Intra Energy Corporation Limited has begun a comprehensive soil geochemical survey at its Maggie Hays Hill Project in Western Australia’s Lake Johnston Province. It marks a significant step in the exploration of historical gold and lithium targets within the project area.
Following the acquisition of the Maggie Hays Hill (MHH) lithium and gold project, preliminary rock sampling conducted in December unveiled highly anomalous levels of tantalum, with a maximum of 390 ppm, and niobium, with a maximum of 482 ppm.
These findings, reported in an ASX release on 17 January 2024, underscore the potential of the area and necessitate a comprehensive follow-up exploration program.
IEC Managing Director Ben Dunn said: “The substantive spodumene intersections being reported by TG Metals and the recent entry into the Lake Johnston lithium province by Rio Tinto provide compelling evidence that there is a lot more spodumene to be found in the region.”
The soil geochemical survey, meticulously designed with 400-metre-spaced lines and 100-metre-spaced samples, aims to target lithium while also evaluating the presence of base metals, gold, and nickel.
Special attention is being given to areas with known occurrences of these elements, employing more intensive sampling grids to ensure thorough exploration coverage.
The survey is anticipated to span three weeks, with assay results expected by the end of the quarter.
In parallel, a targeted rock sampling program is underway, focusing on outcropping pegmatites previously unexplored, alongside collecting more representative samples from known pegmatite locations.
This program is set to enhance the company’s understanding of the mineralisation present and is expected to conclude within a week, with results due near quarter’s end.
Adding to the exploration efforts, IEC has finalised plans for a high-resolution magnetic and LIDAR survey across the entire tenement, set to begin in mid-February.
This cutting-edge survey will provide invaluable data, aiding in the precise targeting of exploration efforts, with results anticipated in March.