as part of a joint venture between Wesfarmers and Chilean mining major Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM).
The identification of these new lithium targets is encouraging, particularly given the location of this project; with active lithium exploration underway immediately to the east of the project area*, and significant lithium resources being developed at Mt Holland, 30km to the southeast,” Sipa Resources Managing Director, Pip Darvall, said.