Green Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX:GCM) has begun its maiden reverse circulation drilling program at the company’s flagship McIntosh Graphite Project in Western Australia.
The maiden drill program will consist of up to about 10,00 metres of reverse circulation drilling to test priority targets – some of which have never been drill tested – and diamond drilling for metallurgical and ore sorting test work.
The program is excepted to be completed by the end of June, while further drill holes have been planned to extend the strike and depth extensions of the Emperor deposit.
Previous test work has shown the Emperor deposit’s graphite has excellent electrochemical properties needed to make premium quality battery anode material.
GCM Chief Executive Officer Mark Lynch-Staunton said he was thrilled to announce the start of the drill program, as it marked a significant milestone for the company.
He said: “The exploration potential that lies ahead is substantial.
“By tapping into these unexplored graphite targets, we aim to solidify out position as a leading player in the graphite industry.”
The company’s management also recently returned from a successful visit to Europe and North America, where it discussed potential offtake and JV partner agreements to develop a downstream battery anode material plant using McIntosh graphite.
Priority works to advance the McIntosh project other than the maiden drill program include a: preliminary ore sorting study; metallurgical test work campaign; battery anode qualification test work; downstream processing facility scoping study, including a site selection study; and the delivery of an updated McIntosh upstream pre-feasibility study.