Astute Metals Uncovers Two Lithium Zones Beneath Cover at Red Mountain
Astute Metals has intersected two distinct lithium mineralisation zones in its latest drill-hole at the Red Mountain Project, Nevada, reinforcing its Exploration Target and geological model.
- Two lithium zones intersected in drill-hole RMDD005 under alluvial cover
- High-grade lithium intervals of 9.1m @ 1,350ppm and 8.3m @ 1,210ppm Li
- Mineralisation remains open down-dip and along strike
- Results support the planned maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate in 2025
- Assays pending from four additional drill-holes
Exploration Breakthrough Under Cover
Astute Metals NL (ASX: ASE) has reported promising assay results from its second diamond drill-hole, RMDD005, at the Red Mountain Lithium Project in Nevada, USA. This hole successfully intersected two separate lithium mineralisation zones beneath a significant layer of alluvial gravel, marking the first time ‘blind’ mineralisation has been confirmed at the project.
The upper zone returned 9.1 metres at 1,350 parts per million (ppm) lithium within a broader 80.8-metre interval averaging 860ppm lithium. Meanwhile, the lower zone intersected 8.3 metres at 1,210ppm lithium within a 15.9-metre broader zone averaging 955ppm lithium. These results validate the company’s geological model and Exploration Target announced earlier this year.
Implications for Project Scale and Confidence
Located in central-eastern Nevada, the Red Mountain Project is emerging as a significant lithium claystone deposit, with mineralisation confirmed over nearly six kilometres of strike length. The successful intersection of mineralisation under cover not only reduces exploration risk but also supports the interpretation that higher-grade zones may be concentrated in the northern part of the project.
Astute’s Chairman, Tony Leibowitz, highlighted the importance of these results in underpinning confidence ahead of the maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate planned for later in 2025. The drilling results also complement previous surface sampling and metallurgical testwork, which indicated high lithium leachability and potential for beneficiation.
Next Steps and Market Context
Assay results from four additional drill-holes completed in the April 2025 campaign are pending and expected by the end of the financial year. These will be integrated with existing data to refine the geological model and guide further drilling plans. Given the current lithium carbonate price environment, with benchmark prices around US$9,186 per tonne, the project’s potential economic significance is underscored.
While the true widths of mineralisation and downhole survey validations remain to be confirmed, the latest findings mark a pivotal step in advancing Red Mountain from exploration towards resource definition.
Bottom Line?
Astute Metals’ latest drilling success sharpens the focus on Red Mountain’s lithium potential as it moves closer to defining a resource.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pending assays from the remaining drill-holes influence the overall resource model?
- What is the expected timeline and confidence level for the maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate?
- Could metallurgical testwork results further enhance the project’s economic viability?
