JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim-listed Kodal Minerals has received final drill results for the Ngoualana prospect at the Bougouni lithium project, in southern Mali, which show high-grade lithium mineralisation, the company announced on Tuesday.
The West Africa-focused mineral exploration and development company completed the major reverse circulation (RC) drilling programme at Bougouni in June and has released a series of market updates as the drilling results have been received.
The final assay results for drill hole KLRC055 include an intersection of 7 m at 1.52% lithium oxide (Li2O) from 79 m. This drill hole, located at the eastern end of the Ngoualana prospect, confirms the eastern extension and that the prospect remains open along strike and at depth.
Further drilling is planned and is expected to restart after the end of the wet season in southern Mali.
Meanwhile, the drill core from the five diamond drill holes at Ngoualana is being processed. Core from the first holes have been submitted to the laboratory for analysis and for the remaining holes being cut on site.
In addition to the analysis for Li2O, samples are being selected for additional metallurgical testing.
Kodal is continuing with its exploration programme, with work at Bougouni currently involving preparation for a ground geophysical survey designed to test if the structures hosting the mineralised pegmatite veins can be detected and delineated to assist in future drill targeting.
Additionally, the company continues with the metallurgical testing of the original samples that were sent to China to extend processing through to the production of a battery-grade lithium carbonate to confirm the specifications of the product.