Lake Johnston Lithium Drilling Set for 4,600m Campaign After Resource Boost

Drilling Approvals Signal Next Phase at Lake Johnston

Charger Metals NL has received formal approvals to commence a 4,600-metre Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at its Lake Johnston Lithium and Gold Project in Western Australia. The program, scheduled to start in early October, will focus on seven priority lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatite targets across the Mt Day and Mt Gordon prospects. Notably, these targets have never been drill tested before, marking a significant step forward in the project’s exploration campaign.

This drilling initiative is entirely funded by Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Limited, under a farm-in agreement that allows Rio Tinto to earn up to a 75% interest in the project by funding exploration and feasibility studies. Charger Metals will manage the program, leveraging Rio Tinto’s financial backing to accelerate exploration without diluting shareholder value.

Building on Recent Resource Success

The drilling program follows Charger’s recent announcement of a maiden Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for the Medcalf Lithium Deposit, which stands at 8.2 million tonnes grading 1.0% lithium oxide (Li2O). Adjacent to Medcalf, an exploration target at Medcalf West has been defined, estimated between 3 to 5 million tonnes at grades ranging from 1.0% to 1.4% Li2O. These figures underscore the significant lithium potential within the Lake Johnston corridor.

Charger’s Managing Director Bryan Dixon highlighted the strategic importance of the drilling campaign, emphasizing the opportunity to test high-priority lithium-in-soils anomalies and outcropping pegmatites at the Whitten target within the Mt Day prospect. The Mt Gordon prospect also features six priority targets defined by lithium, gold, and niobium soil anomalies, which will be systematically drilled to assess their resource potential.

Strategic Partnership with Rio Tinto

The farm-in agreement with Rio Tinto, executed in January 2024, represents a significant endorsement of Charger’s Lake Johnston project. Rio Tinto’s commitment to sole fund a $1.1 million exploration budget for 2025 reflects confidence in the project’s potential to yield commercially viable lithium deposits. This partnership not only provides financial muscle but also access to Rio Tinto’s technical expertise and operational experience in battery metals exploration.

Lake Johnston’s location within the Yilgarn Province, a well-known lithium province in Western Australia, adds to its appeal. The project sits near other major lithium developments, including the Earl Grey (Mt Holland) Lithium Project, which is one of Australia’s largest hard-rock lithium operations.

Broader Lithium Exploration Portfolio

Beyond Lake Johnston, Charger Metals also holds the Bynoe Lithium Project in the Northern Territory, situated close to Core Lithium’s Finniss Project, which boasts a substantial lithium resource. While Bynoe remains in earlier stages of exploration, its proximity to established lithium mines adds strategic value to Charger’s portfolio.

As Charger advances its drilling program at Lake Johnston, the market will be watching closely for assay results that could confirm new lithium resources and potentially elevate the company’s standing in the competitive battery metals sector.