Drilling Commences on New Lithium Project at Turner River, WA
Sydney, Dec 12, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - QX Resources Limited (
ASX:QXR) has commenced a maiden 1,500 metre RC drilling programme at QXR's 100%-owned Turner River hard rock lithium project, located 15 km to south-east of Mineral Resources' Wodgina lithium mine located within the Pilbara lithium province of Western Australia (Figures 1, 2*).
- RC drilling commenced on maiden 1,500 metre RC drilling programme at QXR's Turner River hard rock lithium project over two target areas.
- Targeting the potential for either lithium bearing pegmatites or a new style of large tonnage hard rock lithium deposit rich in lithium micas (lepidolite) which extends under shallow cover.
- Drilling will also cover other outcropping pegmatites with anomalous lithium results in rock samples.
Drilling is targeting the potential for either lithium mica and spodumene bearing pegmatites, or a new style of large tonnage hard rock lithium deposit hosted near the top of a large granite body rich in lithium micas (lepidolite). An example is the Cinovec deposit in the Czech Republic (Figure 4). Both target styles of lithium mineralisation are interpreted to extend under thin regolith cover at the Carbonate Hill prospect within the Turner River Project exploration licences (E45/6042, E45/6065). Similar types of lithium deposits have been located in WA and other countries, but are yet to be defined as major lithium projects in Australia. An airborne geophysical survey is planned to provide subsurface information to help assess extensions of lithium micas minerals at depth over a 3 km x 1 km target area and over the project licence areas. Current drilling is planned over an area of 400m x 300m in four drill "fences" of angled holes (Figures 1, 3*).
Recently reported rock chip samples of 1.6% Li2O, 1.1% Li2O and 4.9% Li2O were returned from large, coarse grained sub-crop of lepidolite, a lithium rich mica sought after by some end users(refer QXR ASX announcements 8 Nov, 10 Nov and 30 June 2022).
Technical consultants, Resource Potentials, led by Dr Jayson Meyers, who have significant experience in the Pilbara lithium region and at nearby operating mines, have been engaged to oversee the Company's maiden RC drilling program. Government approvals for drilling were obtained, an access track and drill pads cleared, and the RC drilling rig has arrived at site and commenced drilling (see Figure 5*).
Managing Director Steve Promnitz added: "QXR is pursuing a new style of large tonnage lithium project which is yet to be identified in Australia. We consider that initial indications at Turner River show the potential for a large area of significant lithium mica mineralisation hosted in the tops of large Split Rock Supersuite granites extending under cover.
This type of lithium mica mineralisation is sought after by some end users in the battery minerals sector."
(Note: see Figure 4* for explanation of this possible new target style for the Pilbara region of WA).
*To view tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/O1RT499D
About QX Resources Ltd
QX Resources Limited (ASX:QXR) is focused on exploration and development of battery minerals, with hard rock lithium assets in a prime location of Western Australia (WA), and gold assets in Queensland. The aim is to connect end users (battery, cathode and car makers) with QXR, an experienced explorer/developer of battery minerals, with an expanding mineral exploration project portfolio and solid financial support.
Lithium hard rock portfolio: QXR's lithium strategy is centred around WA's prolific Pilbara province, where it has four projects in strategic proximity to some of Australia's largest lithium deposits and mines. Across the Pilbara, QXR's regional lithium tenement package (both granted or under application) spans more than 350 km2.
Lithium brine: QXR drilling and geophysics indicate the existence of a large brine basin at the Liberty Lithium Brine Project USA and geological similarities confirmed with the nearby Silver Peak lithium brine producer Albemarle, in Clayton Valley Nevada. QXR holds an Option to Purchase Agreement to earn-in to 75%.
Gold portfolio: QXR is developing Central Queensland gold projects through a 70% agreement with Zamia Resources Pty Ltd and also on a 100% basis. The gold and copper-gold-moly projects are strategically located within the Drummond Basin, a region that has a >8.5moz gold endowment.
Nickel sulphides: QXR has a significant 39% shareholding in unlisted public Australian company Bayrock Resources Limited, which has a portfolio of highly prospective battery minerals assets in Sweden, primarily in nickel, cobalt and copper. QXR is assisting Bayrock with project development and financing initiatives.
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