Bradda Head Lithium Ltd Mobilization of Drilling & Ancillary Equipment

RNS Number : 3621F

Bradda Head Lithium Ltd

04 March 2024

 

 

 

4 March 2024

 

Bradda Head Lithium Ltd

("Bradda Head", "BHL" or the "Company")

 

Mobilization of Drilling and Ancillary Equipment to Basin Project, Targeting 2.5MT LCE

 

 

Bradda Head Lithium Ltd (AIM:BHL, TSX-V:BHLI), the North America-focused lithium development group, is pleased to announce the mobilization of equipment to the Basin Project, Arizona to initiate Resource expansion drilling with a six-hole program designed to significantly expand the Company's lithium in clay Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"). This follows the successful 2023 sonic drilling campaign which saw the "tripling" of BHL's Inferred and Indicated MRE at Basin. This six-hole program will build upon Bradda Head's 1.085MT Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) by drilling holes an additional 1.2 kilometers towards the north on newly permitted drill holes. The objective of this program is to add a minimum of 1.5MT LCE, surpassing the benchmark of 2.5MT LCE which will trigger the final US$3 million royalty payment from Lithium Royalty Company (LRC) to Bradda Head. The drilling program is anticipated to finish towards the end of April, 2024.

 

Program Summary:

 

·    Six-hole core drilling program of approximately 8,800 feet (2,680m) planned

·    Program anticipated to expand LCE from 1.085MT to >2.5MT

·    Step-out drill holes at 500 to 700m spacing to maintain Inferred category of MRE

·    One hole will be drilled into Precambrian basement in center of gravity low

·    Gravity low may represent extensively thick clays both in the Upper, Lower, and Basal Red-Beds

·    Holes will test Lower Clay to expand tonnage potential and thicker sequence correlative with gravity low which also has the potential for exceptional lithium grades

 

Ian Stalker, Executive Chairperson, commented:

"After we completed the MRE in September 2023, we quickly realised the unbridled potential to continue expansion of this important lithium-in-clay resource in Arizona. Our geologists developed a plan, designed a new drilling program and promptly engaged the BLM for an expansion of our Basin North permit. We thank the BLM for delivering a positive decision and look forward to embarking on this exciting drill program.

 

Not only are we hoping for sizeable expansion of this resource, but are estimating the resource will grow from the current 1.085 MT of LCE  to over 2.5 MT, which will trigger an important US$3 million royalty payment from LRC. We are confident this will be a successful programme, and, with the royalty payment, the Company will be in an excellent position for the remainder of 2024 during the current softened lithium market."

 

 

 

 

General Background

The Company is building upon the 2023 MRE and NI-43-101 complaint report completed by SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd and reported on 28 September, 2023. In this prior PR, the Company reported the following in Table 1 below:

 

Table 1.

Classification	Domain	Tonnes	Mean Grade		Contained Metal
		Mt	Li (ppm)	K (%)	LCE (kt)	K (kt)
Indicated	Upper Clay	11	720	3.5	42	380
	Upper Clay HG	6	1350	3.2	43	190
	Lower Clay	-	-	-	-	-
	SubTotal	17	940	3.4	85	570
Inferred	Upper Clay	143	790	2.7	600	3,800
	Upper Clay HG	48	1290	3.1	330	1,500
	Lower Clay	19	690	2.8	70	530
	SubTotal	210	900	2.8	1,000	5,800
o  Mineral Resource statement has an effective date of 1 September 2023. o  The Mineral Resource is reported using a cut-off grade of 550 ppm Li and is constrained to an optimised open pit shell, which was generated using the following assumptions: lithium carbonate metal prices of 22,000 USD/tLCE; State of Arizona royalty (selling cost) of 6%; operating costs of 40 USD/ tore; Li recovery of 72%; mining dilution and recovery of 0% and 100%; and pit slope angle of 45°. o  Tonnages are reported in metric units. o  Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade and contained metal content which are not considered material. o  Conversion factor of Li metal to lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) = 5.323 o  The figures above are reported on a gross basis given Bradda's 100% interest in the property

 

This new programme is targeting significantly thicker clay sequences, consistent if not higher lithium grades and thicker lower clay sequence, with the potential to also discover new clays within the nearly 2km² gravity low.

