Thick Lithium-Bearing Sediments Discovered At Kibby Basin

Marquee Resources Limited (ASX: MQR) (“MQR or The Company”) is pleased to announce results from its Kibby Basin Lithium Project 2022 drill campaign. Assay results received to date indicate thick sequences of lithium- bearing sediments at the Project, with up to 924 ppm Li from the two exploration boreholes (KB 22-01 and KB 22- 02) that were completed.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Company has successfully tested the magnetotelluric anomaly at the Kibby Basin Lithium Project and the results from two boreholes (KB 22-01 and KB 22-02) have confirmed high levels of lithium-bearing sediments along with dissolved lithium in the groundwater.
  
• Mineralised intervals containing up to 924 ppm lithium with greater than 300 ppm lithium over thicknesses in excess of 450m (1475 ft) have been identified in core samples of clay-rich playa sediments.
• Lithium mineralisation is fairly consistent in both thickness and grade in the two boreholes, which are 2000 m apart, suggesting extensive lateral occurrence across the basin.
• Drill hole KB 22-01
  
  • Assay results of drill core returned lithium solids concentrations of up to 924 ppm Li with mineralisation open at depth.
    
  • Below the contact between unconsolidated lakebed sediments and more lithified sediments, lithium content increased significantly and drilling intersected a 79 m (260 ft) thick section from 362-441 m (1188-1448 ft) averaging 771 ppm Li with a high of 924 ppm Li.
  • The upper high lithium zone was contained within a very thick zone, averaging 383 ppm Li over 487 m (1597 ft) continuing to the bottom of the hole. The lithium mineralisation is open at depth.
• Drill hole KB 22-02
  • Encountered anomalous lithium values above the hard gravel and significant lithium enrichment below - with all mineralisation remaining open at depth.
  • A thick zone of 169 m (555 ft) averaging 558 ppm Li with a high of 860 Li lay below the contact.
  • Lithium mineralisation continued to the bottom of the hole with an average of 379 ppm Li over 451m (1478 ft) continuing to the bottom of the hole. The lithium mineralisation is open at depth.
  • Dissolved lithium was identified in the groundwater at depths generally correlating with the lithium bearing sediments.
• Following these significant results, Marquee has commenced planning for a 2023 drill campaign designed to potentially establish a JORC resource over the project.

Core Assay Results

Hole KB 22-01 was drilled as a vertical borehole to a depth of 880 m (2888 ft). The hole was drilled as an air-core pre-collar to a depth of 329 (1080 ft), followed by HQ core, reduced to NQ core at 408 m (1338 ft).

As expected, analysis of cuttings from the upper non-core section of the hole indicated weakly anomalous lithium content, ranging from a few 10s of ppm to 154 ppm Li. Drilling switched to core immediately below a hard gravel unit, which forms the boundary between unconsolidated pluvial-fluvial sediments and partially lithified equivalents with substantial tuffaceous (ash) content below. A representative sampling of approximately 10% of the core was split in half using a diamond saw and one split was delivered to Paragon Geochemical in Sparks, NV, an ISO/IEC 17025-2017 certified laboratory, for 31-element ICP analysis, including lithium.

Lithium content increased significantly below the contact, with a 79 m (260 ft)-thick section from 362-441 m (1188-1448 ft) averaging 771 ppm Li with a high of 924 ppm Li. The upper high lithium zone was contained within a very thick zone, averaging 383 ppm Li over 487 m (1597 ft) continuing to the bottom of the hole. The lithium mineralisation is open at depth.

Hole KB 22-02 was drilled as a vertical borehole to a depth of 915.6 m (3004 ft). Similar to the first hole, KB 22-02 was drilled as a mud-rotary pre-collar to a depth of 365 m (1198 ft), followed by HQ and NQ core.

As with the first hole, KB 22-02 encountered anomalous lithium values above the hard gravel and significant lithium enrichment below. A 169 m (555 ft)-thick zone averaging 558 ppm Li with a high of 860 Li lay below the contact. Lithium mineralisation continued to the bottom of the hole with an average of 379 ppm Li over an interval of 451 m (1478 ft). Mineralisation remains open at depth.

Both KB 22-01 and KB 22-02 were drilled to test a thick MT conductor. The start of the high lithium zone in both holes corresponds with the approximate top of the conductor. Neither hole drilled to the bottom of the conductor or the bottom of the potential aquifer zone within the playa-filling sediments.

The results of the core sampling are presented in Table 1.

Preliminary Groundwater Assay Results

Hole KB 22-01 was sampled for lithium-bearing groundwater in the pre-collar interval to a depth of 305 m (1000 ft), and the HQ and NQ core intervals to 853 m (2797 ft). Twenty-three intervals were sampled including two long interval, large purge-volume samples and a duplicate for quality assurance. Sample intervals were purged of drilling fluids and drill cuttings prior to sampling. A multiparameter chemistry meter was used to periodically monitor the purge water general chemistry and ensure formation groundwater was sampled. The general chemical parameters of water samples were also measured at the time of sample collection.

Samples were sent to a laboratory where they were analysed for a wide range of total and dissolved metals (including Lithium), anions, and general parameters. The total metals analysis provided a cumulative assay of both the soluble (dissolved) and particulate concentration of Lithium, and other metals, in the sampled water. The dissolved metals analysis reported only the soluble metals in solution.

Groundwater samples from twelve intervals of the upper pre-collar section of the hole were collected by means of airlifting groundwater from a short interval of exposed borehole. The pre-collar hole samples were delivered to ALS Geochemistry in Reno, NV, an ISO 45001-2018 certified laboratory, for 53-element trace element ICP analysis of dissolved metals. The trace element analysis is suitable for water with a low total dissolved solids (TDS) content (< 1%) and has a lithium detection limit of 0.1 μg/L.

Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Marquee Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.