Aruma set to drill test WA lithium play

Aruma Resources has received the tick of approval to drill its Mount Deans lithium-tantalum project after its “program of work” was approved for actioning. A heritage survey is now the final hurdle before Aruma can unleash a rig at the exciting WA lithium project. The project sits within WA’s  ‘lithium corridor’ 120 kilometres south of Kalgoorlie that has previously identified spodumene mineralisation along 1.4km strike.

The Mount Deans project is host to previously identified pegmatites swarms over a strike length of 1km.

WA’s ‘lithium corridor’ in south-east WA hosts multiple significant hard-rock lithium projects, including Mount Marion, Bald Hill and Bundania. The lithium corridor is located just 10km south of the mining town of Norseman and just 1km east of the Goldfields-Esperance highway and railway line. The suite of rocks and structures identified in the rest of the lithium corridor is also present in the Mount Deans lithium project according to the company.

Aruma’s maiden RC drill program at the Mount Deans lithium project aims to test the intersection of an interpreted pegmatite chamber or ‘cauldron’. The program consists of 12 drill holes with an approximate 50-120 metre spacing to a maximum depth of 200m.

The initial phase of drilling is scheduled to take approximately one week.

Mount Deans is exquisitely located adjacent to the Coolgardie-Esperance highway and rail infrastructure that provides direct access to the Port of Esperance rail hub. The company plans to investigate the feasibility of direct shipping once maiden drill results have returned.

Aruma says the geology at Mount Deans is potentially analogous to the Liontown Resources Kathleen Valley lithium-tantalum project in the mid-West region of WA. Spodumene-bearing pegmatites host lithium mineralisation in the area.

Rock chip samples containing high-grade lithium oxide, tantalum and other rare earth elements were reported from Mount Deans within the swarm of 71 recognised pegmatites covering 4.5km by 1.5km.

The pegmatites have a quartz poor upper portion that hosts the cassiterite and tantalum mineralisation with deeper pegmatites in the project area interpreted to be closer to the main ‘cauldron’ that may host spodumene- rich material, potentially suitable for direct shipping. This style of mineralisation is also noted at the Liontown owned Buldania and Kathleen Valley lithium deposits.

Aruma Resources Managing Director Peter Schwann said: “The Mt Deans Project is an exciting lithium and tantalum exploration opportunity, which is 100% owned by Aruma and hosts 1.4km of strike, including pegmatite intersections up to 20m thick in historic drilling, and spodumene. With the PoW for drilling now approved, we eagerly anticipate the commencement of the first phase of drilling.”

As part of the program of work approval process, a flora and fauna survey was submitted that returned positive results.

Lithium is red hot right now and if the various commentators are right about where the electric vehicle market is heading, it doesn’t look like abating anytime soon.

Aruma’s project is well located and already has lots of the early geological signs that are likely to quicken the pulse of a field geologist – now for some action with the drill bit.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: matt.birney@businessnews.com.au