Bradda Head Lithium engages drilling contractor for Wikieup

North America-focussed lithium development company Bradda Head announced on Wednesday that, as part of its fast-track development programme at its Arizona sedimentary assets, it had engaged drilling contractor Boart Longyear for a sonic drilling programme at the Wikieup project, starting early in the fourth quarter.

The AIM-traded firm said Wikieup is adjacent to Hawkstone Mining’s Big Sandy resource of 32.5 million tonnes at 1,850 parts of lithium per million.

As part of the fast-track development of its sedimentary lithium assets, Bradda said it had also accelerated its permitting at Wikieup, and expected all remaining drilling permits to be received early in the fourth quarter.

Drilling contractor Boart Longyear was described by Bradda as a “world-renowned” driller, with experience using sonic rigs and drilling in sedimentary deposits.

Sonic drilling rigs are more environmentally sensitive than diamond core drilling rigs, the company said, adding that sonic drilling also had superior recovery in soft sedimentary rocks compared to diamond core drilling.

Bradda was in the process of completing a drilling programme at its Burro Creek East asset where it had an inferred resource, with recent assay results demonstrating the potential for an increase in grade, tonnes and resource classification.

“We are delighted to have engaged Boart Longyear to begin our fast-track sedimentary drilling programme at Wikieup,” said chief executive officer Charles FitzRoy.

“They have real pedigree when it comes to drilling in sedimentary deposits, and their sonic drilling technology is industry-leading, so we are very optimistic of efficient recoveries from this programme.”

FitzRoy said that in addition, the sonic drilling technique's reduced water use and waste reduction made the firm;s operations more sustainable, meaning the engagement aligned well with Bradda Head's commitment to sustainability and to supplying the “electric vehicle revolution” in the most environmental way possible.

“We are excited to start drilling at our Wikieup Project, which is adjacent to Hawkstone's Big Sandy asset and has a resource of 32.5 million tonnes at 1,850 parts of lithium per million.

“Bradda is focussing a large part of its initial public offering budget at Wikieup.”

At 1159 BST, shares in Bradda Head Lithium were down 4.73% at 7.05p.