IronRidge pleased with progress at Cape Coast Lithium

IronRidge Resources updated the market on its activities at the Cape Coast Lithium portfolio in Ghana, West Africa on Thursday, reporting that the 4,684m reverse circulation (RC) exploration and resource drilling was completed at the Abonko target and Ewoyaa Lithium Project.

The AIM-traded firm said coarse visible spodumene intersections were returned at Abonko, with assays pending.

It also said a 1,000m diamond drilling (DD) programme was underway for density, metallurgical test-work sampling, geotechnical and RC drill hole twinning for resource estimation sign-off at Ewoyaa.

The company reported “significant” visible spodumene in the diamond drill core, which the board said provided confidence spodumene was the dominant lithium phase, with a simple process flow sheet envisioned.

Multiple high-priority targets were defined in the high-resolution helicopter magnetics and radiometrics geophysical survey completed over the Saltpond and Mankessim licenses, the board added.

It also confirmed that the drone survey was completed over the Ewoyaa and Abonko targets for a detailed digital terrain model (DTM), which would be used in resource estimation and project studies.

Ongoing pitting was continuing to define additional pegmatite targets adjacent to the Ewoyaa deposit, with a larger pitting and auger programme planned.

“We are pleased with the progress of field activities at the Cape Coast Lithium portfolio,” said chief executive officer and managing director Vincent Mascolo.

“We are advancing on multiple fronts including exploration and resource drilling, implementing metallurgical sampling and test-work programmes, and advancing our regional exploration programmes.”

Mascolo said coarse visible spodumene had been intersected in multiple RC drill holes at the Abonko target, while infill and extensional drilling at Ewoyaa continued to confirm spodumene mineralised pegmatites, with assays pending.

“Visual confirmation of crowded spodumene in metallurgical diamond drilling currently underway at Ewoyaa provides confidence that spodumene is our dominant lithium phase, and at depth.

“Review of the combined lithium LIBS geochemistry and recently acquired airborne geophysics has defined multiple high-priority pegmatite targets.

“The drone survey completed over the Ewoyaa and Abonko targets areas will provide a detailed DTM necessary for resource estimation and project studies.”