QX Resources Limited has commenced a maiden 1,500 metre RC drilling programme at its 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.”