 

Bradda Head Lithium received an affirmative decision from the BLM on February 28^th with confirmation that it could conduct exploration drilling on the Basin North notice of intent (NOI) amendment and based on a reclamation bond increase with permission to proceed on 3.8 acres of surface disturbance. Earth moving equipment was mobilized to prepare drill sites and experienced core drilling contractors brought in to conduct the drilling.

 

Like previous drilling programs conducted at Basin, drill holes will be vertical, but when clay horizons are encountered the Company's plan is to convert to a triple tube core capture technique which ensures high recovery and provides the Company with many options for sampling, density measurements, and geotechnical data for future studies. 

 

Figure 1. Basin Drill Plan for 2024, prior drilling, geology, land, mineral resource boundaries.

 

For further information please visit the Company's website: www.braddaheadltd.com.

 

Qualified Person (BHL)

Joey Wilkins, B.Sc., P.Geo., is Chief Operating Officer at BHL and the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. Mr. Wilkins is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.Sc. in Geology with more than 38 years of experience in mineral exploration and is a qualified person under the AIM Rules and a Qualified Person as defined under NI-43-101. Mr. Wilkins consents to the inclusion of the technical information in this release and context in which it appears.

 

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No. 596/2014) AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION.

 

ENDS

 

 

 

Contact:

 

Bradda Head Lithium Limited	[phone]
Ian Stalker, Executive Chairperson Denham Eke, Finance Director
Beaumont Cornish (Nomad)	[phone]
James Biddle / Roland Cornish
Panmure Gordon (Joint Broker)	[phone]
Hugh Rich
Shard Capital (Joint Broker)	[phone]
Damon Heath / Isabella Pierre
Red Cloud (North American Broker)	[phone]
Joe Fars
Tavistock (Financial PR)	+ 44 20 7920 3150
Nick Elwes / Adam Baynes	[e-mail]

 

 

 

About Bradda Head Lithium Ltd.

Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. is a North America-focused lithium development group. The Company currently has interests in a variety of projects, the most advanced of which are in Central and Western Arizona: The Basin Project (Basin East Project, and the Basin West Project) and the Wikieup Project.

 

The Basin East Project has an Indicated Mineral Resource of 17 Mt at an average grade of 940 ppm Li and 3.4% K for a total of 85 kt LCE and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 210 Mt at an average grade of 900 ppm Li and 2.8% K (potassium) for a total of 1.09 Mt LCE. In the rest of the Basin Project SRK has determined an Exploration Target of 250 to 830 Mt of material grading between 750 to 900 ppm Li, which is equivalent to a range of between 1 to 4 Mt contained LCE. The Group intends to continue to develop its three phase one projects in Arizona, whilst endeavouring to unlock value at its other prospective pegmatite and brine assets in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. All of Bradda Head's licences are held on a 100% equity basis and are in close proximity to the required infrastructure. Bradda Head is quoted on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange with the ticker of BHL and on the TSX Venture Exchange with a ticker of BHLI.

  

 

Technical Glossary

 

Kt	Thousand tonnes
Ppm	Parts per million
Exploration Target	An estimate of the exploration potential of a mineral deposit in a defined geological setting where the statement or estimate, quoted as a range of tonnes and a range of grade (or quality), relates to mineralisation for which there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource.
Inferred Mineral Resource	That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade (or quality) are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological grade (or quality) continuity. It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes.  An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to an Ore Reserve.  It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
Indicated Mineral Resource	That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade (or quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.  Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes, and is sufficient to assume geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of observation where data and samples are gathered.
MRE	Mineral Resource Estimate

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "intends to", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, following: The Company's objectives, goals, or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required regulatory, governmental, environmental or other project approvals; political risks; future operating and capital costs, timelines, permit timelines, the market and future price of and demand for lithium, and the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including the local levels of government; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates; an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains; and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDARplus. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

 

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