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Lithium Plus Minerals Limited (ASX:LPM) has revealed promising findings from a re-evaluation of drilling data at its Spotted Wonder Project in the Northern Territory, discovering significant mineralisation rich in rubidium, lithium, beryllium, and other rare metals. The company intends to initiate field activities in Q3 2026 to map and sample several pegmatites across the project area, aiming to establish priority drill targets. Meanwhile, Lithium Plus remains committed to progressing its Lei DSO lithium development opportunity alongside this rare metals exploration initiative.
Key Highlights
- Lithium Plus Minerals Limited (LPM) has conducted a re-assessment of drilling data from the Spotted Wonder Project within its Arunta portfolio in the Northern Territory.
- Significant assay results reveal extensive near-surface rubidium intercepts, including 12m at 0.22% Rb8O from surface and 19m at 0.27% Rb8O from surface.
- The Delmore and Spotted Wonder pegmatites show enrichment in rubidium, lithium, beryllium, caesium, and tantalum, with large surface crystals of amblygonite, lepidolite, and beryl observed.
- Fieldwork scheduled for Q3 2026 will involve mapping and surface sampling across multiple pegmatites to identify priority drill targets.
- The company continues advancing the Lei DSO lithium development project, holding a granted mining lease and a recently updated mineral resource estimate.
Significant Rubidium Mineralisation at Delmore and Spotted Wonder Pegmatites
Lithium Plus Minerals has identified potentially valuable mineralisation at the Spotted Wonder and Delmore pegmatites within its Arunta project portfolio. A re-assessment of drilling data from the Delmore Prospect, initially drilled in 2018, has highlighted significant shallow rubidium mineralisation with continuity along strike. This re-modelling uncovered rubidium and beryllium mineralisation previously unexamined during the original lithium-focused 2018 drilling program.
Key assay results confirm wide, near-surface rubidium intercepts across multiple holes, including 12 metres at 0.22% Rb8O and 0.13% Li8O from surface in hole SWRC001, with a higher-grade 3-metre zone at 0.37% Rb8O and 0.19% Li8O. Hole SWRC005 returned 19 metres at 0.27% Rb8O from surface, including a 7-metre interval grading 0.46% Rb8O. These consistent shallow intercepts indicate mineralisation continuity and potential scale within the pegmatite system.
LCT-Type Pegmatite Classification and Rare Metal Enrichment
The Spotted Wonder and Delmore pegmatites are classified as moderately evolved and fractionated lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT)-type pegmatites, known for rare metal enrichment. Surface outcrops at Spotted Wonder display large, high-quality crystals of amblygonite, lepidolite, and beryl, indicating exposed mineralisation that can accelerate exploration and development timelines.
The mineral assemblage reflects a fractionated system enriched with rubidium, lithium, beryllium, caesium, and tantalum—elements associated with the rarest and most chemically evolved pegmatite zones. Notably, beryllium is classified as a critical mineral with specialized high-tech applications, valued for its high-temperature resistance and toughness in nuclear, electronic, and ceramic industries. This multi-element mineralisation suggests potential co-product or by-product credits in future development.
Q3 2026 Field Work Program and Prospect Prioritisation
Field work is planned for the third quarter of 2026 to expand on encouraging drilling results and historical data. The program will include mapping and rock chip geochemical sampling across multiple high-potential pegmatites to systematically assess mineralisation and define priority drill targets. This strategy enables evaluation of multiple prospects before committing to capital-intensive drilling.
In addition to Spotted Wonder and Delmore, the company will assess drill-ready prospects such as Polonis, Costean, and Saunders within the regionally prospective Alcoota pegmatite district of the Aileron Province. This district-scale exploration approach aims to identify the highest-potential targets across the broader pegmatite region.
Rubidium's Role and Specialty Alkali Metal Market Demand
Rubidium, a specialty alkali metal, is critical in high-precision timing, advanced electronics, and scientific research. It is primarily used in rubidium atomic clocks that provide stable, accurate timing for GPS, telecommunications, and data networks. The metal's unique physical properties underpin its essential role in frequency standards for precision timing applications.
Global positioning and telecommunications sectors rely heavily on rubidium atomic clocks, creating a defined market for rubidium production. The strategic importance of timing infrastructure in modern communications highlights the potential value of developing a rubidium supply source. Lithium Plus Minerals’ discovery of significant rubidium mineralisation at Spotted Wonder positions the project as a potential contributor to global supply, attracting interest from investors focused on rare metals and critical mineral supply chains.
Beryllium as a Critical Mineral with Advanced Industrial Uses
Beryllium identified in the pegmatites is classified as a critical mineral with specialized high-tech applications. Its metal, alloy, or oxide forms exhibit high-temperature resistance and toughness, making it valuable in nuclear, electronic, and ceramic industries where substitutes are limited.
As critical minerals gain importance in global supply chains driven by technology, aerospace, and defense demands, beryllium’s presence enhances the Spotted Wonder and Delmore pegmatites’ value proposition. The co-occurrence of beryllium with lithium and rubidium suggests potential for multi-element extraction, improving project economics and resource utilization typical of evolved pegmatite systems.
Geological and Regional Context of the Arunta Project
The Spotted Wonder Project is situated in the Alcoota region of the Mesoproterozoic Aileron Province within the Arunta Block, Northern Territory. Located near the northern structural boundary of the Aileron Province with the Neoproterozoic Georgina Basin, the area is geologically significant for pegmatite mineralisation. The Alcoota pegmatite district includes notable pegmatites at Utopia, Spotted Wonder, and Delmore, likely genetically linked to the Jinka Suite granites, providing a framework for mineralisation and exploration.
The Aileron Province features Mesoproterozoic rocks affected by complex deformation and metamorphism. Proximity to the Georgina Basin, a basin margin, supports pegmatite mineralisation related to intrusive activity. The classification of Spotted Wonder and Delmore as moderately evolved LCT-type pegmatites aligns with crystallisation from highly fractionated granitic melts, supporting exploration strategies and indicating further prospective pegmatites may exist regionally. The district-scale presence of multiple pegmatite centres underscores significant exploration upside beyond current prospects.
Lei DSO Lithium Development and Mining Lease Progress
Alongside exploration at Spotted Wonder, Lithium Plus Minerals is advancing the Lei DSO lithium development opportunity. The company holds a granted mining lease for the Lei deposit and recently updated its mineral resource estimate. Located approximately 70 kilometres from Darwin Port, the Lei project benefits from strategic logistics for lithium export.
Lei’s proximity to Darwin Port is advantageous for international market access. It is also adjacent to Core Lithium's (ASX:CXO) Finniss Lithium Operation, an active lithium mine, indicating established supply chain infrastructure and skilled labor availability. The company plans to lodge a Supplementary Environmental Referral in Q3 2026 to secure critical environmental approvals. Concurrently, economic evaluations of underground mining and DSO development options for Lei are underway.
Balanced Exploration Strategy Combining Lithium and Rare Metals
Lithium Plus Minerals pursues a dual-track strategy, advancing the Lei lithium development while exploring rare metals at Spotted Wonder. This enables focus on its core lithium asset while leveraging rare metals discoveries at Arunta. The company emphasizes its commitment to the low-cost Lei DSO lithium project and its flagship Bynoe Lithium Project, with Spotted Wonder’s rare metals exploration adding value within a diversified portfolio.
Describing Spotted Wonder as part of a diversified portfolio highlights management of multiple projects across commodities and regions, offering strategic flexibility and multiple value streams. Resource and capital allocation decisions will balance these initiatives. The timing of Q3 2026 fieldwork at Spotted Wonder alongside planned environmental filings for Lei reflects a coordinated timeline to advance exploration and development concurrently.
Upcoming Milestones and Exploration Schedule
The company’s near-term plans include lodging the Supplementary Environmental Referral for Lei in Q3 2026, a key step toward mining approvals. This process is essential for progressing toward production. Simultaneously, economic studies of underground and DSO mining options continue.
Fieldwork at Spotted Wonder is scheduled for Q3 2026, aligning with the Northern Territory’s exploration season. Activities will include mapping and sampling multiple pegmatites to refine drill targets. Subsequent drilling is anticipated after target prioritisation. Executive Chairman Dr Bin Guo highlighted that "the consistency of these intersections provides a strong foundation for the next phase of exploration and highlights the exciting opportunity this project represents," underscoring management’s confidence and commitment.
